Why NSW needs a new public advocate to protect vulnerable adults from their families
New South Wales needs a new public advocate for vulnerable adults in place by next July, ombudsman Michael Barnes has warned, after compiling over 200… Read More
NSW Department of Family and Community Services
What does it take for government to get customer service right?
Measuring service outcomes, improving frontline delivery and mastering and designing truly digital and multi-channel customer strategies are now all firmly in the mix for agencies seeking to lift their game. Now, a new public sector summit puts these approaches to the test. Read More
NSW nudge teams set their sights on more complex public policy challenges
Behavioural science teams in the New South Wales government are beginning to apply their approach to bigger, more complex public policy challenges. So far, nudge squads have mostly looked to influence citizen behaviour in simple, transactional situations. Read More
Rhetoric into action: digital pioneering ChildStory starts rollout
The NSW ChildStory project has caught attention for the way it applies the latest thinking on best use of digital transformation for government. Its directors tell The Mandarin how it will deliver through the next phase. Read More
Can shared value help solve our wicked problems?
FEATURE: Government can gain huge advantage from working with the shared value movement. Co-design can benefit everyone, but first the public service must confront its distrust of dealing with others. Read More
NSW appoints state’s first female auditor-general
A deputy secretary with the NSW Department of Family and Community Services has been chosen by Premier Mike Baird as the state's new auditor-general — the first female in the role. Read More
Competitive tendering hurts service collaboration, but what’s the fix?
Competitive tendering in human services has a host of problems, a parliamentary committee has found, but a six-month inquiry couldn't find an alternative so it's back to the drawing board. Read More
ChildStory: case study in innovation, technology and user design
NSW Family and Community Services has selected the winners for its $100 million platform to overhaul child safety in the state. Read More
How the NDIS is faring for not-for-profit service providers
Not-for-profit Achieve Australia says the National Disability Insurance Scheme will have a long-lasting impact on the organisation and its clients. Anne Bryce is bringing the service provider's perspective on NDIS to IPAA 2015. Read More
IPAA NSW forges corporate partnerships with agencies
The NSW branch of the Institute for Public Administration Australia is strengthening ties with the state's public service through formal corporate partnerships with agencies. The Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Justice have both already signed on as "Platinum Corporate Partners" with IPAA NSW, and more are expected to be announced shortly. Read More
Inside ChildStory: NSW dept aims high with crucial IT project
NSW public servants are running the $100m ChildStory IT project according to the new digital tenets of agile, iterative development and co-design. Its co-directors spoke with The Mandarin. Read More
Don’t wait to be hacked: choose a better password
Seven Australian officials caught up in the ISIS personal identity hack had passwords no government IT system should permit. Read More
The great digital opportunity: a new model for government
Digital creativity is changing service delivery, driven by customer-focused, innovation-driven entrepreneurial businesses. As governments embrace digital, how can the public sector capture and use this same vibrant spirit to fuel change? Read More
Cloud software frees caseworkers to go mobile
Community service caseworkers in NSW at should find working remotely much easier in future and they’ll always get the latest version of their email software, now that it's up in the cloud. Read More
Welcome to The Mandarin — the venue for public sector leaders
Welcome to The Mandarin, Australia's venue for public sector leaders. Our publisher explains what it's all about ... Read More