GCS Professional Standards

To build a world-class public communications profession, GCS staff commit to observing the highest standard of communications practice, professional development and ethics.

The purpose of the GCS is to deliver world-class public service communications that support ministers’ priorities, enable the efficient and effective operation of public services, and improve people’s lives. It is held to account for the implementation of the annual Government Communications Plan.

Government Communications Functional Standard GovS0.11

Government Communications Functional Standard GovS0.11, underpinned by extensive GCS guidance and resources, sets the expectations for the management and practice of government communications.

Read Government Communications Functional Standard GovS011 1.0 (pdf 595 KB)

The purpose of Government Communications Functional Standard GovS0.11, is to set expectations for the management and practice of government communications in order to deliver responsive and informative public service communications that support the effective delivery of HM Government policy and priorities, and assist with the effective operation of public services.

The standard provides direction and guidance for:

permanent secretaries, directors general (and chief executive officers (CEO) of arm’s length bodies)
senior leadership and board members within organisations
those commissioning communications
communications leads within organisations
those involved in developing, managing and delivering communications
third parties engaged in government communications, including in partnership marketing.

Previous publications

Under the GCS Improvement Programme GCS previously published GCS Professional Standards. (pdf 163 KB)