When setting up a partnership you may want to have a telephone conversation or face to face meeting particularly for larger partnerships, where the following points should be addressed:
explain why the partnership is beneficial to both parties
agree the level of support the partner will offer
understand the mechanisms they will use for reaching their audience
agree whether any materials will be needed and, if so, who will be producing them
agree what messages they will use in communicating with their audience
agree what information they will provide on how the audience can respond or where they can get more help
agree who at the local authority will be available to answer the partner’s questions
be clear about timings and when messages need to change
establish regular communications
ensure that if things are not going as planned they are open to stopping the activity and, where relevant, returning materials