Auditing Community Participation: An Assessment HandbookGovernment rhetoric increasingly emphasises the importance of community participation in area regeneration programmes; however, it is far less clear how much those involved are able to effectively influence practice and future policy making. This report looks at ways of assessing levels of community involvement through an audit of participation, so that communities themselves can positively facilitate learning and dialogue for partners and partnerships.Auditing community participation provides tools and appraisal exercises for measuring:the history and pattern of participation;the quality of participation strategies adopted by partners and partnerships;the capacity within partner organisations to support community participation;the capacity within communities to participate effectively;the impact of participation and its outcomes.Auditing community participation is a handbook for those wishing to assess the level of community involvement in regeneration organisations. It can also be read alongside Reflecting realities (The Policy Press/Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2000). The reports are essential reading for all those involved in community-led regeneration groups, policy makers, local authorities and regional and national government, as well as anyone with an interest in community-led regeneration practice. |
Contents
The quality of participation strategies adopted by partners and partnerships | 19 |
The capacity within communities to participate effectively | 45 |
Postscript | 60 |
Copyright | |
Common terms and phrases
adopted by partners agenda Audit Commission audit tools Auditing community participation balance of power Baseline mapping benchmarking boundaries and timetables capacity of partner capacity within communities centre Checklist Checklist childcare communities are involved communities to participate community activists community activity community groups able community involvement community participation strategy community representatives decision trail decision-making structures allow diversity effective and inclusive effective is participatory example Exercise instructions external validation focus groups funding identify Impact assessments implemented influence/control do communities Joseph Rowntree Foundation Key indicator Partners leadership within partnerships level of participation meetings monitoring neighbourhood forums Notes organisations to support participation strategies adopted participation strategy allow participatory decision partner organisations partners and partnerships partnership board partnerships and partner Position on scale process are communities quality of participation range and level regeneration representatives are accountable Scale Position service structures compatible social capital stakeholders support community participation sustaining community participation Table