A framework of tried and tested tools, guidance and practical examples to support innovation in public service delivery and deliver 'better for less'.

Why?

With tighter financial settlements, local providers are looking for innovative and more effective ways to deliver services, and respond to the new coalition government's themes of localism, decentralisation and the Big Society.

With up to 80% of local spending providing services that tackle social exclusion, incremental change and individual cuts are unlikely to meet the challenge. It is essential to look at new models of working.  The prize both in terms of efficiency and improved outcomes is potentially huge.

What?

The Effective Services Delivery Toolkit is a comprehensive set of tried and tested tools, models and guidance – developed by the sector for the sector and grounded in practice as well as theory – many of which are FREELY available to all public service deliverers.

The diagram below is a framework showing all the tools which are currently available in esd-toolkit.  This diargram will continually be updated to include new tools, guidance and support.

The arrow headings at the top of the diagram, from left to right, describe the various stages of the change process for creating new service design.  A hover box will describe the key features of each stage of the process.

The blue boxes represent the tools within esd-toolkit that can help at each stage of the change process.  Again a hover button will give a short description of the tool and each box has a direct link to the appropriate tool or section within esd-toolkit. Each tool can be used individually or in sequence as part of the bigger step-by-step process of improving services.

The upward arrows at the bottom of the diagram link to various forms of further support and guidance.

 

How?

The tools have been designed specifically

• to support Innovation and transformation of services and develop the strategic business case for change and social investment
• to identify barriers which may hinder change
• to build a robust understanding of key local challenges, community needs and preferences to inform service development tailored to the locality
• to optimise the use of technology for frontline service delivery and the empowerment across diverse communities
• to improve the delivery of frontline services and to proactively meet the needs of  vulnerable and disadvantaged communities
• to inform the re-modelling and diversification in service delivery and enable smarter working between partners
• increase productivity and deliver value for money
• to provide evidence of performance in the context of the make-up of the locality
• to manage information as a strategic asset and deliver transparency, evidence outcomes  and enable ‘true’ pubic scrutiny

Getting help

You can comment, raise queries and find answers to common questions specific to these tools and the work of the esd-toolkit programme in the esd-toolkit forums.  A highly active informal community of practitioners and peers is always online at the Local Government Association Knowledge Hub.  Events feature in depth descriptions of how esd-toolkit is used.  Queries specific to you can be mailed to support@esd.org.uk.  The esd-toolkit team and affiliated consultants can assist you in your offices if you need extra support.