My weekly posts
Jane Eckford has a lot of lessons for anyone who cares about #publicservicetransformation
What struck me most is that Jane’s story is really about purpose and relationships, not programmes or technology. Her work shows that listening to frontline staff and citizens reveals systemic issues, and that real public service is relational—trust depends on getting this right. Change often begins informally, driven by insight and persistence. Digital should enable, not dominate. Above all, clarity of purpose, understanding organisational incentives, and holding onto our shared humanity are what make lasting improvement possible. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_publicservicetransformation-activity-7442118657654149120-HXwA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Collection of posts on ‘relational public services’
I’ve brought together recent posts, including my paper on “degrees of relationality in public services.” Across these, I argue relationality is not a tone but an operating system: shifting from demand to need and purpose, and from service to system and place. Making it work requires changes to authority, measures, conditions and mindset. I explore what relational means, how to practise it, why it struggles, and how we might pursue more pragmatic, system-aware change. Collection of posts on ‘relational public services’ – chosen path
Courses and events
Contract Management course – this March
Designed for public services professionals, this programme refreshes core skills, challenges thinking, strengthens decision-making, manages political realities, and improves value-for-money through evidence-based, outcome-focused contract management. The programme runs from Wednesday 25 March 2026 to Wednesday 13 May 2026, with six core sessions. contact Sarah Johnston on 07701 049836 or email sarah.johnston@publicservicetransformation.org. link.redquadrant.com/ContractManagement26
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:
Is the legacy of Kurt Lewin misattribution and myth? by ChatGPT ‘Deep Research’
[As a result of two rather messy Syscoi pieces on Kurt Lewin, here:The myth of Kurt Lewin and the rhetoric of collective memory in social psychology textbooks – Billing (2015) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_is-the-legacy-of-kurt-lewin-misattribution-share-7443263142450614272-n-vg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
What is Participatory Sensemaking and Why Should We Care?
What is Participatory Sensemaking and Why Should We Care? – Todd, de Jaegher and Di Paolo (2025) (Substack) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_httpschatgptcommodelgpt-4o-activity-7443204416117202945-v68b?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Cars don’t belong in cities, says Top Gear’s James May
Driving cars in London is a totally pointless activity and I hate it, says Top Gear presenter James May https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_cars-dont-belong-in-cities-says-top-gears-activity-7443056280715460608-5t9w?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Half a billion dollarsTax revenue could drop by 10 percent amid turmoil at IRS
Staff cuts and disruptions related to the U.S. DODGE services have officials bracing for a sharp loss of revenue. (2025) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_tax-revenue-could-drop-by-10-percent-amid-activity-7443054476929810433-33P1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
chosen path 