Local Involvement Networks (LINks) FAQ
- What is the role of a LINk?
- Who makes up a LINk?
- What are the powers of a LINk?
- How will a LINk be set up?
- When will LINks go live?
What is the role of a LINk?
The role of a LINk is to:
o Encourage and support more people to get involved in shaping local care services; from helping to decide what services should be commissioned, to influencing the way they are run.
o Actively canvas every section of the community for their views and experiences of local care services
o Provide the community with a mechanism for monitoring and reviewing local care services and the ability to hold them to account
o Tell those who commission, run and scrutinise local care services, what local people have recommended to help improve services
Who makes up a LINk?
LINks are likely to be slightly different depending on the local structures that already exist but they are likely to be made up:
o representatives from existing local community and voluntary organisations, carer groups and those who already campaign on behalf of the people who use care services
o representatives from different sections of the community - such as different ethnic groups
o interested individuals who want to get involved in different ways, from those who have the time to help lead a LINk, to those who just want to regularly contribute their views
What are the powers of a LINk?
LINks will have specific powers to enable them to improve services. They should be able to:
o enter specific types of services and view the care provided
o ask for information and expect a response within a specific timescale
o make recommendations and expect a response within a specific timescale
o refer matters to the local Overview and Scrutiny Committee and expect a response
How will a LINk be set up?
Each local authority (with social services responsibilities) will receive funding for a LINk. Each authority will be expected to contract a 'host' organisation to establish and support a LINk in the local authority area. The LINk will be independent of any government organisation with its own board and decision making process. The host will be accountable to the LINk.
Each local authority (with social services responsibilities) will receive funding for a LINk. Each authority will be expected to contract a 'host' organisation to establish and support a LINk in the local authority area. The LINk will be independent of any government organisation with its own board and decision making process. The host will be accountable to the LINk.