Overview of the forum:
The Joint Engagement Forum (JEF) brings together representatives of the providers of the local engagement contract. It is a forum attended by those with and those representing people with protected characteristics, lived experience of adult social care and adult social care services, carers, and voluntary sector partners to help shape adult social care and health services in Devon.
The Forum plays an important role in ensuring that the voices of people and communities are meaningfully embedded within strategic decision-making, supporting a more person-centred and responsive system.
Why we provide guidelines for guest speakers:
We share guidance with guest speakers to help ensure that JEF meetings are inclusive, accessible, and effective for all attendees.
The guidelines are intended to:
- Support accessibility
- Create a consistent experience
- Maximise engagement
- Ensure time is used effectively
- Promote inclusive and respectful participation
Guidance for the Joint Engagement Forum (JEF) Presentations
Speaker time allocation
Main speakers will be allocated between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the agenda. Community round-up speakers will be allocated up to 5 minutes to provide concise updates.
Slides submission
All presentation slides must be submitted at least one week in advance of the meeting. This allows sufficient time for distribution to attendees and supports those who benefit from additional processing or preparation time.
Slide length and structure
Presentations should consist of no more than 15 slides unless agreed with the Involvement Team in advance. This helps maintain engagement, ensures key messages are clear and focused, and allows adequate time for questions and discussion.
Accessibility considerations
- Use a minimum font size of 14 (larger where possible).
- Keep text concise and avoid overcrowding slides.
- Use clear headings, simple language, and high-contrast colours.
- Wherever possible, describe images or provide alternative text.
Questions and interaction
Please indicate your preference for handling questions:
- During the presentation (for a more interactive approach), or
- At the end (to allow uninterrupted delivery)
Support from the Involvement Team
The Involvement Team is available to support speakers with:
- Structuring presentations
- Tailoring content for a diverse audience
- Ensuring accessibility and clarity
- Practising or reviewing slides in advance
Before Each Meeting:
At the start of each meeting, we will request attendees’ permission to record the session.
- Recordings are used solely for notetaking and action logging purposes.
- Recordings and transcripts will not be shared or used for any other purpose without prior consent.
- Attendees will always have the option to decline participation in recordings
After your attendance:
If you have gathered feedback or lived experiences, please stay in contact with the Involvement Team so we can inform attendees of the outcomes of their contributions – ‘You said, we did”
The Involvement Teams contact details:
socialcareinvolvement-mailbox@devon.gov.uk