What We Do

Management Consultancy

Our approach is to provide tailor made solutions to each job. We have extensive experience of what works but we do not bring an ‘off the shelf’ or desk top based product. We are a solutions based group and we develop and deliver solutions through listening carefully to what we are told about the outcomes that are required. We work with people on the ground to shape the programme of work. We do not ‘do to’ people, we work ‘alongside’ and ‘with’ people transferring knowledge and experience. We are very proud of our successful track record; we leave the task only when we have transferred the skills and competencies to sustain improvement beyond our programme of work. This approach is built in from the beginning.

The national agenda
Our knowledge and experience help us to understand the national agenda and the pace at which social and health care agencies are expected to deliver improved models of service and performance. We have an in depth grasp of the commissioning, performance management and practice functions underpinning the way modern services are delivered and our skill is in interpreting policy and performance drivers into outcomes for children, families, and adults living in local communities.

The service user at the centre
We are focused on the service user as the centre of what we do and we are expert in consultation and 'enabling people to ‘have their say’ and to influence and shape services. We work across the UK and often with diverse communities and groups. We are experienced in sharing ways to improve inclusive practice and to engage hard to reach groups or minority ethnic communities. We work with very large groups in conference or road show settings, but we also work in one-to-one and small group settings where improved management skills or mentoring is needed.

Quality Assurance
Whether we deliver the work programme through a single director of through associate teams led by a director the quality assurance and control is with the Directors of Concord Associates. We are proud of the standard of our work and our many repeat assignments where customers have been very pleased with the quality of our work.

Features of our approach

• ‘Working with’ and’ listening to’ our customers
• Meeting policy, best practice and legal requirements
• Meeting performance expectations
• Drawing on research evidence and designing research to develop best practice and high quality services
• Consulting with stakeholders whose services are being evaluated or changed
• Transferring skills to staff and embedding these in the organisation
• Improving access to services and promoting equality of opportunity
• Working at the interface between statutory and voluntary and private sectors to deliver whole systems services
• High standards of quality assurance and control

Voluntary and Private Sector

• Business and project planning
• Development of funding strategy and income generation
• Feasibility studies and identifying options
• Service evaluation and Improvement - children, adults and disability services
• Development of strategic plans across whole systems
• Mentoring and staff support
• Training and staff development
• International Development work

Central and Local Government

• Performance Improvement and delivery of national performance standards
• Service evaluation and cost/quality balance assessment
• Professional practice improvement - children's services and adults; assessment, care management, and safeguarding
• Establishing and improving service commissioning and joint commissioning
• Risk management and mitigation
• Developing inter-agency and cross-council partnership working
• Staff development and assistance with recruitment and retention
• Senior manager mentoring
• Service and practice audits
• Preparation for inspections and post inspection action plans
• Delivering and scoping the national External Support agenda
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Higher Education and Research

• Undertaking research and sharing findings in reports and professional journals
• Screening and providing individual support for students with dyslexia
• Joint Training for students and tutors concerned with supporting students with dyslexia
• University Tutoring and Lecturing
• Developing practice learning opportunities for social work students on the social work degree

All Sectors

• Project management and control
• Negotiating service agreements and contracts
• Contract monitoring and review
• Service mapping
• Integration of services across sectors and the statutory and voluntary interface