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The social care challenge

• Posted on March 22, 2018 by Michael Burke

  Would you be willing to pay more tax to fund care? What about paying more towards your own or your parents’ care in old-age or if you find yourself in need of disabled care? What quality of care would you expect? Are you an unpaid carer yourself? Compromises may be needed in the funding and delivery of social care in light of the combined pressures of cuts in the budgets of local governments, which spend £14.8 billion funding the care, and the high vacancy and turnover rates in the adult social care sector. Our recent reports highlight the scale of the challenges facing the government as it plans for the future. more… The social care challenge

  Tagged: Children, Disability, Elderly, Employee engagement, Financial sustainability, Health, Local government, Public finances, Skills, Social care

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The future of government offices: early lessons

• Posted on September 29, 2017 by Paul Wright-Anderson

  Government is being transformed through changes ranging from digital delivery to downsizing and devolution. To match new delivery approaches, buildings need modernisation, organisations need to be co-located, and appealing locations should help to attract the necessary skills. In response, government property is undergoing a revolution, with regional “Hubs” and an integrated public sector estate. But there are big challenges to be addressed. Can the public sector work together to achieve the expected benefits? more… The future of government offices: early lessons

  Tagged: Business operations, Contract management, Cost reduction, Cross-government, Employee engagement, Property, Public sector reform, Risk management, Shared services, Skills

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Managing conflicts of interest and keeping public trust

• Posted on August 18, 2017 by Jacob Holliday

  High profile incidents remind individuals and organisations just how important it is to manage potential conflicts of interest. In March 2017, the Court of the Bank of England commissioned a review of the institution’s approach to managing conflicts of interest. The review was prompted by the resignation of Charlotte Hogg who had been Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking. A report from the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee published in March 2017 had raised concerns about her compliance with the Bank’s rules governing conflicts of interest. As part of its Review the Bank invited the NAO to contribute a briefing paper on managing conflicts of interest. It’s a timely opportunity for the whole public sector to consider whether it’s managing conflicts of interest effectively. more… Managing conflicts of interest and keeping public trust

  Tagged: Accountability, Business operations, Conflict of interest, Contract management, Cross-government, Employee engagement, Good practice principles, International, Investigations, Local government, Regulation & consumer protection, Reporting, Risk management

  4 Comments

Our defence estate – right size, right condition, right price?

• Posted on December 12, 2016 by Jeremy Lonsdale

  The UK’s biggest ever aircraft carrier, the nuclear deterrent… behind the large and expensive defence programmes that we hear about are people. People who need suitable work environments and a home – and that means buildings. The built estate is a vital part of our defence capability. Yet the Ministry of Defence (MOD) faces a shortfall of at least £8.5 billion of funding over the next 30 years just to bring its buildings up to a good standard of condition. And that doesn’t include the homes for service families, many of which have been a cause of growing dissatisfaction. With housing crucial to morale and staff retention, there’s considerable interest in ensuring our service personnel are satisfied with their homes. So what is the current state of the MoD’s buildings and what are the lessons for other organisations managing large property estates? more… Our defence estate – right size, right condition, right price?

  Tagged: Business operations, Employee engagement, Estate management, Financial sustainability, Good practice principles, Housing, Infrastructure, Property, Skills

  2 Comments

Want happy, productive, knowledgeable staff?

• Posted on April 28, 2016 by Steve Mirfin

  Engaged employees can increase business performance by 4.5 times. No wonder several of our reports have highlighted the problems related to low employee engagement, as measured in the Civil Service People Survey. Being a body that tries to practice what we preach, one way we upskill, inspire, amuse and otherwise engage our people is our annual Learnfest.

  more… Want happy, productive, knowledgeable staff?

  Tagged: Behaviour change, Employee engagement, Performance management, Skills

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