How high-pressure health and human services workplaces turn toxic by Stephen Easton | 0 comments Bullying and harassment can get out of control in any workplace but it seems particularly common in health and human services where physically, mentally and emotionally draining work combines with limited resources. A report from South Australia shows how it happens.
How can public sector executives get back their ‘ICT mojo’? by David Donaldson | 0 comments It's rational that executives avoid big IT projects given their propensity to go wrong, says a government CIO. The solution is to focus on incremental accomplishments — but this requires a new way of doing things.
Waiting for TRIM and training, concerns as child protection files get lost in transit by David Donaldson | 2 comments It's been a bumpy ride for Victorian departments as they upgrade and strengthen records management. A new report warns of risk of fraud and child endangerment, but there have been achievements too.
Share success stories to avoid preventable harm, says Health secretary by David Donaldson | 0 comments A cluster of potentially avoidable newborn and stillborn deaths has sparked a suite of changes to the Health system in Victoria. Health and Human Services boss Kym Peake says the department must become more transparent.
Sharing control: four strategic priorities for the public value pivot by David Donaldson | 0 comments Victoria's DHHS will become known for successful examples of at-scale joined up working and focusing on prevention, hopes its secretary. First it must build consensus with the communities it serves.
Kym Peake: leading reform in the health and human services sector by Kym Peake | 0 comments SPEECH: What will it take for government to meet the needs of a much higher population? A consensus on outcomes, partnerships across sectors, and co-design with clients. Bureaucrats will need to give up control.
Vishaal Kishore: in praise of the ‘deep’ government generalist by David Donaldson | 1 comment INTERVIEW: Generalists will play a vital role in reimagining government as the world changes ever more quickly, argues the head strategist at LaunchVic. Flatter hierarchies and shared values encourage creative approaches.
Why don’t governments use shared services more? by David Donaldson | 1 comment Legacy systems and specific needs hold back the standardisation and centralisation of government corporate services — but departments should be looking at using more shared services in the future, thinks Adam Fennessy.
Victoria promises Australia-first Family Violence Agency by David Donaldson | 0 comments Victoria will create an independent family violence agency, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Silos have obstructed responses in the past, advocates tell The Mandarin.
Should public servants count their efforts in six-minute blocks? by David Donaldson | 0 comments Would keeping time sheets strengthen the often woolly numbers on how much individual programs cost? Victoria's Treasury head argues it would be counterproductive. Plus, why Chris Eccles thinks MoG shakeups are good for your career.
Kym Peake — ‘connector, not ring-fencer’ — on coming home by David Donaldson | 0 comments INTERVIEW: Kym Peake's appointment as head of the Department of Health and Human Services doubled the number of female secretaries in Victoria. Be a connector, not a ring-fencer, she advises.
