SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGED KNOWLEDGE NETWORK:
ROLE AND REMIT OF SOCIAL SERVICES KNOWLEDGE
BOARD August 2011
1. Background
1.1 The Social Services Managed Knowledge Network (MKN) was established in
2008 to help embed knowledge in planning, policy and practice across the social
services sector. An MKN is a group of organisations which undertake to work and
learn together to:

Support a shared vision and values centred on translation of knowledge into
practice.

Define and implement a
common vision.

Share information and knowledge across organisations

Continuously improve the management of knowledge within their own
organisations. This includes education and training to improve knowledge
management within their organizations
strategy and action plan designed to support this
1.2 Sharing and using knowledge in these ways is central to the confident, competent
and valued workforce described in Changing Lives, and underpins the policies of
self-directed support and personalisation.
1.3 Since 2008, the Social Services MKN has been instrumental in developing and
implementing the national knowledge management strategy Sharing Knowledge,
Improving Practice, Changing Lives (NES and IRISS, 2010) and in delivering Social
Services Knowledge Scotland (SSKS www.ssks.org.uk) as a national gateway to
knowledge for the sector. This strategy ends in March 2012, so that a new strategy
and action plan need to be take effect from April 2012 onwards.
1.4 From December 2010, the former MKN Steering Group was reconfigured to form
the basis of a Knowledge Board with a focus. strategic and business planning. This
Role and Remit document finalises that reconfiguration process. It emphasises that,
in order for the Knowledge Board to take responsibility for delivering national
strategy, it needs senior representation at strategic level from all key stakeholder
groups. It requires Knowledge Board Board members to take responsibility for twoway communication with their parent organisations and networks.
2. Purpose of Knowledge Board
To act as a central forum for strategic planning of knowledge management for social
services, and to progress implementation of the national strategy.
2.1 Responsibilities
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SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGED KNOWLEDGE NETWORK:
ROLE AND REMIT OF SOCIAL SERVICES KNOWLEDGE
BOARD August 2011
The Knowledge Board will:
1. Advise on, guide and support implementation of the knowledge management
strategy Sharing Knowledge, Improving Practice, Changing Lives (NES and
IRISS, 2010), both locally and nationally, to end of March 2012 when the formal
lifespan of this strategy ends.
2. Support and advise NES, IRISS, SSSC and ADSW in collaborative definition and
implementation of a new knowledge management strategy, action plan and
associated business plan for social services, to take effect from April 2012
onwards.
3. Ensure that each member organisation or group delivers a knowledge into action
plan that reflects the principles and goals of the national strategy.
4. Discuss and advise on strategic issues relating to knowledge management
arising from national and local developments.
5. Capture and respond to user feedback on knowledge management
developments, including Social Services Knowledge Scotland.
6. Ensure that the principles of streamlining, consolidation, best value and
sustainability are reflected in the national knowledge management strategy.
2.2 NES, SSSC, IRISS and ADSW will communicate to the Knowledge Board the
details of management of resource allocated by Scottish Government for delivery of
the strategy, and will each be directly accountable to Scottish Government for that
spend.
3. Membership of Knowledge Board
3.1 The following organisations and groups should each nominate a member to
represent their strategic perspective and interests. Members are responsible for twoway communication with their parent bodies and stakeholders regarding
developments and proposals.
ADSW (Chair)
SSSC
Care Inspectorate
IRISS
NHS Education for Scotland
Improvement Service
COSLA
CCPS
Scottish Government
Scottish Care
Higher Education
Further Education
Communication with service users will be through the service user forums of member
organisations.
3.2 Project groups will be formed as required to support individual pieces of work
within the strategic action plan, drawing upon the Centres of Excellence and other
stakeholder representatives as appropriate.
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SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGED KNOWLEDGE NETWORK:
ROLE AND REMIT OF SOCIAL SERVICES KNOWLEDGE
BOARD August 2011
4. Communication and reporting
4.1 The Knowledge Board will provide progress updates and reports to the
NES/SSSC Strategy Group. Strategy , business planning and resource allocation will
be signed off by the relevant Scottish Government sponsor.
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