Service Advice & Guidance

A critical friend when the stakes are real.

Independent, expert support for organisations managing sensitive or complex consultations, feedback and recommendations that help you meet legal duties and move forward with clarity.

Fair. Lawful. Defensible.

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Our role

Not every situation requires full Quality Assurance: but many still carry legal, political, or reputational risk. We act as a critical friend, strengthening your plans and building confidence in the decision.

We work with consultation leads, programme managers, and governance teams to review proposals, test assumptions, and highlight potential risks: whether you need a second opinion on draft materials, clarity on legal duties, or help handling stakeholder challenge.

Three colleagues leaning over consultation plans spread across a meeting table

Fig. 01 · A critical friend at the table

The five services, in detail.

Engage one, or a combination

Delivery Support

Extra capacity and expertise to plan and deliver consultations that are lawful, credible, and trusted. We work alongside your team: adding hands and judgement where it counts, from planning through to analysis.

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When to use it

i.You need extra capacity or expertise to manage a consultation.

ii.Your team is new to consultation and needs hands-on guidance.

iii.You’re running a statutory consultation with tight timelines.

iv.You want assurance the process is lawful and defensible.

Risk Assessment

Independent reviews using tCI’s 5-risk methodology to spot legal, political, or reputational risks early, so you can act before challenge arises, not after.

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When to use it

i.You’re unsure if your approach meets legal duties.

ii.The project is high profile, politically sensitive, or contentious.

iii.You want early warning of gaps that could trigger challenge.

iv.Boards, scrutiny bodies, or regulators need reassurance.

Board Facilitation

Impartial chairing for boards, panels and governance discussions: keeping high-stakes conversations balanced, transparent and productive, with a neutral chair the room can trust.

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When to use it

i.You need an impartial facilitator for public or stakeholder sessions.

ii.Tensions are high and independent oversight will build trust.

iii.You want structured dialogue that produces clear outcomes.

iv.Internal teams need a neutral chair for sensitive discussions.

Facilitation

Skilled, impartial facilitation for workshops, public meetings and stakeholder sessions, drawing every voice into the room and turning discussion into clear, usable outcomes.

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When to use it

i.You need a neutral facilitator for a workshop or public event.

ii.Conversations are difficult and need careful handling.

iii.You want quieter voices heard, not just the loudest.

iv.Sessions need to end with clear, agreed next steps.

Executive Briefings

Concise updates for senior leaders on consultation law, duties, and risks, helping boards make confident, defensible decisions ahead of scrutiny.

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When to use it

i.Senior leaders need clarity on consultation law and duties.

ii.You want a strategic overview of risks and obligations.

iii.Executives need concise updates before making decisions.

iv.You’re preparing leadership for scrutiny, challenge, or media.

Independent, and seen to be

Advice grounded in consultation law, governance, and recognised best practice, never a rubber stamp.

Fig. 02 · Every voice at the table

Why tCI

A partner you can rely on.

Independent expertise

Grounded in consultation law, governance, and recognised best practice.

Sector experience

Proven support across health, local government, and infrastructure.

Practical focus

Tailored guidance that addresses risks and supports defensible decisions.

Trusted support

A critical-friend approach that builds confidence with boards and regulators.

From a past Institute project

“tCI’s assistance has been invaluable. It has complemented our expertise and means we can address any high-profile, controversial consultation with confidence.”

Bruce Hill: Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

Got a question about our services?

Talk to us about your consultation

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