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Design in public sector Application Form

"The information, tools, techniques, ideas and overall focus made us completely rethink the approach to our project which has been invaluable… ” "Very challenging in a good way. Helped us rethink our project and totally redefine it." "Very interactive twi days. Learning by doing and application. Exposed me to the practice of design as well as the principles and theories. Great facilitation and enthusiasm.” Delegate feedback from Cohort Two.

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Everything you need to know for Cohort 3

Date: 28 and 29 January 2015 Location: South East England (excluding London) Theme: Subject to challenges identified via application process Length of programme: 90 days Contact: Melani Oliver (melani.oliver@designcouncil.org.uk) Close of Application Date: 16 January 2015 Selection Panel: 19 January 2015

Introduction The challenges of reducing budgets and rising demand are ever present in public services, leading public service leaders to seek out new ways of working and thinking about the public services of the future. Across the UK and the world, new solutions are being tried and tested and key to many of these is the use of design thinking, methods and tools. Why design thinking There is a growing interest in design thinking in central and local government recognising the contribution it can make to addressing the challenges the public sector face. Key design principles can help teams with fundamental issues such as how to better understand user needs, how to test if a solution is right, how to improve collaborative working or how to grow an idea or take it to scale. Some of these have become part of the lexicon of public service innovation and a growing body of theory and practice shows that design can make a substantial contribution. Design can have a dramatic effect on services by turning them into commercial propositions that better meet market needs or attract funding. Design can also help to manage risk by identifying problems early through low-cost, iterative prototyping of new systems or services. Design in the Public Sector programme We recognise there is a growing movement of design thinking and innovation in public services and that there is much work already taking place in this area. Following on from the Restart Britain series, Design Council is collaborating with a wider network of sector professional such as Nesta, the Commissioning Academy, FutureGov and many others, using its collective power to support public services in gaining greater access, awareness and knowledge of the existing resources available to transform public services. Supported by the AHRC, the Design Council is delivering this programme of practical and immersive workshops across the UK to key individuals in local authorities.

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Who is the programme for and how will they benefit? The AHRC is funding three cohorts with 16 participants each. 6 to 8 Local Authorities will be invited and selected to participate in each regional event clustered around particular geographic and cross sectorial issues. The delegates will work as a cohort with peers from across councils addressing a shared challenge. They will be exposed to critical design leadership content and supported in a peer group learning environment to reframe their challenges and identify design led opportunities. They will receive the mentoring and guidance needed to implement new activity and tangible projects over a 90 day period and reconvene to share their knowledge. The first cohort was in the North West, the second in Yorkshire and Humberside and the final cohort will take place in the South East of England. Participants will benefit by: − Exploring common challenges: gaining insights into how they scope, shape and brief

design projects for commissioning around their own challenges − Learn by doing: developing leadership skills and capabilities by applying insights

directly to the live project − Peer to peer learning: develop peer group learning and professional development

experiences that are project focused − Design awareness: participants will be more design aware and more likely to submit

follow on applications to products and services already available − Measurement and evaluation: participants will be encouraged and guided on how to capture

and transfer knowledge inside and outside their own organization Focus on impact We already know from other work at the Design Council the benefits design thinking brings to public services. To monitor impact we will draw existing research and capture new insights, evidence and case studies from the workshop sessions. These will be shared widely, to the likes of public service delivery bodies or agencies, local politicians, local design industry, business leaders, and the local/regional design research community. Our ambition is to increase the level of understanding and usage of design skills across public services, exposing people to new ways of tackling challenges and enabling them to do something practical to meet their challenges in a relatively short period of time. How can I get involved? The application for the third cohort will be published on the 16 December 2014. Applicants must complete and return their forms by 16 January 2015. The selection panel will announce their decision on the 19 January 2015 and successful applicants will be notified within 2 working days of the decision.

