Common use of Underlying Principles Clause in Contracts

Underlying Principles. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) underpins our shared approach to developing and advocating our work across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. BINOCC acknowledge the UNCRC as providing the principled framework for each office’s individual and shared work and will take a rights based approach in this. There is a shared recognition that the UNCRC is a universal convention that sets out standards that go beyond geographical boundaries, different jurisdictions or separate systems. However, BINOCC will always strive to recognise the impact of jurisdictions and offices and will always make other colleagues aware of actions taken and any possible implications before they are made public. Working Relationships Wherever possible, colleagues from the different offices will work jointly on matters of common concern that require the attention of the Commissioners/Ombudsman. The intention shall always be to raise matters of common concern in a planned and timely fashion. The offices will be proactive in informing other offices with regards to work and relationships with Government Departments and other organisations that have a remit over different jurisdictions. This will be supported by regular, on-going contact and open exchanges of information between the offices. This approach will include planning for and responses to Government(s) consultation processes. It is important that the different functions of the organisations work collectively across the jurisdictions and that there is a principle of planning and working across functions. There may be occasions when offices may wish to reply to a policy proposal or external communication opportunity that is unforeseen. In such instances, the Commissioners/Ombudsman will endeavor to base any policy positions on an extension of existing positions and/or evidence held by one or more office. The underlying principle for all communication about non-devolved matters is that where possible, agreement should be sought between the jurisdictions that the communication will impact upon, before it is issued. Where communication cannot be sought or reached, the jurisdiction issuing the communication will make aware the other jurisdictions upon whom it may impact. Shared Focus Staff at all levels in each office will take forward such issues/matters within their respective authority and remit and deliver against agreed objectives. Operational matters should always be agreed or resolved at the relevant operational level. If there are areas of non- agreement, matters must be raised with the Chief Executive Officers/Chief Officers in the first instance, who may raise with the Commissioners/Ombudsman as appropriate. Commissioners/Ombudsman will also investigate options for shared learning and development for staff throughout the BINOCC offices. Organisation of Meetings Commissioners/Ombudsman will meet on a quarterly basis throughout each business year. Meetings will alternate within each jurisdiction, with the host jurisdiction taking responsibility for the administration arrangements. Use of teleconference facilities may also be available for one or more of the meetings should the Commissioners/Ombudsman decide. Chief Executive Officers will also attend these meetings as requested. Other functional Senior Managers may be requested to attend as and when required. There will be a need for functional and project joint working across the offices and teams. The Commissioners and Ombudsman will expect their offices to collaborate and meet as appropriate to progress areas of mutual interest and concern. The working relationships will be characterised by regular, on-going contact and open exchange of information between the organisations. On matters of joint collaboration the Commissioners or CEOs will agree the lead responsibility and identify the relevant staff to be involved. Staff will liaise as matters of common interest, requiring co-operation and communication, arise. Such matters might include, but are not restricted to: • joint working where this is lawful under the legislation and where this will result in the best use of resources; • joint training in order to make optimum use of training sessions that would benefit more than one of the organisations concerned and would result in best use of resources; • the sharing of information about trends, data, policy and initiatives which relate to the shared aim of ensuring that children and young people are provided with high quality services; • the pro-active sharing of electronic copies of reports that may be of relevance ahead of the publication date under embargo; • the sharing of concerns expressed which may be of relevance to any of the Commissioners/Ombudsman; • identification of matters that might lead to joint action; • consultation in relation to guidance or reports produced by one Commissioner/Ombudsman that refers to the responsibilities or functions of another one; • co-operation in disseminating information about good practice. There will be the need for people to work collectively across jurisdictions and functions to develop common positions and responses. In relation to external communications there will need to be positive joint working between the policy and communications functions. Each organisation will work from a principle of assisting the others with any request to the extent that it is reasonably practicable to do so. Each organisation will pro-actively distribute to the others (under embargo) media releases. Each organisation will pro-actively share media statements which make reference to any of the other organisations as they are being drafted to ensure the accuracy of the statement. Each organisation will ensure that members of staff are aware of the content of this Memorandum and the principles for joint working.

