Policy delivery is one of the most important areas of expertise for civil servants. To make effective contributions to policies that work in practice and deliver real, beneficial outcomes on the ground we need to acquire and develop a range of knowledge and skills. The National School of Government is part of central government and works at its heart. Within it, the Policy Making and Government Team has people with practical experience and skills who have access to the key players, analysts and influencers in Westminster, Whitehall, and the devolved administrations; academia, the media and elsewhere. As a result, we are uniquely positioned to help you to develop your capabilities in policy-making and government and in turn improve individual and organisational performance.

Policy Making and Government learning and development

We offer a number of ways of helping you to learn and develop including: open programmes; tailored training; consultancy services; action learning, qualification programmes, e-learning and publications.

These span:

• Parliament, Government and the Civil Service
• The wider public sector
• The EU
• Skills for working with the key players and institutions
• Tools and techniques for strategic thinking and policy development
• Analysis and use of evidence
• Assessing the impacts of policy proposals
• Engagement and communication skills
• Working with delivery partners

As an organisation that is part of central government, our work in the arena of Policy Making and Government is born of the unique insights and advantages this brings. Our products and services can help participants:

• Understand the government context: Parliament (including the workings and impact of the devolved administrations), government and the Civil Service
• Master the techniques of devising and delivering policy or strategy
• Acquire practical skills in drafting, briefing submissions, replies to Parliamentary Questions, ministerial correspondence and speeches
• Understand how the institutions of the EU work and to develop EU competence

Our teaching staff and methods

Every programme listed in this brochure has been developed by teaching staff with many years' experience in their subject. Each programme also reflects the current, practical reality of working in government, and encompasses the requirements of PSG (Professional Skills for Government).

Our teaching methods include practical simulated exercises, e-learning, teaching and discussion sessions. Discussion often involves external experts including ministers, Members of Parliament, serving officials (senior and junior) and some of the country's leading academic observers of the environment and machinery of government.

Our flexibility

Most of the programmes described here can either be provided at the National School's own premises (Sunningdale Park and London Victoria) or brought to your organisation, tailored to your needs and run on your premises. Our teaching staff are always happy to discuss any other needs your organisation may have and to advise on how they can best be met. Their recommendation will always be dictated by what they think is best for your organisation.