Exploring collaborative learning, research and action in public service reform: Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Change Fund Beyond Action Learning initiative

This co-produced report illustrates 10 key issues for the practice of collaborative and inquiring approaches to partnership working for health and social care integration.

These emerged from the Beyond Action Learning project in Aberdeenshire, which used an ‘action learning set’ approach – which supports shared learning and problem solving – to suit local needs and policy aspirations for collaborative partnership working.

Summary

This is a co-produced report on the learning from the Beyond Action Learning project in Aberdeenshire (2011-13).

The Christie Commission emphasised the value of collaborative approaches, and What Works Scotland is therefore focusing on exploring the role of collaborative learning, research and action – the ‘family of action research approaches’ – in supporting such public service reform.

The Beyond Action Learning project ran from July 2011 to March 2013 and sought to support the integration of health and social care across the then Aberdeenshire Community Health Partnership and Aberdeenshire Council Social Care Services – both now integrated as Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

It involved over 170 staff members from across a range of health, social care and other public services. Two facilitators led the process and adapted an ‘action learning set’ approach – which supports shared learning and problem solving – to suit local needs and policy aspirations for collaborative partnership working. They also drew on tools and thinking from ‘improvement methodologies’ to support staff in using data to improve service practice and policies.

This co-produced report seeks to support dialogue on the development of collaborative and inquiring approaches to partnership working by illustrating key issues for practice through discussions with the Beyond Action Learning facilitators; discussions that highlighted ten important questions for those seeking to pursue such an approach to consider.