How to use the ideal empowering authority framework

About the ideal empowering authority framework

The framework provides a benchmark for an authority that does an ideal job of empowering the communities they work with. It is something to aspire to.

The framework consists of five inter-linked pillars and eight high-level success factors that between them describe a high-performing empowering authority.

Councils, local strategic partnerships (LSPs), and other public or third sector agencies can use the framework to identify areas for improvement.

Authorities that have assessed their empowerment work using the framework will be able to use it as evidence for relevant national indicator targets, especially NI4, and for their comprehensive area assessment (CAA). The framework also links closely to the new 'duty to involve' – meeting the framework will help you to meet the new duty.

Eight overarching success factors

An ideal empowering authority will have the following success factors:

1. Clear leadership
   There is strong leadership for community empowerment from the LSP and council.
2. Effective partnership
   Partners are working together to empower communities.
3. Fully integrated
   The council and LSP partners have put community empowerment and community influence at the heart of their organisation.
4. Service improvement
   Empowered communities are driving service improvement.
5. Strong communities
   There are strong, active, cohesive, cooperative and engaged communities and a strong and supported voluntary and community sector.
6. Strong relationships
   Communities are working together with agencies through strong relationships based on trust.
7. Good information
   There is excellent shared knowledge and communication.
8. Strong democracy
   There is a clear central role for members as community leaders, and strong local democracy.

There are more detailed success factors for each pillar. Each pillar has a series of diagnostic questions so that councils can self-assess against these detailed success factors. 

Five pillars of an ideal empowering authority

The five pillars are themes for implementation, providing an approach to development and change. Each one is designed to stand alone as well as to be part of the whole framework. 

1. Mainstreaming: culture change in councils and partnerships
   Changing the way organisations work and are structured in order to make them responsive to communities.
2. Working with communities, neighbourhoods and localities
   How agencies and communities can work together to identify priority outcomes and address them.
3. The role of members in community empowerment
   Members as community leaders, helping communities and agencies to work together, and strengthening democratic accountability.
4. Building the evidence and business case for community empowerment
   Evidencing that community empowerment delivers efficient and effective services and stronger, more democratic communities.
5. Integrating community empowerment with community cohesion, equalities and human rights
   Community empowerment delivers cohesive and inclusive communities and addresses inequalities.