Impacting on Policy & Working with Parliament

Means intended to inform and influence policy deliberations in the UK Houses of Parliament were explored along with approaches determined to support them. Shutz (1976) notions of the Expert, the Person on the Street and the Well-Informed Citizen oriented the considerations on effectuating policy challenge, defence, and critique. As social actors, the work of Ball (2016) revealed ways to interact with policy beyond (our) current thresholds. Neuro-Linguistic Programming's technique of the 'well-formed outcome' was shown to prime the envisaged intervention's readiness. Therein a robust scrutiny desired for the enhancement of a policy's efficacy was put in motion. An 'ecology check' on what it would be like for all concerned if the desired change was brought about was also deemed useful in the overall process of policy evaluation. This made for a more holistic perspective.
Collaborative activities with the All-Party Group on a Fit & Healthy Childhood, and the Alliance4Children, were looked at in relation to intrinsic & extrinsic gains made via collective initiatives & their associated outputs. These activities were appreciated for building a worthy review of policies in action based on their published impacts and reports by service users/affected peoples and communities. A readiness for change by establishing the shortfalls in targeted policy deliverables, was sought to be evoked in, and elicited from, the policy actors involved. Establishing and maintaining trusted relationships across sectors, communities, businesses and within the Houses of Parliament, was noted for its enriching potential for action, underpinning credible, meaningful contributions and strengthening connections.