Newcastle Gateshead Strategic Group
Terms of Reference
Programme Background
In January 2013 Changing Lives, along with Mental Health Concern and Aquila Way,
were successfully appointed by the Big Lottery Fund to lead its Fulfilling Lives
Programme for Newcastle and Gateshead. In the last 6 months the core partnership
has been shaping and developing the vision for the programme. The partnership is
now responsible for developing a business plan for submission to the Big Lottery Fund
at the end of this year. If approved this BIG Lottery fund will provide £5.45 million for
activity over a period of 8 years.
The focus of the programme is on those people who often experience a combination of
at least three of the following four problems; homelessness; re-offending; problematic
substance misuse; and mental ill health. These individuals are often excluded from the
direct support they need. Our goal is to improve and better coordinate services to
support people across Newcastle and Gateshead living with multiple and complex
needs. To see people for the potential they have, rather than for their problems.
Purpose and Aim
The overall purpose of the Strategic group is to ensure senior-level strategic
commitment to improving and or changing service provision to people with complex
needs and organisational buy-in to the Fulfilling Lives programme in Newcastle and
Gateshead. The Group will act as a ‘critical friend’ (Appreciative Enquiry) and oversee
the conversion of the Fulfilling Lives vision into an achievable action plan which makes
a difference to individuals.
The aims of the Group are to:
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Provide encouragement, advice and guidance on the development,
implementation and delivery of the Fulfilling Lives programme to ensure that it
fits into the broader strategic approach to meeting the needs of local people in
Newcastle and Gateshead with complex needs.
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Ensure that the Fulfilling Lives programme does not duplicate but complements
any existing work programmes that are being delivered across Newcastle and
Gateshead.
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Ensure that there is a true partnership approach to the development of the
strategic vision for the Fulfilling Lives programme and make links between
health, care and housing.
Help orchestrate the decision-making processes in each of our organisation so
that systems change is consistent.
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Help manage the inter-face with elected representatives.
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Facilitate and support access to resources and information that are available
across statutory and non-statutory organisations across Newcastle and
Gateshead that will support the development and evaluation of the programme
and identify cash savings and opportunities to end duplication.
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Receive and consider information about the progress of the programme and
provide a forum for discussion.
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Ensure that the needs of service users are listened to at a strategic level and
are central to the vision for the programme.
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Consider how services might be commissioned in a more integrated way
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Identify and address any arising issues or areas of concern at a senior level.
Membership
The Group has representation from the statutory and voluntary sectors, covering the
four main areas of need of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health and
offending. The Board is convened by Changing Lives.
Membership of the Board at August 2016 is as follows:
 Independent Chair- Sir Paul Ennals
 Ollie Batchelor (Executive Director, Changing Lives)
 Brendan Hill (CEO Mental Health Concern)
 CEO Oasis Aquila Housing (Currently vacant until September)
 Rachel Baillie (Director of Commissioning, Newcastle City Council)
 Alice Wiseman (Director of Public Health, Gateshead Council)
 Elizabeth Saunders (Interim Director Commissioning and Quality Assurance
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Care Wellbeing and Learning, Gateshead Council)
Joy Evans (Public Health Programme Lead, Gateshead Council)
Julie Dhuny (Head of Commissioning, Offender Health North East)
Dr Rajesh Nadkharni (Executive Medical Director, NTW)
Dr Guy Pilkington (Chair of Newcastle CCG )
Dave Gardiner ( Director of Operations/Deputy Chief executive, Northumbria
Probation Trust)
Scott Hall (Chief Superintendent Northumbria Police)
Chris Dunwoody (Partnership Manager, Big Lottery)
Accountability
Board members will:
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Bring senior-level strategic commitment of their organisation to improving and
or changing service provision for people with complex and multiple needs in
Newcastle and Gateshead
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Provide strategic support for the effective development and implementation of
complex needs work across Newcastle and Gateshead, with Changing Lives as
the lead Partner/Accountable Organisation, in line with BIG’s Fulfilling Lives
programme.
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Be committed to working in a transparent partnership.
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Ensure that service user involvement and participation is central to the vision
for the programme.
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Seek to ensure that the strategic aims and objectives of the programme are
supported by all appropriate and relevant organisations across Newcastle and
Gateshead.
Working Methods
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The Group has agreed that it will meet 4 times a year
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Topics for the agenda will be generated by Board members in discussion with
Changing Lives
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Meeting papers will be circulated, by e-mail, at least one week in advance of
the meetings.
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Secretariat for the Board and organisation of the meetings will be provided by
Changing Lives.
In agreeing to the points in this Terms of Reference document, all members commit to
prioritising their involvement in the Strategic Group and contributing to its success.
August 2016