Mobility%20in%20the%20UK%20Government%20Statistical%20Service

1
Mobility in the UK Government Statistical Service

• Anne Foulger

2
Introduction

• Statisticians work in ONS and other government
  departments
• Various locations around the UK
• Posts are advertised on Statnet and Civil Service
  website.
• Up to individuals to be pro-active

3
Some benefits of mobility
Different experiences
Understanding the wider context
Network of contacts
Flexibility
Evidence for promotion
Data sources, statistical techniques
4
Example 1 - Different experiences

• Department for Education, London
• Policy analysis, briefing ministers, working with
  schools, local government, policy development
• Office for National Statistics, Newport
• Managing a large-scale social survey, media
  training, working with Eurostat, statistical
  policy

Different experiences
Understanding the wider context
5
Example 2 Understanding data

• Monitoring teenage pregnancy strategy
• Using data from Department of Health and ONS
• Policies relating to young people Department for
  Education
• Useful to know people in other departments
• Knowledge of different data sources

Network of contacts
Data sources, statistical techniques
6
Example 3 - Change management

• Seeing how different organisations are structured
  and how they manage change
• Methods of communication with staff (verbal,
  written, visual)
• Different leadership styles

Evidence for promotion
Flexibility
7
Any negatives?

• Steep learning curve if you are new to a
  department (new IT systems, different
  terminology)
• If you move too quickly, no time to build up
  in-depth knowledge
• Jobholders and managers may have different
  expectations

8
Developing a culture of mobility

• Providing advice and support (eg Statisticians in
  Government team, Head of Profession)
• Networking events, seminars
• Secondments outside the Civil Service
• Setting clear expectations
• Sharing experiences

9
Points for discussion

• Do other delegates have similar positive (or
  negative) experiences of mobility?
• How do you balance the benefits to the individual
  vs benefits to the organisation?