IiP standard retained by Wokingham
Wokingham Borough Council continues to meet the Investors in People (IiP) standard – that’s the verdict of IiP assessor Mike White, who has recently been conducting a review at the council offices covering 70 staff from a number of services and from a wide variety of front-line, support and managerial levels. He calls this “a remarkable achievement given the volume, nature and pace of change within some of the services and the pressures on the authority as a whole.”
The full Wokingham report from Mr White’s findings will be considered by corporate managers, elected council members and a forum including UNISON and staff representatives from across the council. An action plan will be prepared to ensure learning points and suggestions for improvement are taken on board.
The report praises the “thorough way that action plans are developed to address important areas” and notes that most staff have “very positive perceptions of immediate managers, who are viewed as supportive, encouraging contributions and development.” It noted positive responses from staff about the council offering flexible working, equal opportunities and family friendly employment, and favourable comments on the supportive and sensitive use of compassionate leave. In his discussion with staff the assessor did learn, however, that “resources are never seen as sufficient to provide the quality of the service that people would like to give.”
The Wokingham council asked that the assessment focus particularly on children’s services, as this service has been through complete structural reform and the council is keen to make sure that the results are proving positive for staff. After interviewing children’s services staff, the assessor said that “the vast majority, but not all, of those interviewed felt that the picture was now much clearer than twelve months ago. There is a much more coherent shared understanding of the vision and direction of travel of the service.”
Overall the assessor’s report is extremely complimentary about Wokingham Borough Council staff. It says: “The core service and business planning processes are well established and a suite of communication, performance management and human resource development systems works well to ensure people across the authority are informed, consulted, well led and provide effective and efficient services.
“Retaining the standard against such a backdrop of change is in very large measure due to the commitment and energy of people and managers across the authority.”
Acting Wokingham chief executive Paul Turrell said: “This is an excellent result that all staff should be very proud of. The council has been through some very testing times of change, but is clearly emerging as an even more efficient organisation, with an enthusiastic and skilled team who are experienced at doing a great job with limited resources, and keen to make the most of their skills.”
Executive member for Wokingham corporate services Cllr Rob Stanton said: “I’m glad to see the efforts of staff at the council recognised in this way. It just goes to show how well the different services are working together as a team and how much can be achieved when staff believe in the work they do. My thanks go out to all staff. Without their hard work the council’s high level of service would not be possible.”
The full Wokingham report from Mr White’s findings will be considered by corporate managers, elected council members and a forum including UNISON and staff representatives from across the council. An action plan will be prepared to ensure learning points and suggestions for improvement are taken on board.
The report praises the “thorough way that action plans are developed to address important areas” and notes that most staff have “very positive perceptions of immediate managers, who are viewed as supportive, encouraging contributions and development.” It noted positive responses from staff about the council offering flexible working, equal opportunities and family friendly employment, and favourable comments on the supportive and sensitive use of compassionate leave. In his discussion with staff the assessor did learn, however, that “resources are never seen as sufficient to provide the quality of the service that people would like to give.”
The Wokingham council asked that the assessment focus particularly on children’s services, as this service has been through complete structural reform and the council is keen to make sure that the results are proving positive for staff. After interviewing children’s services staff, the assessor said that “the vast majority, but not all, of those interviewed felt that the picture was now much clearer than twelve months ago. There is a much more coherent shared understanding of the vision and direction of travel of the service.”
Overall the assessor’s report is extremely complimentary about Wokingham Borough Council staff. It says: “The core service and business planning processes are well established and a suite of communication, performance management and human resource development systems works well to ensure people across the authority are informed, consulted, well led and provide effective and efficient services.
“Retaining the standard against such a backdrop of change is in very large measure due to the commitment and energy of people and managers across the authority.”
Acting Wokingham chief executive Paul Turrell said: “This is an excellent result that all staff should be very proud of. The council has been through some very testing times of change, but is clearly emerging as an even more efficient organisation, with an enthusiastic and skilled team who are experienced at doing a great job with limited resources, and keen to make the most of their skills.”
Executive member for Wokingham corporate services Cllr Rob Stanton said: “I’m glad to see the efforts of staff at the council recognised in this way. It just goes to show how well the different services are working together as a team and how much can be achieved when staff believe in the work they do. My thanks go out to all staff. Without their hard work the council’s high level of service would not be possible.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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