Public Service Improvement Framework
What is it?
The Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) is a self-assessment tool, which encourages organisations to conduct a systematic and comprehensive review of their own activities and results. It is based on the EFQM Excellence Model and incorporates the use of the Investors in People standard, Charter Mark and Best Value principles. In essence, PSIF is a streamlined approach to organisational improvement for the public sector.
Does it work?
The Public Service Improvement Framework has been developed in partnership with West Lothian Council, Quality Scotland and Investors in People Scotland. With the support of the Improvement Service, these partners will now help implement PSIF across other public services in Scotland. West Lothian Council had been using the Excellence Model for a number of years and saw an opportunity to streamline business improvement initiatives. Working in tandem with Quality Scotland and Investors in People Scotland, they developed the PSIF, which has been successfully implemented across their 49 services. The deployment of this framework has contributed to many of the organisation’s improvements and successes, including having won LGC Council of the Year 2006, The Scottish Awards for Business Excellence 2005-06, achieved an excellent Best Value Audit in 2005, attainment of Charter Mark for many services and the continued retention of the Investors in People standard.
How can we get involved?
Currently, the PSIF partners are working with four organisations to undertake the first phase of the PSIF programme. As the Public Service Improvement Framework is a complex yet powerful tool, your organisation may require a degree of maturity in fields such as the Excellence Model or Investors in People before it can successfully implement PSIF. As a quick guide, you may wish to respond to the following questionnaire known as the PSIF e-readiness tool here.
To find out more about the Public Service Improvement Framework or to get involved, contact Dave Bradley on 0131 556 2333 or dave.bradley@qualityscotland.co.uk.
