Government Communication Functional Standard
Government Communication Functional Standard GovS 011 sets the 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
- assist with the effective operation of public services
Standard update, September 2023
Version 2.1 of this standard replaces the previous edition [version 2 dated June 2021] and has the same purpose, scope and intent.
The main changes relate to:
- Minor wording changes to ensure consistency across the suite of functional standards
- Updated references to GCS governance structure
- Reordering to better reflect the structure of the Modern Communications Operating Model v3.0, and adding two new communications disciplines, Data & Insight and Digital
- Updated references to the GCS canon of professional guidance
- Clarification around requirements on conduct, propriety and ethics.
Details
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
Contents
- About this government functional standard
- Principles
- Context
- Governance
- Campaign life cycle
- Communication practices
- References
- Glossary
- Framework for gaining audience insight