System Stewardship
Surrey Youth Focus plays a unique role in supporting and collaborating with third and public sector organisations across Surrey. The approach we take is that of “System Stewards”, a term which comes from Human Learning Systems work. Our role is integral to ensuring the ‘health’ of the system by bringing the right people together to create meaningful change which benefits young people in Surrey.
System Stewardship
Surrey Youth Focus plays a unique role in supporting and collaborating with third and public sector organisations across Surrey. The approach we take is that of “System Stewards”, a term which comes from Human Learning Systems work. Our role is integral to ensuring the ‘health’ of the system by bringing the right people together to create meaningful change which benefits young people in Surrey.
In essence, system stewardship is:
Bringing people together
Developing shared understanding
Rallying around a shared purpose
Ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are heard
Enacting positive change
Encouraging shared reflection
We are involved in a wide range of initiatives across the county, providing us with extensive knowledge of public and third sector organisations and services. This places us in the ideal position to identify solutions to cross-sector issues.
We are passionate advocates of the system stewardship approach, and we’re thankful that colleagues from across the sector agree and benefit from our approach. Here’s what they had to say about working with us.
We are involved in a wide range of initiatives across the county, providing us with extensive knowledge of public and third sector organisations and services. This places us in the ideal position to identify solutions to cross-sector issues.
We are passionate advocates of the system stewardship approach, and we’re thankful that colleagues from across the sector agree and benefit from our approach. Here’s what they had to say about working with us.
In essence, system stewardship is:
Bringing people together
Developing shared understanding
Rallying around a shared purpose
Ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are heard
Enacting positive change
Encouraging shared reflection
They are excellent stewards with high
professional standards and never come with a biased perspective; something the
sector greatly needs to make sure we are on pace, in the right direction,
talking to the right people, and working collaboratively in the right ways
The engagement of Surrey Youth Focus adds so
much to our system thinking and overall response, and we have more balanced
conversations that reflect more on the needs of children, young people and
families. SYF leaders have become central to core strategic decision-making
groups and offer an invaluable knowledge and insight.
I think their advocacy of youth organisations in
Surrey on the County Council’s boards is really important. The way in which
they provide support to youth organisations is crucial in the current
environment where charity work is more important than ever.
Surrey Youth Focus has been that critical friend
– keeping the lived experience and voice of children and young people in all of
the conversations. The real change has been how we commission future services,
recognising the importance of collaboration between specialist and third sector
organisations. Shifting the balance of delivery to prevention and early
intervention has resulted in a significant investment programme for emotional
health and wellbeing services.
I cannot speak more highly for how the team at
Surrey Youth Focus are relational, diligent and competent in all that they do
and do it in such a positive manner. This helps grow relationships through
positive values and promoting positive culture.