The Strategy Unit in the Cabinet Office has surveyed the long term trends that make up the environment in which public services will function in the future. It sets out the main challenges and opportunities facing the country and the choices to be made in addressing them. It does not represent government policy. The Strategic Audit is intended primarily for central departments to provide a backcloth against which to develop policies. It is also a valuable aid for anyone in public service concerned with developing strategies because it gives indications about emergent strategic issues and areas where new initiatives are likely to appear from Whitehall.It sets out the Government’s vision of where the UK should be in 10-15 years. Future public confidence in government as a whole will depend on improving the quality of public services, with limited resources, and defining a new partnership between state and citizen. Confidence will also depend on improving people’s sense of order, cutting crime and enhancing public safety. Public services are still too variable in performance. Reform, more than resources, is seen as the key to sharp improvements in public service productivity and public satisfaction. Step changes in public service productivity mostly come from introducing radical reform programmes that are strategic, coherent, evidence-based, and implemented with consistent political will.
Jobcentre Plus is to improve its links with local authorities in response to a report from the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, which focused on the relationship with councils on the administration of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, and counter-fraud activity.The BFI found there had been some improvement in this area since an inspection by the former Benefits Agency in 2001. It noted, though, that Jobcentre Plus needed to do more to secure the benefits system from fraud and mistakes.
Read more on PLAN FOR CLOSER LINKS WITH COUNCILS TO BEAT BENEFIT FRAUD…
League tables measuring the performance of state secondary schools in improving the academic achievements of pupils, should take account of their economic, social and cultural backgrounds and of their achievements at earlier stages of their education, according to a report today. The recommendation comes in a report to Parliament by the head of the National Audit Office, Sir John Bourn.The document says that although not all relevant factors can be taken into account, adjusting for the influence of those external factors for which information is available, would provide a more robust and objective assessment of performance in terms of the difference schools make.
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Editors: Robert Gandossy, Marc Effron and Marshall Goldsmith.New and faster technology, redefined values, and shifting customer demands are changing the way organizations operate in the twenty-first century. HR professionals and organization leaders are faced with the challenge of redefining their strategies on leadership, talent, and diversity, while evaluating their operational effectiveness. This book presents the compelling contributions of thought leaders-such as David Ulrich, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, and Jeffrey Pfeffer-who offer a road map for what these leaders can expect. Renowned HR executives also provide their expert advice and prescriptions for the future. The nature of human resources will continue to evolve as the new century progresses – with this book, HR professionals can change with it.
A new report from the Social Services Inspectorate into local councils’ provision of services for older people, highlights a cultural shift in social care towards a focus on promoting independence and offering people choice and empowerment.The report,’Improving Older People’s Services – An Overview of Performance’, assesses the progress made by councils in modernising and providing good quality social services for older people.
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The scheme set up to equip all National Health Service staff with basic computer skills has been voted Online Learning Solution of the Year. The NHS Information Authority’s European Computer Driving Licence took the award at the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition after being highly praised by the judges.Since the ECDL service was launched in March this year more than 40,000 people have registered for IT training, and the prestigious award may be only the first for the scheme. It has also been nominated for two further accolades by the Institute of IT Training – e-Learning Project of the Year and Internal Project of the Year.
Read more on LEARNING AWARD FOR NHS COMPUTER ‘DRIVING LICENCES’…
There has been mixed reaction from public sector groups to the Queen’s Speech, setting out the government’s legislative programme. While many of the proposed measures have been welcomed, there has been criticism over areas not included in the Bills to be laid before the next session of Parliament.In its immediate reaction to the plans, the Local Government Association gave a warm welcome to the announcement that the new Fire and Rescue Services’ Bill is about to start its legislative journey. The LGA has lobbied for many of the proposed changes that it believes will deliver more emphasis on prevention. But the Association had hoped the bill would tackle what it sees as one of the most important potentially life-saving changes – the installation of sprinklers in schools and domestic premises. It says it will continue to push the government to make this a statutory requirement.
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A report released today by from crime reduction charity Nacro, says thousands of children may be missing from the school system and it wants the Government to tackle truancy by providing a more flexible national curriculum, putting practical and vocational education on an equal footing with academic learning.The report, ‘Missing Out’, finds that children who have stronger practical skills can become disillusioned by a system that places too much emphasis on academic achievement – and that can lead to future offending.
Read more on CURRICULUM CHANGE CAN TACKLE PROBLEM OF ‘MISSING’ CHILDREN SAYS NACRO…
The government’s training schools programme has had a positive effect on initial teacher training, according to a report today from the Office for Standards in Education. But Ofsted says the schools involved in the scheme could achieve even more with better self-evaluation.Under the first two phases of the scheme, which began in 2000 and 2001, 82 schools were given training school status. With it they were given extra funding to develop and disseminate good practice in Initial Teacher Training and to train teachers to mentor trainees. Today’s Ofsted report, ‘An Evaluation of the Training Schools Programme’, finds that it represents good value for money.
Read more on OFSTED SAYS TRAINING SCHOOLS PROGRAMME AIDS TEACHER RECRUITMENT…
This document from the Office of Government Commerce sets out guidance for public bodies making use of the innovative procurement technique of eAuctions. The process involves suppliers competing in real time by bidding lower as the auction unfolds. eAuctions comply with the EC Directives on Supplies and Services, Utilities and Works. They offer efficient, open and transparent negotiations either for lowest price or most economically advantageous tender, as part of a full procurement process. They give value for money efficiencies in public sector contracts. Cost savings of 20 – 25% are not uncommon.Further information and case studies on the use of eAuctions can be found in “eProcurement: Cutting through the hype”, at http://www.ogc.gov.uk/index/asp?id=2314