Policy work is about delivering change in the real world. This is important and challenging work: the problems tackled matter to and have a real impact on millions of people both in the UK and abroad, and are often complex and deep-seated.
That is why policy work relies on contributions from a wide range of colleagues in many different types of roles, working together as one team to achieve better outcomes and innovative solutions. It also depends on working collaboratively with other parts of government, and with the private and voluntary sectors. In its chapter on improving policy making capability, the Civil Service Reform report stated “Open policy making will become the default. Whitehall does not have monopoly on policy making expertise”.
Chris Wormald Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education, is the Head of the Policy Profession. The profession’s priorities are that:
- everyone involved in policy making recognises that what counts, ultimately, is change in the real world
- we make better, more efficient, innovative and joined-up policy
- we make and deliver this policy in better ways.
In doing this, we develop the skills of all those working on policy. The profession is keen to develop a community of informed and engaged policy makers.