Cues for system change, March 2017
The idea that underpins the Cues for change is that as policy-makers and those in leadership roles, within the public sector and local government in particular, you must be able and willing to explore the forces that drive change, to anticipate change and to develop an understanding of the possible impact that these changes may have. If leaders are more aware of the bigger picture, the prize is being better able to plan for uncertainty and become more adaptable in meeting change as it happens. The pace of change facing local government is unrelenting. Budget constraints, increasing demand, assessing more complex needs, technological advances, party politics and constitutional reform all create a turbulence and challenge for the public sector. The […]
Public Value Governance: Moving Beyond Traditional Public Administration and the New Public Management
A new public administration movement is emerging to move beyond traditional public administration and New Public Management. The new movement is a response to the challenges of a networked, multisector, no-one-wholly-in-charge world and to the shortcomings of previous public administration approaches. In the new approach, values beyond efficiency and effectiveness—and especially democratic values—are prominent. Government has a special role to play as a guarantor of public values, but citizens as well as businesses and nonprofit organizations are also important as active public problem solvers. The article highlights value-related issues in the new approach and presents an agenda for research and action to be pursued if the new approach is to fulfill its promise.
VSC Leadership Academy Programme 2013-14
This report captures some of the learning and thinking that took place during a Leadership Academy seminar held to explore the LA’s role in ensuring that all schools are good or outstanding, securing sufficient high quality pupil places and championing the needs of children and families who face the greatest challenges.
Managing Complexity and Uncertainties
Governments should make provisions for increasingly unpredictable and disruptive outcomes in the future, argues Lam Chuan Leong, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Governance and Leadership.
Learning to Make a Difference : School as a Creative Community
The education system is failing to meet the needs of too many learners today because it ill equips them for the challenges of an uncertain, turbulent world in which they will have to find solutions to challenges with other people. Drawing on some of the most innovative organisations in the world, including Pixar and Barcelona FC, Leadbeater builds a case for schools as a place where children go to explore, create, make and learn together in a creative community with a cause. School should be the place where learners can discover their passions and purpose –and inspire their active and collaborative, problem-solving learning.
The Art of Change Making
‘The Art of Change Making’ is a collection of theories, approaches, tools and techniques for understanding the complex interactions between people and organisations and how to intervene to create meaningful change. These are used by current practitioners in developing systems leadership. The Art of Change Making
The Revolution will be Improvised
Transforming services is hard. Organisations across the public, voluntary and private sectors are coming together to find new solutions to seemingly intractable problems by radically transforming their approach to services in their area. But whether they are tackling alcohol abuse or supporting people with dementia, their success is being determined by people and culture. “The Revolution will be Improvised” draws on insights from 25 multi-agency programmes around the country to discuss how people break or make collaboration and service transformation, and what we can learn from their experiences. Revolution will be improvised publication v3
Trafficking in Persons Report 2015
The 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report places a special emphasis on human trafficking in the global marketplace. It highlights the hidden risks that workers may encounter when seeking employment and the steps that governments and businesses can take to prevent trafficking, including a demand for transparency in global supply chains. “The bottom line is that this is no time for complacency. Right now, across the globe, victims of human trafficking are daring to imagine the possibility of escape, the chance for a life without fear, and the opportunity to earn a living wage. I echo the words of President Obama and say to them: We hear you, and we will do all we can to make that dream come true. […]
Co-production In Children’s Services – A think piece
A think piece written by VSC associate Anna Wright focusing on co-production and its relevance to children’s services and community resilience. It explores co-production as a growing method for planning and delivering children’s services, with a strengths-based approach at its heart. The paper defines co-production and the different ways it can be used. It provides examples of its use in children’s services. It identifies how it can be implemented and the benefits and risks of doing it. Finally, it explores how leaders in children’s services might deploy it as part of systems leadership. This is designed as a companion piece to the think piece ‘Changing Professional Behaviour: What Works’, which focuses on how to lead the cultural change required to […]
Changing Professional Behaviour: What Works
A think piece written by VSC Associate Melani Oliver focusing on the need for public services to change in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century and, in particular, the changes that are necessary in an organisation that wishes to build community resilience. As well as identifying the need for change, it explores some of the barriers and offers some insights to leaders in children’s services that will help them to create the right organisational culture and behaviours to meet the changing landscape. changing professional behaviour