Workforcematters Homepage
This website provides information and practical guidance on current and emerging workforce issues in our public services. These pages are managed by the Cabinet Office Public Service Workforce Team, which works with Government, employers and trade unions to deliver a shared ambition for excellent public services.
The Cabinet Office has commissioned a study about how to achieve a vision for world class public services where policy making is grounded in front-line evidence and experience. The independent report by the Sunningdale Institute sets out a number of recommendations for how to establish better ways of engaging with those working at the front-line when formulating and developing policies. This is important as it will ensure that Whitehall develops policies that are innovative, effective and relevant. The Government will issue a response to the recommendations in June.
The Learning and Skills Task Group of the Public Services Forum has published a report on learning and skills challenges and priorities in public services:
The recommendations contained in this report were launched on 1 December by Tom Watson, the PSF Chair and Cabinet Office Parliamentary Secretary, at the Public Sector Skills Conference.
In addition, the Task Group has undertaken a case study of the adult social care sector to test the effectiveness and practicalities of the above policy recommendations. By reality testing the policy recommendations, we hope to improve significantly the quality and practicality of the initiatives that will eventually be introduced across all public services.
The Task Group was co-chaired by Frances O'Grady (TUC Deputy General Secretary) and David Amos (Director of Workforce, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust).
The Joint Statement on Access to Skills, Trade Unions and Advice in Government Contracting was launched by the Cabinet Office on 15 July 2008.
The Joint Statement aims to improve the quality of services delivered under Government contracts by raising the skills of service providers' employees and by helping to ensure fair treatment.
Drive for Change is a simple, practical tool to help with change management. It aims to improve the delivery of public services through better staff engagement in the design and implementation of service improvements.
Drive for Change is a web-based toolkit for public service employers, trade unions and employees to use together to support closer dialogue and joint working to take forward change, or redesign of, services.
This initiative was developed jointly by the Cabinet Office and TUC and can be accessed through this link: Drive for Change [External website].