Partnerships that deliver

Working in partnership allows agencies to tackle the most complex social problems. But to improve local social outcomes, these partnerships must be well focused, well governed and well led. We can help you make your partnerships more effective.

What we offer

We provide:

• help to plan the route between identifying a complex social problem and finding effective partnership solutions. Our approaches include experimental thinking, partnership “laboratories’, practice exchange, activity mapping, “open strategy’, problem-solving techniques, exploring co-production and innovative consultation with communities
• diagnosis of partnership problems and support in making the changes needed for effective relationships to blossom
• awayday and workshop design and facilitation for local strategic partnerships and themed partnerships
• support with redesigning governance and partnership arrangements to ensure they’re “fit for purpose’
• support to develop excellent leadership in partnership settings and the new leadership styles that politicians and managers often need.

Why choose OPM?

Our experience

We have a wealth of knowledge, gained through 20 years of extensive study and experience, on the factors that make partnerships work. For years (in partnership with a consortium led by Warwick Business School) we have evaluated local strategic partnerships (LSPs) local public service agreements (LPSAs) and local area agreements (LAAs) as well as supporting and evaluating the development of multi-area agreements (MAAs) on behalf of the government.

Our research expertise has helped partnerships make the difficult transition from talking to delivering. With many years’ experience facilitating difficult discussions, our senior staff are able to identify and resolve deep-seated problems, or inspire and encourage greater ambition and creativity.

We specialise in evaluating the challenges and opportunities of LAAs and are working with many authorities to ensure delivery of LAA targets. Through this extensive and long-running engagement with sub-regional partnerships, LSPs and their thematic sub-groups in both unitary and two tier areas, we’ve built a strong evidence base and developed several diagnostic self-assessment tools.

The OPM way

OPM has worked to improve social results for 20 years. We understand public policy and service delivery and we have a wealth of public service experience. We listen carefully to your requirements, assemble a team with the most appropriate skills and then tailor our work to meet your objectives, timescales and budget.

Find out more

If you would like to talk to someone about our partnership development work, email Aleth Abadie