Influencing without authority

When leading change for the benefit of children or working to improve a pathway across multiple agencies, you may need to “influence without authority”. The rich tapestry of statutory and third sector specialists providing services for children and young people in the UK often means no single agency is accountable for the whole pathway. Influencing without authority is about finding the golden thread that pulls on the emotions, sparks curiosity in the mind of other agencies and brings together a web of professionals with a shared purpose.

As the lead for the CSA (child sexual abuse) Transformation Programme in London, I spent more than two years working with leaders in health, social care, criminal justice, government and the third sector to bring about a whole-system change for vulnerable children and young people. I went on to join University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust where I worked with partners to establish The Lighthouse, a specialist service for children who have experienced sexual abuse led by UCLH, The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the NSPCC. The Lighthouse is a groundbreaking service in the UK that brings together professionals from health, social care, mental health, advocacy and criminal justice in one safe space.