Jonathan Werran 17 May 2013

Charter sets ambitious standards for public services

Ministers have published a charter setting out standards of service the public sector should achieve and what users should expect to recieve.

The Choice Charter has been published alongside the Government’s second annual update on the Open Public Services programme - which outlines the Coalition’s agenda for modernising the delivery of public services.

The charter is aligned to the five Choice Frameworks coving choices available to people accessing NHS care services, social housing, social care, education and funded early education.

Among achievements listed in the update are the Community Organisers programme - which has recruited 195 mentors who could, in turn train up to 5,000 people to take control of neighbourhood decisions – the 81 Free Schools and 2,886 academy schools and the extension of payment by result schemes for getting people back into work and drug rehabilitation.

The Government also published its response to David Boyle’s independent review of barriers to choice in public services, endorsing his recommendations to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds get access to better public services.

Mr Boyle’s review, published in January, concluded that less articulate and confident people, often from lower socio-economic groups, are more likely to be denied choice in major services such as health and education.

David Laws, minister of state for schools and the Cabinet Office said the Open Public Services programme was giving individuals and communities greater power to mould services around specific needs.

‘Thanks to David Boyle’s review, we have been able to understand the barriers that stop people from exercising choice and have put plans in place to dismantle those hurdles,’ Mr Laws said.

‘In a digital age, people expect to be able to access the services they want at a time and place that works for them, said Oliver Letwin, minister for Government policy.

‘Through the Open Public Services programme we are releasing the Government’s grip on local service and unleashing a wave of bottom up innovation that is transforming how services are delivered, accessed and experienced.’

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highways Supervisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£44982 - £54500
Job Title Highways Supervisor... Richmond
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Communication Support Worker

Durham County Council
£33,673 - £37,563 pro rata
Required – Temporary, grade 8, term time only plus 2 weeks.  8 hours per week until 31 August 2027. Are you looking or a role in school supporting th Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Outreach Workers

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £29,071 - £32,046
We are looking for enthusiastic and committed practitioners to join our Family Hub Teams supporting children and Families to deliver services in comm Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Admin Officer

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598 pro rata (pay award pending)
Required to work term time only plus 2 weeks during summer holidays. 8am-4pm. Wingate Nursery School is looking for an exceptionally organised, warm, Wingate
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata (pay award pending)
Required to work 12 hours per week, 05.30-08.00 or 15.30-18.00 Monday-Friday, Term Time plus 3 weeks to be worked during school holidays. We are seek Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner