In Tandem Cathy Sparkes and Sam Simpson

intandem consultancy is a flexible, tailor-made and fully negotiated service for an individual professional/team of professionals who need help with a single issue, a recurring issue or a wider service dilemma.

This means that the service offered can vary from a one-off discussion with a team leader (for 2–3 hours for example) to a series of several meetings with one/more professionals where many varied issues are raised.

The consultant (which can be Cathy or Sam depending on the presenting issues) may need to work on certain aspects of those concerns/problems raised in between meetings as well as during them.

Cathy and Sam see the consultancy service as providing a process in which they can:

• facilitate a loosening and tightening of ideas
• offer support
• provide a space for guided problem-solving
• help an individual/team reflect on current practices/processes
• enable ‘possibility space’ for creative thinking

The outcome may include

• a written report or
• a discussion paper or
• a summary of discussions Cathy/Sam has had with the relevant people
• an option appraisal

Cathy’s key consulting areas

Sam’s key consulting areas