LINks will be set up from April 2008 . They will build on the work of Forums but they will be open to anyone to join. LINKs will cover all publiicly funded health and social care services in an area, no  matter who provides them.  They will make it easier for commissioners and managers to talk to communties and find out what they want. LINKs are part of the local accountabilty and scrutinity arrangements and they will have powers requiring health and socail care managers to respond to them .Links will also be able to refer maters to the Overview and Scrutiinity committees in councils that have social care responsibilities .

Not run by any public or Goverment organastion, LINKs will be truly independant. They will be hosted and supported by a communtiy organastion with experience of engaging a wide range of people.