The Smart Guides to Engagement series is for everyone working in or with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). The guides reflect principles and practice that get results in patient and public engagement and partnerships with local authorities and community organisations.

The Guides are designed to provide pragmatic, relevant and practical approaches to good patient and public engagement (PPE) – how people can have a say in the planning, designing and delivering services. This will help ensure success at all levels and at every stage of the commissioning cycle. Good engagement helps deliver inclusive and successful commissioning. The guides are not a toolkit or a checklist. They focus on people, relationships, leadership and creating value – all dimensions of a successful social business that do not depend on legislation or a particular management structure.