Public engagement for the public sector

This comprehensive two-day course is aimed at providing public sector staff with a greater awareness and understanding of participative engagement. Participants will learn about a range of tools and have the opportunity to put some methods into practice. Participants will gain a range of skills as well as build confidence in engaging with the community. Day one will focus on preparing for engagement, the rationale, who to engage with and achieving validity in consultation. Day two will look at tools of engagement, overview of consultation processes, facilitation skills and new options using participatory techniques.

Duration 2 days

Target audience

Frontline staff, practitioners and managers within the public sector

Learning aim

The course aims to equip participants with knowledge, confidence and practical techniques to better engage with the public and with local communities.

Learning objectives

• Provide an introduction to the principles of community engagement and participation
• Achieve a greater awareness and understanding of participative engagement
• Explore a range of participatory tools
• Provide the opportunity to put some participatory methods into practice
• Build skills and confidence in engaging with the community
• Explore the whole process of engagement
• Discuss why engage and who to engage with
• Ensure validity is achieved in consultation
• Explore tools of engagement
• Present the overview of consultation processes
• Identify skills of facilitators

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course participants will be able to:

• Discuss the principles of community engagement and participation
• Identify the context for participative engagement
• Demonstrate participatory tools for engagement
• Discuss the whole process of public engagement
• Evaluate the reasons behind engaging, who to engage with and how
• Identify the key skills of a good facilitator