My weekly posts
The Local Government Transformation Song
We started with a vision that was bold but undefined,/We held a consultation where no one seemed inclined,/To challenge our assumptions or critique our sacred cows,/So we ticked the box for “engagement” and moved on anyhow. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-local-government-transformation-song-activity-7355520391668211713-oga3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Join my free three-day challenge on the five core leadership practices to experience a different way
Most leadership frameworks feel hollow—scaffolding without stone. I’m offering a free three-day challenge to explore five core, everyday leadership practices that truly shift public service. No jargon, no tools—just honest, systems-informed disciplines that create real change. Join a community of changemakers, try out one practice each day, and walk away with something that already works in your context. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_leadership-learning-culture-activity-7355838912289775616-rt-I?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Courses and events
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship: webinar on 28 August, 12:30
Join our free webinar to discover how the new apprenticeship Leading and Commissioning for Outcomes in Complexity – Convening Systems Change can supercharge your career and transform your organisation. Fully funded Level 7 programme this year only! Real-world impact through applied systems thinking. For commissioners, system leaders, and systems change-makers. Free webinar 20 August, 12:30–1:30pm Sign up here: https://link.redquadrant.com/apprenticeshipinfo
The 5 Core Practices Challenge:
August 18, 19, 20 2025, 5pm-6pm BST. What if 5 simple practices could shift your organization from stuck to strategic – without adding more complexity? Adapt Faster. Lead Better. Deliver More. Join the five core practices challenge now. https://5pchallenge.openeyescollaborative.com/5-core-practices-challenge
Financial Times expert survey on management consultancies – vote now!
If you’re a consultant then you can vote in the peer survey to find Britain’s leading consultancy. RedQuadrant has done well for the past eight years. Usually, we’ve been listed in the public and social sector, organisation and change, people and performance, or in strategy. https://engage.statista-research.com/index.php?r=survey/index&sid=358489&lang=en.
Commissioning Compass: systems assessment for change
Our newly launched tool, the Commissioning Compass, helps you to assess your commissioning system and form an action plan for improvement. It’s available for free via our Teachable site – try it now! link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass
This September – Outcomes-based commissioning: a ten-step introduction
We’ve announced new dates for our introduction to commissioning course at the PSTA, perfect for early career commissioners in police, justice, health, care, children’s services, or other commissioning disciplines. Register your interest now. https://link.redquadrant.com/10step0925
Next National Commissioning Academy
We’re building our cohort for the next national commissioning academy – our flagship commissioning programme from the PSTA. Register your interest now: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
SysPrac25 – The Systems Thinking Practitioner Conference.
3-4 September, Milton Keynes. SCiO, The Open University, and the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR) are excited to invite you to SysPrac25 — the essential conference for systems thinking practitioners, learners, and leaders. Join us on 3rd and 4th September 2025 at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes for two dynamic days of insight, interaction, and innovation. Book your place now: www.sysprac25.org
Things I shared on socials:
Co-production: A manifesto for growing the core economy. New Economics Foundation.
NEF’s manifesto shows how public services can play a part in making co-production happen. NEF’s manifesto charts the development of co-production, its growth in the UK, and sets out a ten point plan for what will be, in effect, the biggest revolution in social policy since William Beveridge introduced the welfare state. https://neweconomics.org/2008/07/co-production
Social Value Toolkit: Unlocking Transformative Social Value. Cooperative Councils’ innovation network.
Despite the hype, Social Value isn’t working. It’s become a procedural hurdle rather than the transformative tool originally promised. And this is a significant problem for Cooperative Councils that want to utilise their spending power to transform local economies, generate agency and control in communities, and stimulate new markets and services that support local missions. https://www.councils.coop/resources/toolkits/socialvalue/
Data to decisions: Using staff experience feedback effectively. 13 August 2025, 12:00pm to 1:00pm, Online
Learn from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s local staff experience programme with a focus on their data collection, analysis and reporting. https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events/data-to-decisions-using-staff-experience-feedback-effectively
Doing With: reinventing public services in a time of crisis. Adam Lent for the The King’s Fund.
The public sector still operates as though we live in the era of post-war stability when, in fact, services now face a permanent high demand/low resource reality created by multiple, overlapping crises. If the UK’s public sector is to avoid irreversible decline, we need a radical shift from a ‘do to’ to a ‘do with’ mindset, led by a grassroots movement for change. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/doing-with-reinventing-public-services-time-crisis?utm_source=The%20King%27s%20Fund%20newsletters%20%28main%20account%29&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=15097901_MKPUB_DoWithLongRead_210725&utm_content=Button_DoWith&dm_i=21A8,8ZLM5,ASLRQ6,11J2CR,1
Purposeful collaboration Commissioning from the VCFSE sector, a practical guide to using the Procurement Act 2023. LGA, NCVO, Lloyds Bank Foundation.
The purpose of this guide is to build greater collaboration between councils and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector using the full flexibilities of the Procurement Act 2023 and the wider commissioning process. Increasingly complex social and environmental challenges require this collaboration. No single organisation or resource can tackle these challenges alone. https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Purposeful%20collaboration%20report.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Human Learning Systems: Commissioning Toolkit. Collaborate CIC and Human Learning Systems.
This toolkit aims to answer the questions: ‘where do we start?’, ‘who needs to be involved?’ and ‘what will it take to make the changes we want to see?’ by offering practical guidance for applying Human Learning Systems at every stage of the commissioning cycle and highlighting examples from places who are embedding HLS as part of their commissioning practice and looking to do things differently https://collaboratecic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/HLS-Commissioning-Resource-10-4.pdf
Exploring the Potential of Community-Centred Public Services. Cormac Russell for New Local.
This thinkpiece by the leading social explorer Cormac Russell focuses on how to realign the relationship between institutions and communities. He sets out how better understanding and working alongside the assets and capabilities that are innate in communities, we can build a more sustainable relationship between citizen and state. https://www.newlocal.org.uk/publications/community-centred-public-services-cormac-russell-stronger-things-2025/
chosen path 