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Applicants must be able to attend all 5 workshop days. Eligibility criteria We are seeking public sectors staff who are able and willing to work in collaboration with other local authorities and their partners on a key challenge facing local government. Public services are made up of large numbers of creative and dedicated people. We are looking for such people to apply who also have the power to influence and affect change. How we assess applications We are seeking applications from local authority officers and their partners who are actively aiming to transform and improve customer facing solutions and deliver efficiency gains over time through the use of design thinking. The selection of applicants will be based on a range of criteria, including commonality on a theme and location. We will assess applications on both the project identified and the individuals nominated to work on the project. Please ensure you provide details on both. We anticipate three to four individuals working on each project. Local Authorities can make more than one application. Please note if you are successful in gaining a place on the programme you will be required to: − Commit the appropriate number of days to this project − Invest appropriate funds into the development of your project − As a minimum, deliver a fortnightly blog and maintain a reflective diary which

will be shared in real time across the local government − Share relevant information for the purposes of evaluation and case

studies (where possible) − Your nominated project lead and appropriate partners will need to be available

to participate in five full-day workshops Submissions Applications will be assessed by a Selection Panel on the 19 January 2015. Please submit applications by noon 16 January 2015 together with any supporting information to: melani.oliver@designcouncil.org.uk, or post to: Melani Oliver, Design Leadership, Design Council, Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London EC1V 4AB. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

Application form

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Q1) Please describe your challenge. As a local authority delivering services, you will be facing a significant range of challenges. Please describe which challenge you would choose to work on and explain why. (Max 200 words)

Q2) What is the impact of not addressing this challenge? Tell us what the consequences of not addressing this issue are. (Max 200 words) Q3) How does your challenge link to the wider strategic aims of your organisation and/or external stakeholders? Tell us about the wider context and explain how your organization works with key partners and stakeholders. (Max 200 words) Q4) Where are you now? Tell us what you have already done to explore the issue you are facing, including any scoping, tendering, or consultancy you have already undertaken to support this area of work. (Max 100 words)

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Q5) How and where do you think design can help you with your challenge? (Max 100 words)

Q6) What KPIs and/or efficiencies are you aiming to achieve through this work? Tell us how you will measure the outcomes of this work, including budget changes and benefits to citizens. (Max 100 words) Q7) Please confirm that there is capacity for this work to be undertaken. Please tick this box to confirm Q7a) If you have participated in similar programmes previously or how some understanding of design thinking please provide details. Q8) How will you communicate this work to stakeholders and customers? Let us know about any knowledge platforms or communications channels you have (or would like to have) in place. Also use this space to tell us about any boards or panels you will need to report in to – elected officials, steering groups, voluntary organisations etc. (Max 100 words) Q9) Please confirm that you will be willing to share your learning with others through interviews, blogging/writing or speaking opportunities The Design Council is seeking to support the sector by sharing learning and making access to a range of opportunities transparent and easily accessible. We will require you to contribute to this in real time. Please share any thoughts on how this can best be achieved? Please tick this box to confirm

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Q10) What are the wider strategic aims for the improvements which need to be made through this work? Rank the statements below (5=most important, 1=least important) in order to give us an understanding of drivers behind your challenge.

Understanding customers and/or delivery partners better

Reshaping policy and strategy

Creating awareness of services and/or communicating the benefits of using them to customers

Rethinking the roles of people delivering services and the processes/rules used

Improving the service delivery experience for customers

Q11) What practical benefits are of key importance to you and your organisation? Aside from the desired improvements specific to your challenge/project, indicate to us which (if any) of the statements below would apply to you:

Make cost savings

Re-shaping policy and strategy

Improve customer satisfaction levels

Improve working practices

Act as a best practice model to other service providers

Launch a new service offer/innovation

Support staff to deliver innovation/new ways of working

Improve service delivery

Design in the public sector. Application Form

Q13) Please confirm the names and contact details of the nominated project manager and sponsor for this work. Include job titles and department/organisation name as well as telephone numbers and emails. The project manager nominated above will be our lead contact going forwards as will the sponsor. Please tick this box to confirm that they are engaged and have committed to participation before submitting this application. Q14) Who else would be a key stakeholder if your application is successful? Please list any individuals and organisations that will be expected to participate. Please sign/type your name to indicate that, to the best of your knowledge, the information provided in this form is correct (we will require a hardcopy version at a later date). Signature: Date: Signature of Chief Executive in support of this application: Date: Please submit applications, together with any supporting information to: leadership@designcouncil.org.uk Telephone: 020 7420 5275

Melani Oliver, Design Council, Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London EC1V 4AB.