My weekly posts
Public services don’t fail primarily because of money, digital, or process but because they are numb to themselves
Public services fail less from money or process than from epistemic blindness: they cannot sense or learn at the boundary where citizens meet organisations. Systems practice, the author argues, is a humanism – a stance of responsibility. Practice precedes models; values are revealed in behaviour. It demands conscious boundary-drawing, recursive learning across citizen and service, and recognition that systems are made by us. The challenge: what image of the citizen are we creating, and would we live within it? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_public-services-dont-fail-primarily-because-activity-7429442843301175296-arYW
Courses and events
Outcome-based commissioning: a ten-step introduction – Cohort 10, this February
Back by popular demand! Our introductory course for commissioners will run again this February, with the first session on 25 February. This online and interactive learning programme will enable you to grasp the core principles and practices of effective commissioning. You’ll be better placed to help develop public services that make a really positive and lasting difference to local people’s lives. You’ll also be able to act quickly with confidence using a commissioning mindset and call on your network of fellow participants for support and challenge. https://link.redquadrant.com/10StepFeb26
Child House to be rolled out nationally – well done to the RedQuadrant consultants who were involved
This is wonderful news! I remain very proud of the small but hopefully valuable role RedQuadrant played in supporting this fantastic example ofsystems change or systems convening in moving public services closer to how they ought to be! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_child-victims-should-never-be-forced-to-repeat-activity-7407439019019485184-Q_Hx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADUV_eUBZSxZvFpx70OV050F6K5HM2MhTMo
Introducing the RedQuadrant Local Government Reorganisation hub
Local Government Reorganisation is coming fast. By April 2028, every new authority must be safe, legal, and fully operational. That means statutory officers secured, ICT cutovers rehearsed, services live, and residents experiencing seamless continuity. The RedQuadrant LGR Hub is the only model that guarantees readiness while embedding lasting capability. With a single accountable structure, governance at its core, and capability pillars across adults, children’s, SEND, ICT, finance, housing, and place, the Hub ensures no gaps, no surprises. Three outcomes, every time: Safe and legal on day one; Visible assurance and confidence in delivery; Future-ready capacity with transformation built in. Find out more now: https://www.redquadrant.com/lgrhub
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
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
What I’ve been reading:
Congratulations to Andrew Humphreys. who has stepped into a new role as SAVVI Delivery Manager.
The SAVVI project, (short for Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability) is about helping public services identify, assess, and support people at risk of poor outcomes, whether that’s homelessness, child poverty, or even being unable to evacuate during a flood. By developing open data standards, practical guidance, and innovative tools, SAVVI enables a truly coordinated, multi-agency response. You can read more on Andrew’s role, and on the project, here: https://coda.io/@savvi/welcome/exciting-news-from-the-savvi-team-313
Things I shared on socials:
The Patron Saint of Complexity (Wittgenstein)
The Patron Saint of Complexity (Wittgenstein) – Harish Jose https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-patron-saint-of-complexity-wittgenstein-activity-7430579569096749056-Ce1t?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Community: The Structure of Belonging
Peter Block – The Third Edition of Community: The Structure of Belonging comes out on March 24. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-block-238848a_the-third-edition-of-community-the-structure-ugcPost-7429557704865648641-FhTr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
‘If 1.5m Germans have them there must be something in it’: how balcony solar is taking off
Balcony solar panels can save 30% on a typical household’s electricity bill and, with vertical surface area in cities larger than roof space, the appeal is clear. – Stephen Burgen, Barcelona https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_if-15m-germans-have-them-there-must-be-activity-7430520929975185408-rj6p?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
My first manager taught me the meaning of good supervision’
2024 – A service manager reminisces about the supervisor who challenged her cynicism about social work and whose approach to supervision she has sought to replicate. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_my-first-manager-taught-me-the-meaning-of-activity-7430371017002332162-Tbcd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
chosen path 