Underlying Principles. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) underpins our shared approach to developing and advocating our work across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. BINOCC acknowledge the UNCRC as providing the principled framework for each office’s individual and shared work and will take a rights based approach in this. There is a shared recognition that the UNCRC is a universal convention that sets out standards that go beyond geographical boundaries, different jurisdictions or separate systems. However, BINOCC will always strive to recognise the impact of jurisdictions and offices and will always make other colleagues aware of actions taken and any possible implications before they are made public. Working Relationships Wherever possible, colleagues from the different offices will work jointly on matters of common concern that require the attention of the Commissioners/Ombudsman. The intention shall always be to raise matters of common concern in a planned and timely fashion. The offices will be proactive in informing other offices with regards to work and relationships with Government Departments and other organisations that have a remit over different jurisdictions. This will be supported by regular, on-going contact and open exchanges of information between the offices. This approach will include planning for and responses to Government(s) consultation processes. It is important that the different functions of the organisations work collectively across the jurisdictions and that there is a principle of planning and working across functions. There may be occasions when offices may wish to reply to a policy proposal or external communication opportunity that is unforeseen. In such instances, the Commissioners/Ombudsman will endeavor to base any policy positions on an extension of existing positions and/or evidence held by one or more office. The underlying principle for all communication about non-devolved matters is that where possible, agreement should be sought between the jurisdictions that the communication will impact upon, before it is issued. Where communication cannot be sought or reached, the jurisdiction issuing the communication will make aware the other jurisdictions upon whom it may impact. Shared Focus Staff at all levels in each office will take forward such issues/matters within their respective authority and remit and deliver against agreed objectives. Operational matters should always be agreed or resolved at the relevant operational level. If there are areas of non- agreement, matters must be raised with the Chief Executive Officers/Chief Officers in the first instance, who may raise with the Commissioners/Ombudsman as appropriate. Commissioners/Ombudsman will also investigate options for shared learning and development for staff throughout the BINOCC offices. Organisation of Meetings Commissioners/Ombudsman will meet on a quarterly basis throughout each business year. Meetings will alternate within each jurisdiction, with the host jurisdiction taking responsibility for the administration arrangements. Use of teleconference facilities may also be available for one or more of the meetings should the Commissioners/Ombudsman decide. Chief Executive Officers will also attend these meetings as requested. Other functional Senior Managers may be requested to attend as and when required. There will be a need for functional and project joint working across the offices and teams. The Commissioners and Ombudsman will expect their offices to collaborate and meet as appropriate to progress areas of mutual interest and concern. The working relationships will be characterised by regular, on-going contact and open exchange of information between the organisations. On matters of joint collaboration the Commissioners or CEOs will agree the lead responsibility and identify the relevant staff to be involved. Staff will liaise as matters of common interest, requiring co-operation and communication, arise. Such matters might include, but are not restricted to: •  joint working where this is lawful under the legislation and where this will result in the best use of resources; •  joint training in order to make optimum use of training sessions that would benefit more than one of the organisations concerned and would result in best use of resources; •  the sharing of information about trends, data, policy and initiatives which relate to the shared aim of ensuring that children and young people are provided with high quality services; •  the pro-active sharing of electronic copies of reports that may be of relevance ahead of the publication date under embargo; •  the sharing of concerns expressed which may be of relevance to any of the Commissioners/Ombudsman; •  identification of matters that might lead to joint action; •  consultation in relation to guidance or reports produced by one Commissioner/Ombudsman that refers to the responsibilities or functions of another one; •  co-operation in disseminating information about good practice. There will be the need for people to work collectively across jurisdictions and functions to develop common positions and responses. In relation to external communications there will need to be positive joint working between the policy and communications functions. Each organisation will work from a principle of assisting the others with any request to the extent that it is reasonably practicable to do so. Each organisation will pro-actively distribute to the others (under embargo) media releases. Each organisation will pro-actively share media statements which make reference to any of the other organisations as they are being drafted to ensure the accuracy of the statement. Each organisation will ensure that members of staff are aware of the content of this Memorandum and the principles for joint working.

