Keith Fletcher writes:-My last major personal assignment was a new departure for me. I joined a team from KPMG, the international auditors. Our brief was to advise a local authority social services department how to stay within their control budget (which they had exceeded in previous years) while continuing to strengthen the quality of their services. All this was in the context of their response to a less than glowing SSI/Audit Commission Joint Review of their services the previous year.We had less than a month to undertake a review of the
whole department in order to develop a reasonable analysis of likely service
impact and the financial and management structure underpinning it. It was
a challenge! The outcome was a report with which we felt considerable professional
satisfaction. And the local authority was well pleased with the framework
for action it offered them. A nice piece of work; it was a pleasure to
be part of it.
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A broad strategy is needed which embraces
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In addition to the support people need to manage stress, bullying, racism, sexism and violence.
To offer you such a breadth of support we needed the expertise and experience of someone with an outstanding track record in what is now universally called “human resource management” to add to our existing resources. To cut a long story short we have joined forces for this project with Mike Cosgrove who has exactly that background. Among other things he has the experience of developing a new human resource management policy for Kent Social Services Department. He employed a range of radical solutions which will be of interest and value to social services managers. Now he is working as an independent consultant.
During the next few months we will be talking to local authorities, voluntary and independent agencies to tailor the service we offer to your needs. We will also talk to the Association of Directors of Social Services, TOPSS, Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly to get a national perspective.
If this is an issue for you get in touch
with me, Keith Fletcher, in the first instance and let’s discuss the problem
from your perspective and some ways of addressing it.
Best Value Courses |
But the good news is that we are still happy to provide in house courses and seminars tailored specifically to the needs of individual agencies. All you have to do is provide the venue, the people and the organisation and we will run the course you want. It’s a lot less expensive too. A place on an open one day course was £139 + VAT. The equivalent cost for a similar purchased or sponsored course for twelve participants is £46.83 + VAT per head. http/www.sssp.co.ukEverything covered in this edition of Update, and a good deal more besides, is covered in more detail on our website. And if you are in a hurry to get any of the information referred to on the response form you will find that there too, ready to download. You will also find a useful links page. When you get the hang of it it will take you almost anywhere a reasonable social services enquirer might want to go. Have a look. |
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keith@sssp.co.uk
tel +44 2920 863122 fax +44 2920 852147 |
Social Services Strategic Planning
FREEPOST SWC 1933Caerphilly CF83 3GZ |
Created 12 March 2000