By Rosemary Crompton, Jane Dennett and Andrea Wigfield. The world of work is changing rapidly. Long-established job hierarchies have been swept away and more flexible ways of working have been widely adopted. More women with young children are remaining in employment and many employers are introducing flexible policies designed to improve work-life balance. The authors explore the tensions between career development and family life in the private and public sectors.

By Doria Pilling, Paul Barrett and Mike Floyd The Internet can give disabled people a sense of achievement, and in some cases independence, but it also has the potential to increase social exclusion. The authors present the views of disabled Internet users and of non users on support currently available and barriers to greater use.

By Charlotte Revely. Reproduced by permission of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. The future for public services is radical change. The reading on the change ‘Richter’ scale is set to rise. For the people concerned in the upheavals this is the time to take stock. The author describes the way the issue is being tackled in the Civil Service and how people are being helped to establish what they want to do, and work out how to get it. This can convert threat to opportunity.

By Jessica Mugaseth. Reproduced by permission of the Public Management and Policy Association. Life expectancy in Wales is some three years less than the best in Europe and figures for the long-term sick are disproportionately high. Hospital waiting lists are longer than in England, despite much higher spending. Derek Wanless, author of the comprehensive report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the future of the NHS has advised the Welsh Assembly that the current position of the NHS in Wales is not sustainable. The author summaries the report findings and looks at likely changes.

By Sue Yeandle, Judith Phillips, Fiona Scheibl, Andrea Wigfield and Sarah Wise Over the past decade many organisations have developed policies which offer their employees more flexibility at work and support at times of stress or pressure in combining employment with parental or caring responsibilities. The authors looked at the implementation of the policies and found that line managers are much more influential than senior managers, human resources departments, or legislation. They offer suggestions for better delivery of family friendly policies.

By Ewart Wooldridge. Reproduced by permission of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. Professional learning comes in many shapes and sizes. Ewart Wooldrige, Director of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies, describes how a group of civil servants from different organizations have managed their own development over the past five years. He explains how, with a minimum of ‘professional’ input, the group have shared experiences and supported each other.

By Tracey Reynolds, Claire Callender and Rosalind Edwards The authors set out to identify the impact of mothers’ employment on family and relationships and this they do. They also discovered that what happens while mothers’ are at work is hugely important in relation to what happens at home. They offer suggestions for family-friendly workplace policies and practices.

By David Eccles Responding to online enquiries has become a key issue for public services and a recent survey revealed much scope for improvement. David Eccles, who played a key role in developing a successful website for the DfES, sets out some guiding principles and practical advice for achieving user friendliness.

By Meredith Cook. Reproduced by permission of the Public Management and Policy Association. The Freedom of Information Act will come into effect in January 2005 after the longest period of implementation of any country. The author reviews the impact of the Act on existing legislation and highlights the way in which restrictions on disclosure will be swept away. He also suggests issues to be addressed now as part of the process of getting the Act together.

By Holly Sutherland, Tom Sefton and David Piachaud. Poverty is relative, because it is defined in terms of average incomes. In the last four years incomes rose by 10% and the poverty line rose by the same figure. The authors looked at all factors influencing those with the lowest incomes. They conclude that the 2004 targets for poverty reduction are likely to be met. For the longer term, substantially more redistribution to the poorest will be needed and continuing priority will have to be given to the goal of ending child poverty.