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If you are preparing for CPA/JAR you’ll know just how much work is involved! We can work with you to add capacity where and when you need it most. OPM works with local authorities to reduce the stress and improve the impact of CPA/JAR preparation – to help you achieve the rating which really reflects your performance and progress.

How we can help

Self-assessments

We can help you to:

• design the structure – tell a coherent story
• gather the data and evidence – with an emphasis on outcomes not processes
• advise on key areas of evidence to include – to avoid information overload
• draft the self-assessment – produce a document which reflects your achievements
• edit the self-assessment – to ensure maximum impact.

Support to officers

We act as a critical friend to prepare officers for their role in the CPA/JAR inspection. This includes briefings for staff and coaching for managers who are likely to be interviewed. Coaching takes the form of a mock interview, using questions based on the self-assessment, followed by feedback and suggestions for improvement. We can also produce 'top tips' that can be disseminated widely.

Support to members

We work with a number of experienced peers, who have been part of CPA teams, to provide expert support for members. This can include focus groups for members and individual coaching for lead members and chairs of scrutiny and standards committees. Coaching involves a mock interview with a peer, who then provides feedback and suggestions of how members could increase their impact. The aim of both the focus groups and coaching is to build members’ confidence at interview and ensure that they have relevant examples of improved outcomes to draw on.

Support to stakeholders

We provide briefings for stakeholders to ensure they have a full understanding of the process, its significance to the council and the importance of their views. In preparation for the JAR neighbourhood study, we work with children and young people as well as other service providers to ensure that everyone who participates is confident of their role. This preparation also provides an opportunity to identify and resolve any outstanding issues that may be raised during the inspection, which may give a distorted view of services or partnership relationships.

Reporting back

The OPM team will provide a brief report with suggestions for immediate changes, in advance of the inspection. We will also highlight issues which need to be resolved in the long term. This will help officers and members to demonstrate self-awareness and that they have the ability to identify key challenges and prioritise resources appropriately.

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