Policy Development

When a Government Body wishes to make changes to an existing policy, or develop a new one, a consultation paper will be made available to the public.  This consultation contains all the details of the changes, along with questions which the public are invited to respond to.

As an umbrella organisation, we have many individual and organisational members who are keen to respond to these changes.  We help to ensure that our members’ views are taken into account when changes or new policies are developed.

It is through the views of the public that these policies are shaped – so your view really counts!  (If you would like to become a member, fill in our application form (link))

We like to make sure that there are many ways in which members can get all the information they need to make informed responses. 

•    Emailing out consultation briefings with questions
•    Arranging a public meeting for you to have your say
•    Having current consultations available on our website (link)
•    Sending out news of consultations in our newsletters (link)

Our members have many ways to give us their opinions, such as

•    Using our online questionnaire
•    Replying by email to our briefing
•    Attending workshops/meetings held across the country
•    Writing to us by post
•    Leaving a vlog at one of our workshops
•    Speaking to us over the phone


Read through our list of current consultations (link), along with links to our briefings (link).  (As a member (link) these will be sent out to you automatically)