Better Public Services: Joined-up Public Services

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JOINED UP PUBLIC SERVICES

Checklist for success

Joining up problems often arise when people understand too little about each other's organisation's culture and priorities. Setting time aside to discuss this is time well spent. While there are principles common to all types of partnership - i.e. building trust, clear understanding of agendas and contributions, etc - actions and protocols may vary, particularly across the different levels of partnerships. In joined up or partnership working there is no ‘one fits all’ model, however, we have identified some features that are common to successful models.

Check list for Successful joined- up working

Leadership	o Build commitment and champion the cause. o Build consensus and obtain wide ranging buy in. o Develop the vision and values. o Establish shared values and principles. o Create an agreed and shared common agenda. o Build trust and strengthen relationships. o Act as a role model and motivator. o Communicate clear ideas and concepts in lay terms. o Consult at all levels to consider views particularly front line staff. Involve all levels in decision making.
Networking and Alliances	o Agree communication strategy. o Involve of all stakeholders in planning and prioritisation. o Develop joint approach to potential changes and challenges. o Agree formal conflict resolution and exit strategies.
Accountability	o Establish clear responsibility at every level. o Ensure mutual accountability of all partners. o Ensure transparency of accountability mechanisms to all partners and stakeholders.
Performance	o Agree performance management framework. o Define roles, responsibilities and contributions. o Establish ownership of objectives, targets and milestones set by those responsible. o Ensure adequate resources are made available to achieve partnership goals.
Skills	o Understand the skills and competencies needed to implement agreed strategy. o Agree skills and resources available to the partnership. o Agree training and development strategy.
Trust	o Establish openness as part of the culture and give equal say in decisions. o Understand and respect the differences between partners. o Deal with discord and dissatisfaction promptly. o Share of contributions, risks and rewards.
Learning	o Hold regular joint reviews of working and achievements. o Continually seek to improve activities and ways of working. o Recognise and use the talents available from the partnership. o Build flexible structures that encourage and reward innovation.
Resources	o Commit time and resource to ensure agreed outcome is achieved.
IT	o Ensure the right technical skills and infrastructures are in place to support the achievement of goals.
Funding	o Contribution from partners to match agreed priorities. o Adequate resources from partners with pooled budgets. o Spending is agreed through partnership mechanisms.

Contents

	Introduction
	What is joined up working?
	Why join up?
	Government Strategy
	Guidance
	Checklist for successful Joined Up Working
	General Links
	International links

Last Updated: January 2002