By Jane Nokes A high profile investigation in 2000 saw the Crown Prosecution Service tagged as ‘institutionally racist’ and criticised for poor employment practices. Jane Nokes describes the Diversity Excellence Model that was used to benchmark the starting point for addressing the race issue and for measuring progress. She also explains how the model linked back to the aims, objectives and business of the organization.
By Paul Johnson The development of interactive websites, contact centers, one stop shops, information kiosks and digital TV will potentially bring many benefits to customers, but they also bring risk. The author maintains that many local councils have no formal risk management strategies in place. He outlines some of the issues that need to be addressed in devising a risk management strategy.
By Richard Macfarlane and Mark Cook. Including community benefit requirements such as employment and training opportunities in re-generation contracts has many supporters including the House of Commons Education and Employment Committee. The authors have looked at what are seen as barriers to getting a better deal for the community. They chart a way that public service organizations can secure community benefits without infringing Government procurement policy or EU procurement rules.
By Babak Khakpour Reproduced by permission of eGov Monitor Weekly. Jim Haslem, President of the Society of IT Management and Head of Information Systems at the London Borough of Bromley talks to Babak Khakpour about the National Strategy for local eGovernment and fundamental issues for implementing the plan. He expresses concerns about the connections between local government and the other parts of the public sector. He senses that big decisions are being taken without the implications being thought through.
Circle 33 Housing Association ran out of space and decided to install an electronic records system rather than get more accommodation. The decision went beyond space saving and brought a transformation of processes.
By Julia Eadie Reproduced by permission of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. The Public Service Leaders Scheme helps leaders from the Civil Service, local government, the NHS and the Police to work together, learn about different cultures and develop leadership skills. Julia Eadie, Head of the scheme’s secretariat, describes the features of the learning network, which has now reached its third intake of leaders who spend between one to three years honing their skills.
By Duncan Eaton. Reproduced by permission of eGov Monitor Weekly. Providing thousands of suppliers using myriad different systems with the opportunity to trade electronically with the health service is the challenge facing the Purchasing and Supply Agency of the NHS. Duncan Eaton, who heads the Agency, describes how work is going on with pilot supply confederations to give greater leverage to the NHS over quality and service and bring benefits to suppliers.
By Ivana La Valle, Sue Arthur, Christine Millward, James Scott with Marion Clayden. A survey of parents with children under 17 revealed substantial numbers working outside ‘normal’ hours. The authors present the survey findings and policy implications for the work-life balance, the Working Time Directive and childcare provision.
By David Walker. Reproduced by permission of the Public Management and Policy Association. As the flow of announcements about increased freedom to manage public services locally continues, calls for more freedom go on unabated. David Walker argues that the issue is complex and he quotes the views of leaders in different fields who are concerned about getting the right central-local balance.
By Trefor Lloyd Main stream systems do little to prepare underachieving young men in the final school years for the world of work. The author describes how a programme involving classroom work and visits overcame barriers and brought the participants back from the margins. He argues for a more flexible approach by schools and training across the professions involved in the problem.