WIREDGOV

Government Departments must invest in their Private Office staff if they are to give Ministers the support they need according to Darryl Howe of the National School of Government, which today launched Private Office Community – designed to help officials meet exacting requirements and make the most of this great career opportunity.

Darryl explained: “Ministers rely on their Private Office staff – to manage their diaries, help ensure that their time is focused on their priorities, get the best support from their Departments to meet their needs, and to make sure that they get the time they need to think. These are crucial roles, but there is insufficient investment in the development of the people who undertake them.”

Part of the National School’s Centre for Working with Ministers and Parliament (CWMP), which recently celebrated its first anniversary, Private Office Community caters for staff in all roles and at all levels.

For those new to Private Office, a Foundation Workshop offers the best possible introduction, with subsequent role-specific workshops designed to fit hectic schedules and timetabled not to clash with Ministerial commitments. Workshops feature ‘real-time’ work issues, with input from former and serving Ministers and Private Office staff as appropriate.

Face-to-face development is supported by a dedicated Private Office Community portal providing access to e-learning and an on-line networking facility designed to complement informal Private Office networks. Private Office Community also features consultancy, and development interventions designed to Departmental requirements.

CWMP – home to Private Office Community – helps to provide officials with an understanding of the ministerial and parliamentary environment, trains officials in briefing and drafting, and helps officials prepare for Select Committee appearances. Centre publications such as ‘Working with Ministers’ and the National School e-learning programme ‘Understanding the Civil Service’ provide context and pointers to those unfamiliar with this area of work.

For more information visit www.nationalschool.gov.uk/privateoffice , or contact Darryl Howe on 01344 634434 (email: darryl.howe@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk).



Notes to editors

1. The National School of Government is the centre of excellence for innovation in learning and development in support of public service transformation and became a government department in 2007. It strives to ensure the highest professional and academic standards in organisational and people development. Visit www.nationalschool.gov.uk for more information.
2. The National School’s Centre for Working with Ministers & Parliament was created in May 2007 to give officials the skills, confidence and understanding they need to excel in the support for ministers. Visit www.nationalschool.gov.uk/cwmp for more information.

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