1. Practical hints and tips
Linda Levin

2. Key ingredients for successful scrutiny
Setting up the panel
Building skills and knowledge
Communications and relationships
Resources and support for panels

3. Setting up your panel Existing panel takes on the scrutiny function
Do these customers have the right skills and experience?
Can they be trained to take on the role?
Representative?
Election
Fair and democratic?
Just a popularity competition?
Recruitment and selection
How do you attract people?

4. Top tips
Ensure that tenants know what the scrutiny role involves to help them make an informed decision
Be honest and open about the skills, etc, needed and stick by this – it can avoid disappointment, frustration and a waste of time and money
If recruiting, be creative....some examples
Use of social media
Advertise on job pages of website
Send information with rent statements
Make your advert interesting, appealing!

5. Building skills
Softer skills are just as important as technical skills
Leadership
Team working
Communications – evidence, reports, presenting findings, promoting the work of the panel
Time management
Assertiveness and influencing
Independence & confidence

6. Top tips
Induction and ongoing training should cover the ‘softer’ skills as well as technical skills
Skills building is not a one off exercise – annual reviews and development planning is essential to ensure continued personal and panel development
Can you offer recognised or accredited training?
Ensures quality
Offers tenants a route to other qualifications and potential employment.
Institute of Leadership and Management recognition for our training

7. Communications and relationships
Critical for the success of the panel
Clear communications plan required to show how the panel will work with
Other tenants – involved and uninvolved
Board and committees
Senior managers
Staff
Other key stakeholders
Important to build good formal and informal relationships to build spirit of cooperation

8. Top tips
Panel must communicate what it is doing using a variety of media, not just newsletters:
-Social media
-Tenant Advisor
-Attending community events
It is important to get across not just what the panel is doing, but also their approach......
You will need a dispute resolution process...just in case...

9. Resources and support
Budget that the panel controls to secure the support and resources they need
A base where the panel can meet and keep documents
Independent coaching and mentoring – chosen by the panel
Support of the landlord, the Board and other tenants

10. Top tips
Visible and active support from the top of the organisation is required
Agree how this will work from the start – use the communications plan to pin this down

11. Thanks for listening - any questions?
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