Scrutiny as a Critical Friend

Dave Mckenna

Overview & Scrutiny Manager

What exactly is a ‘Critical Friend’?

A critical friend can be defined as a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of the work presented and the outcomes that the person or group is working toward. The friend is an advocate for the success of that work

Costa, A. and Kallick, B.(1993) "Through the Lens of a Critical Friend". Educational Leadership 51(2)

The term was really first used in education

a listening ear

tuning in

the different perspective that outsiders can provide

a fresh pair of eyes

an understanding of the situation

Swaffield (2002) Contextualising the Work of the Critical Friend Conference Paper University of Cambridge Faculty of Education

There have been lots of ideas about how it can be explained

the point of balance between support and challenge

about the task not the peoplegiving

feedbackshining a light reality check

A critical friend is somewhere between a hostile opponent and an unquestioning follower

About here

‘Critical friend’ is a term now commonly used in scrutiny

In summary, a critical friend is someone who:

• Shares the same ultimate aim• Asks constructive questions• Brings new information / a different perspective• Takes time to develop a proper understanding• Builds a relationship of trust and respect

Why is this important?

The critical friend role is a widely recognised way to drive improvement

Scrutiny is the best place for the critical friend role to happen

• Scrutiny is the best place to provide constructive challenge to cabinet members

• Scrutiny is the best place for backbenchers to influence service improvement

• Scrutiny provides a way to achieve consensus about sensitive issues

• Party politics can take place elsewhere

So getting it right really matters

How can scrutiny be an effective critical friend?

1. Be clear about what the shared aim is

The shared aim

2. Develop questioning strategies and skills

3. Bring something new to the debate

Public views

Service user perspectives

New evidence

External experts

Different performance questions

National research

Staff ideas

Councillor experiences

4. Make sure you fully understand the issues

5. Check to make sure you are making a difference

• Does scrutiny provide an effective challenge to the Executive?

• How does scrutiny have an impact on the work of the executive?

• How does scrutiny routinely challenge the authority’s corporate strategy and budget?

• Are external partners involved in O&S and how are they included?

• Does scrutiny work effectively with the executive and senior management?

Centre for Public Scrutiny (www.cfps.org.uk)

Finally, remember that ‘critical’ means both ‘challenging’ and ‘essential’

Both meanings should be relevant for scrutiny

Scrutiny as a Critical Friend

Dave Mckenna

Overview & Scrutiny Manager