Support to implement this framework

Short summary

 
This page sets out sources of support for councils adopting the national self-evaluation framework. It introduces the Public Service Improvement Framework, Peer Collaborative Improvement, Internal Audit, and External Consultancy as options that can add capacity, challenge and assurance. 

Key information 

  • Support is available to help councils adopt a consistent and rigorous approach.
  • Tools and methods vary across authorities but should align with the framework.
  • Options include the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF), Peer Collaborative Improvement (PCI), Internal Audit and External Consultancy

Tools

Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) targeted assessment

The Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) is a self-assessment approach to support improvement in an organisation using a comprehensive review of their own activities and results.  PSIF can be used to focus upon specific areas or topics, which we refer to as ‘Red Threads’. This would allow the service to focus upon a particular area or topic, without having to complete the full framework.  This would especially support the thematic self-evaluation (deep dive) approach discussed elsewhere in this resource.

PSIF checklists have been mapped to the overall self-evaluation framework in this resource, and the process introduces externality to the self-evaluation

Read more about PSIF

Peer Collaborative Improvement (PCI) project

Peer collaborative improvement (PCI) supports local authorities to improve a specific area of focus with guidance and collaboration from peer local authorities. Peer collaborative improvement is carried out by a team comprised of the host local authority, the Improvement Service and peer reviewers. The peer collaborative improvement will be led by the host local authority, coordinated, managed and facilitated by the Improvement Service, and peer reviewers will be from other local authorities or partner organisations, who have the necessary subject expertise to understand and drive improvement. 

Read more info about PCI

Internal Audit

A council’s internal audit function will conduct a series of investigations each year into areas of interest.  On occasion, these could align with the areas identified for a thematic self-evaluation, such as 1.1 Improvements in Performance, 8.2 Financial Management, 8.3 Resource Management or 8.4 Information Systems. 

External Consultancy

An independent review can be helpful where self-evaluation culture needs to develop, or where an objective view would add value. External consultancy can provide evidence, challenge and insight for the authority to consider. 

Access more info about External Consultancy

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