Service First Quality Networks
What are Quality Networks?
The Quality Networks are locally run by groups of people
from all areas and levels of public service which aim to:
 | share information on developments in best practice; |
| compare progress in areas of common interest; |
| build partnerships between public service organisations; |
| encourage problem sharing and solving. |
There are 24 Quality
Networks throughout the United kingdom, with over 2,000 members from across
the public sector.
Benefits of membership.
Networks are not intended to replace your existing
contacts, but to give you the opportunity to expand the knowledge and expertise available
to your organisation.
The greatest potential benefit of you joining your Local
Network will be the opportunity to meet others in your area to discuss quality of service
issues that may be of concern to you. Most public service organisations have similar
problems to overcome. By pooling your experience you can help each other to solve the, and
perhaps avoid reinventing the wheel. You can also benchmark your organisation against
others. There is also the potential for looking at creating partnerships between
organisations.
You will be able have the opportunity to
comment on, and influence, the direction of the Public Service Reform
agenda as well as involvement in
new projects.
How are they run?
Each Network has a leader, or a group of leaders who are
volunteers, organising Network meetings and activities on top of their own jobs with
support from the Cabinet Office. If you are interested in becoming a leader, please contact one of your local leaders or ring
the Cabinet Office. Networks are largely self financing (there is
no blueprint to how they are organised or run) and they may charge nominal fees for
membership or Network activity.
The Cabinet Office aims to raise the quality of public services and make them more responsive to their
users. It builds on the achievements of the Citizen’s Charter, but gives a new
emphasis to 4 main themes: quality; effectiveness; responsiveness; and working
together. It is underpinned by the nine principles of public service delivery :
| Set Standards of Service |
| Be Open and Provide Full Information |
| Consult and Involve |
| Encourage Access and the promotion of Choice |
| Treat All Fairly |
| Put Things Right When They Go Wrong |
| Use Resources Effectively |
| Innovate and Improve |
| Work with Other Providers |
The Cabinet Office has a strategic
planning and co-ordinating role in working with the Quality Networks to achieve these
principles. It provides leadership and training for leader’s.
Cabinet Office staff and representatives from the Networks meet
quarterly at a Best Practice Forum to discuss ideas and strategy for the Networks and to
update and seek the involvement and views of the Networks on service delivery issues.
In addition, Cabinet Office staff and
Charter Mark Assessors attend meetings to keep members up to date with developments in
Public Service Reform and to help those members who are thinking of applying for
Charter Mark.
There is also a Challenge Fund available for the Quality
Networks. This fund aims to help promote closer working
between public sector organisations. Networks bid for funds and are expected to match
resources (for example by matching funds or providing leader time).
How to get involved.
Easy. Simply look through the Directory
of Networks to find out who your local Network leader is and give them a
ring. Leaders contactable by e-mail are highlighted in blue.
If you want to talk to someone about Networks please contact :
Ajay
Jagatia
Centre for Management & Policy Studies
Cabinet Office
Admiralty Arch
London
SW1A 2WH
Tel : 020 7 276 1763
Fax : 020 7 276 1703
Send us your comments
on the Service First web site |
