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.
Robert Devereux, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, is the Head of the Policy Profession. Robert’s priorities for the profession 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.
Robert Devereux is keen to develop a community of informed and engaged policy makers. This was an idea that has come out of the series of policy events (see core learning for policy makers, right) that Robert has been sponsoring. A web-based forum is likely to be established at some point in the future but in the meanwhile Robert sends monthly updates on new or important policy developments or issues to those with an interest. Copies of his emails are placed on the monthly updates page of this site.