We set up the Language Support Services (LSS) Project in 2003 as a programme of research and development on language support services for London. We aim to reduce inequalities in health by improving access to quality language support services across public sectors in London.

Our programme consists of:

• Cross-sector needs assessment
• Engaging service users project
• Quality and Capacity Building project

These linked programmes of work will enable the LHC to establish a forward looking and innovative strategy for LSS that develops and builds on good practice to meet the communication needs of London's multi- ethnic communities.

Contact the team for more information and how to get invovled by joining our virtual reference group.

Feedback from the 2nd Stakeholder conference (June 2006)

• Stakeholder Event tested the outputs of the Quality and Capacity building project within designated roles in a Simulation
• Virtual reference Group has encouraged wider consultation and debate and hopefully implementation of the outputs (over 400 members and growing)
• Work Group provides practical linkage and shaping of strategy, standards and toolkit

Over one hundred people including the voluntary sector (22), staff end users (13), commissioners (26), providers (29), trainers and educators (11).

The London Language Plan will be based on clear principles:

• person centred approach
• development in partnerhsip
• equitable language support services
• integrated langauge services
• outcome-focused
• funded from mainstream funds

The London Language Plan will provide a clear direction for the delivery of langauge and communication support services that are high quality, technologically equipped and operating to an agreed core standard.

Key strategy and delivery areas

• Assessing need and managing demand
• Workforce development and staff training
• Commissioning and service development
• Measuring performance and outcomes
• User engagement

Standards framework
The standards framework will ensure that services comply with policy and legislation and will support immprovements in design, management and delivery. The will ensure that LSS providers are 'Fit for purpose'. The standards will impact on:

Standards will be developed for both public sector bodies and providers:

March 2006 Update (6kb, rft)

The Quality and Capacity Building (QCB) project started in September 2005 and will run for one year.

The Quality and Capacity Building Project
The QCB stage is being undertaken by SILKAP Consultants and will:

• Extrapolate from research findings in the cross-sector needs analysis, the engaging users and any supplementary research, the key issues relating to quality, accessibility and best practice in LSS for public services;
• Construct a model for common service standards;
• Consult with senior representatives of public sector and key London informants to agree the minimum LSS Standards and framework;
• Consult with focus groups to confirm the validity of the LSS standards drafted and add qualitative information based on their professional experience;
• Develop a list of agreed nomenclature and definition of roles, such as interpreter, translator, link worker and advocate, across public services to create transparency for all strategies;
• Develop and disseminate a checkbox self-assessment toolkit (individualised benchmarking) for LSS providers;
• Finalise the framework, standards, employer self-assessment toolkit and guidance for incremental steps to achieve the standards.

How We Want To Work With You
We believe that all stakeholders;

• have something of value to contribute,
• should learn something of practical value,
• should be encouraged and facilitated to apply their knowledge and skills,
• will shape the work and the results which emerge,
• will be recognised for their contribution to the work.

The methods we are using reflect these principles and encourage people to work together at different levels and in different ways. For example:

The Work Group meets bi-monthly and comprises service providers and policy makers who are shaping the 'key areas of work' (LSS self assessment toolkit, agreed terminologies, service standards and models) from their own knowledge, experience and expectations.

Virtual Reference Group. This is a network of people whom we will contact via e-mail or post to comment on and obtain critical appraisal of recommendations and outputs. These individuals will be able to tap other networks and a wider constituency to provide linkage, continuity, overview and ownership for the outputs.

Download the SIGN UP (rft) sheet and get involved!

Stakeholder Events. These two events will bring together a wide range of individuals who want to affect and be informed of the outputs and outcomes within the project.

Project Time Line - Summary of Key Activities

Further information and contacts

For further information about the project and how to get involved you can contact:

Project Manager: Rukshana Kapasi - rukshana.kapasi@ntlworld.com

Key Contacts:
Yohannes Fassil - Project Consultant - yohannes@bulldoghome.com
Mike Silvera - Project Consultant - silkap@btopenworld.com

London Health Commission LSS Steering Group:
Melba Wilson - melba.wilson@londondevelopmentcentre.org
Gail Findlay - Gail.Findlay@london.gov.uk