Underlying Principles. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) underpins our shared approach to developing and advocating our work across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. BINOCC acknowledge the UNCRC as providing the principled framework for each office’s individual and shared work and will take a rights based approach in this. There is a shared recognition that the UNCRC is a universal convention that sets out standards that go beyond geographical boundaries, different jurisdictions or separate systems. However, BINOCC will always strive to recognise the impact of jurisdictions and offices and will always make other colleagues aware of actions taken and any possible implications before they are made public. Working Relationships Wherever possible, colleagues from the different offices will work jointly on matters of common concern that require the attention of the Commissioners/Ombudsman. The intention shall always be to raise matters of common concern in a planned and timely fashion. The offices will be proactive in informing other offices with regards to work and relationships with Government Departments and other organisations that have a remit over different jurisdictions. This will be supported by regular, on-going contact and open exchanges of information between the offices. This approach will include planning for and responses to Government(s) consultation processes. It is important that the different functions of the organisations work collectively across the jurisdictions and that there is a principle of planning and working across functions. There may be occasions when offices may wish to reply to a policy proposal or external communication opportunity that is unforeseen. In such instances, the Commissioners/Ombudsman will endeavor endeavour to base any policy positions on an extension of existing positions and/or evidence held by one or more office. The underlying principle for all communication about non-devolved matters is that where possible, agreement should be sought between the jurisdictions that the communication will impact upon, before it is issued. Where communication cannot be sought or reached, the jurisdiction issuing the communication will make aware the other jurisdictions upon whom it may impact. Shared Focus Staff at all levels in each office will take forward such issues/matters within their respective authority and remit and deliver against agreed objectives. Operational matters should always be agreed or resolved at the relevant operational level. If there are areas of non- non-agreement, matters must be raised with the Chief Executive Officers/Chief Officers in the first instance, who may raise with the Commissioners/Ombudsman as appropriate. Commissioners/Ombudsman will also investigate options for shared learning and development for staff throughout the BINOCC offices. Organisation of Meetings Commissioners/Ombudsman will meet on a quarterly basis throughout each business year. Meetings will alternate within each jurisdiction, with the host jurisdiction taking responsibility for the administration arrangements. Use of teleconference facilities may also be available for one or more of the meetings should the Commissioners/Ombudsman decide. Chief Executive Officers will also attend these meetings as requested. Other functional Senior Managers may be requested to attend as and when required. There will be a need for functional and project joint working across the offices and teams. The Commissioners and Ombudsman will expect their offices to collaborate and meet as appropriate to progress areas of mutual interest and concern. The working relationships will be characterised by regular, on-going contact and open exchange of information between the organisations. On matters of joint collaboration the Commissioners or CEOs will agree the lead responsibility and identify the relevant staff to be involved. Staff will liaise as matters of common interest, requiring co-operation and communication, arise. Such matters might include, but are not restricted to: • joint working where this is lawful under the legislation and where this will result in the best use of resources; • joint training in order to make optimum use of training sessions that would benefit more than one of the organisations concerned and would result in best use of resources; • the sharing of information about trends, data, policy and initiatives which relate to the shared aim of ensuring that children and young people are provided with high quality services; • the pro-active sharing of electronic copies of reports that may be of relevance ahead of the publication date under embargo; • the sharing of concerns expressed which may be of relevance to any of the Commissioners/Ombudsman; • identification of matters that might lead to joint action; • consultation in relation to guidance or reports produced by one Commissioner/Ombudsman that refers to the responsibilities or functions of another one; • co-operation in disseminating information about good practice. There will be the need for people to work collectively across jurisdictions and functions to develop common positions and responses. In relation to external communications there will need to be positive joint working between the policy and communications functions. Each organisation will work from a principle of assisting the others with any request to the extent that it is reasonably practicable to do so. Each organisation will pro-actively distribute to the others (under embargo) media releases. Each organisation will pro-actively share media statements which make reference to any of the other organisations as they are being drafted to ensure the accuracy of the statement. Each organisation will ensure that members of staff are aware of the content of this Memorandum and the principles for joint working.