Early Assurance
Clear Confidence and Reassurance as You Begin
Clarity and reassurance as you begin
What Are the Common Triggers for Early Assurance?
Early Assurance gives organisations confidence at the very start of a consultation or service change. It provides independent feedback on your plans before engagement begins, helping you identify risks early and strengthen your approach.
The service reviews the essentials of a credible process: governance, timelines, draft materials, equality considerations, the options you are preparing to put forward, and alignment with the Gunning Principles. By scanning for political, legal, or reputational risks, we highlight potential weaknesses and offer practical steps to address them before they escalate.
Each engagement is shaped around your timeline. Our consultants can review documents, join planning sessions, and provide advisory input where it matters most. The process concludes with a formal Assurance Note—a clear record of the review and advice provided, suitable for governance files or scrutiny.
Early Assurance helps you start well—reducing risk, strengthening credibility, and giving decision-makers reassurance that your consultation is lawful, defensible, and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
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No two changes are the same, but Early Assurance is often used when proposals spark political anxiety, internal disagreement, or uncertainty about whether formal consultation is required. It can also help when scrutiny bodies or lawyers raise early questions about transparency.
Organisations that have faced past challenges use Early Assurance to avoid repeating mistakes, while others value the independent credibility it provides—demonstrating that plans have been tested and reducing the risk of accusations of unfairness or predetermination.
FAQ
Why is Early Assurance important?
Because the earliest stages of a project set the tone. Decisions about scope, governance, and transparency made now will shape how credible and defensible the consultation is later.
Does Early Assurance replace legal advice?
No. It focuses on process assurance, not the substance of proposals. Where legal advice is required, Early Assurance can highlight areas where you may wish to seek it.
What happens if risks are found?
Our reviewers provide clear, practical recommendations. The aim is not to criticise, but to give organisations time to correct issues before they become costly problems.
Is Early Assurance always necessary?
Not always. It is most valuable when a project is politically sensitive, reputationally exposed, or when there is uncertainty about consultation requirements.
How is Early Assurance received by scrutiny bodies?
Many organisations use the Assurance Note to demonstrate that independent checks have been carried out. This often reassures scrutiny committees, Healthwatch, and elected members that proper care has been taken.
Can Early Assurance be scaled up if the project grows?
Yes. If circumstances change, Early Assurance can be extended into a fuller Quality Assurance process, providing ongoing oversight through to the final review.
Want to know more?
Our Sales Team is on hand to assist with any questions you might have.
