1. Timescales for responses
Allow a suitable timescale for people to respond. This may vary according to your consultation, but for larger scale consultations allow a minimum of 12 weeks for people to respond (especially where ‘secondary’ consultation may take place e.g. groups seeking views of their members). For maximum response, avoid summer holiday and Christmas periods.
2. Clarity of purpose/process
You must be clear about what your proposals are, who may be affected, what questions are being asked and the timescale for responses.
3. Clarity of communication/accessibility
You must ensure that your consultation is clear, concise and widely accessible.
4. Feedback on findings and outcomes
You must give feedback on the responses received and give information how the consultation process influenced the policy or delivery of the service. (We asked, you said, we did).
5. Evaluating process and impact
You must monitor your service's effectiveness at carrying out consultation exercises and be able to analyse the degree in which consultations affected the eventual outcome.
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