Step 4: Consult

1. Make the draft policy available for formal consultation with the relevant approval body and any other University Committee with responsibility over implementation of the policy. To determine the requirements for formal consultation and endorsement specific to your policy read Policy Approval Bodies. You can also look into the approval of other policies in the same area as examples.
2. Consider all constructive feedback and where deemed necessary or useful, incorporate in the policy.

1. Consult stakeholders and interested parties throughout the development or review of a policy. Consultation helps identify gaps, test policy principles, identify implementation issues and test the usability and language of a policy. You can, for example:
   • Establish a policy development working group with key stakeholders
   • Consult a key group of experts as a policy advisory group at different stages of drafting
   • Interview policy experts
   • Organise focus groups to resolve specific policy issues or implementation issues
   • Organise a policy workshop for key groups to discuss policy principles, review draft policy or resolve implementation issues
   • Consult key groups as part of regular communication to these groups or as part of regular meeting(s) with these groups
   • Consult university wide or with specific groups in the form of a survey
   • Send tailored emails
   • Provide online material, such as an open consultation on a website or forum or open feedback forms

Draft Policy Version 2 and subsequent versions

• Policy Approval Bodies
• Policy Stakeholders
• Example of policy consultation – Fitness to Continue in Study Policy and Procedure