Search all research & publications

Practical Guidance: Latest Publications

Change at the Council: Independent Review of Governance for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

A report looking at scrutiny and governance at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, commissioned by the council in …

Guidance for Local Authority Scrutiny Committees on the scrutiny of Public Service Boards

A publication produced by CfGS for the Welsh Government – this guidance helps local authority scrutiny committees support the development …

Scrutiny self-evaluation framework

The scrutiny self-evaluation framework is a tool to help scrutiny officers and members to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses …

Overview and scrutiny in combined authorities – a plain English guide

Overview and scrutiny in combined authorities: a plain English guide provides officers and members with a straightforward guide to the …

Safeguarding Children: A Practical Guide for Overview and Scrutiny Councillors

The welfare of all children and young people in the local community must be a top priority for any local …

10 Questions to ask if you’re scrutinising services for looked-after children

Scrutinising issues affecting children in the care of the local authority. Produced in partnership with the LGA.  This guide describes …

Cards on the table: English devolution and governance

This detailed and comprehensive paper looks at every aspect of the English devolution process – from the initial scoping out …

10 questions council scrutiny can ask about men’s health

Men Behaving Badly? Ten questions council scrutiny can ask about men’s health Jointly written by CfGS and Men’s Health Forum …

A guide to the CQC for Overview and Scrutiny Committees

One of three guides to help overview and scrutiny committees, councillors in general and district councillors in particular to engage and …

A guide to the CQC for District Councillors

This guide is for local councillors in district and borough councils who want to know more about how to work …

A guide to the CQC for Councillors

This short guide explains the work of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). I t aims to increase confidence and ambition …

Raising the stakes: Financial scrutiny in challenging times

Co-produced with Grant Thornton, this is a guide for Welsh local authorities on financial scrutiny (fersiwn Cymraeg hefyd ar gael)

Guidance to police and crime panels on the panel’s scrutiny role

Helping Police and Crime Panels to conduct scrutiny reviews and to hold Commissioners to account through their work. Commissioned by …

10 questions to ask if you are scrutinising services for looked after children

Scrutinising issues affecting children in the care of the local authority. Produced in partnership with the LGA. The ten question …

Walk a mile in my shoes – Scrutiny of dignity and respect for individuals in health and social care services

Assisting overview and scrutiny committees in reflecting issues relating to dignity in care, and respect for those being cared for, …

Scrutinising the Transformation of Adult Social Care: Practice Guide

Discussing key elements in the adult social care transformation programme which wil help overview and scrutiny committees assess the extent …

10 Questions to ask if you are scrutinising end of life care of adults

This guide is one of a series designed to help Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) carry out their scrutiny …