University of Bristol Annie Hudson Strategic Director Children

University of Bristol Annie Hudson Strategic Director Children, Young People and Skills Bristol City Council

Maximising expertise • Local government perspectives • Political and professional negotiations • Changing times: seismic policy + resource changes! • Personal journey • Developing a shared ‘narrative’

Local Govt needs • Think out of box: challenge status quo: • News from e’where • What is to be done: more than critique • Cognisant of audiences + languages • Speed, flexibility + what’s in it for you? • Understand ‘territories’ + political drivers

Vehicles for using ‘experts’ • Supporting evidence based policy + practice, • Strategic partnerships • Formal expert ‘roles’ – e. g. . Scrutiny commissions, corporate parenting panel • ‘Results’ • Adding value, professional ‘capital’ to projects • Enhancing capability + competence • Action / research/ action……improvement cycle

Managing challenges + tensions ? • Colliding ‘diaries’ + organisational needs • ‘Town and gown’: stereotypes + realities? • Pragmatism vs purity of the ‘issue’ • Making the case: when + why experts ? • Good practice to make a difference:

An example or two • Corporate parenting – adviser + antidote to officer ‘bias’, evidence from outside • Education transitions research • Research in Practice : assessment + early intervention : what works

Conclusion • All ad hoc? But hard times – priorities? • Using expertise in an electronic age? • Knowing what expertise is ‘out there’ • Shared success ‘stories’ : making a difference