Lucy Vaughan, senior consultant

My interest in Local Government begun with my studies at the Institute of Local Government Studies at the University of Birmingham.  I successfully graduated with a first class BSC degree in Public Policy, Government and Management, and decided that I wanted to put the theory into practice..

I then spent 4 years working for the London Borough of Southwark.  During this time I had the opportunity to develop a wide ranging knowledge base including:

• Local Strategic Partnership development (including Community Strategy and LAA development)
• Performance Management for the Council and the LSP
• Writing policy and strategies in Children’s Services
• Commissioning Children’s Services (including the development of a commissioning framework, and contract management)
• Project Management of high profile projects including Reducing Teenage Pregnancy (which included joint commissioning with the PCT and direct work with schools; and the redesign of Children Looked After Services)

My most recent role was commissioning focussed, and as a result I got involved in founding the Institute of Commissioning Professionals.  The Institute looks at the skills required of commissioners in the Public Sector and acts a forum to share best practice.

During my time in Southwark, I was also able to undertake a secondment with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.  This gave me a valuable insight into the interaction between central and local government, and I was given the opportunity to engage with Senior Civil Servants on the development of City Region business cases.

My recent work with iMPOWER has been with Adult Social Care services in Hammersmith and Fulham.  I have been working with the Council to develop a vision for Self Directed Support in the Borough, and scope the potential for joint commissioning homecare and housing support services. 

In my spare time I love to get involved in competitive sport.  My favourite activities include netball and tennis..although I have just started playing touch rugby (no contact allowed!!!), and I’m usually up for giving most things a go!