Quality Assurance Framework
This framework shows Government Communication Service (GCS) leaders on a single page how standards of government communication will be assessed.
Check your team’s structure and performance
Check your team’s structure and performance against the areas listed under Governance, Campaigns, Practices and People.
In particular, ensure that:
- you are compliant with, and can provide assurance on, governance and spending control requirements
- your strategic aims align with the Government Communications Plan
- all your staff are compliant with the GCS and Civil Service Code of Conduct and Ethics
- communications follow the GCS framework for planning, evaluation and insight
- teams are structured in accordance with Modern Communications Operating Model (MCOM) principles
- team activity follows MCOM best practice, as set out in GCS operating models
- recruitment, development of your people and talent development uses the tools specified in the Leadership and People section of the Quality Assurance Framework
- the GCS Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan is embedded in all your team’s work, including the delivery of accessible communications
Steps to take
Share the framework with your team:
- follow the Government Functional Standard for Communication
- there will be Executive Director of Government Communication (EDGC) departmental visits – six-monthly. Professional Standards Dashboard ratings awarded annually.
- there will be capability reviews – departmental (every 3 years) and cross-discipline reviews (rolling basis)
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Action Plan embedded throughout our practices, culture and ways of working.
Governance
This is section 4 of the Government Functional Standard for Communication.
- Governance: departmental communications plan which supports strategic aims of your organisation and compliant with department’s governance framework
- HM Government Communications Plan: team strategic objectives support overall Plan
- Spending/ Professional Assurance (PASS)/GCS Flow: all spending complies with GCS processes
- Codes of Conduct and Ethics: all staff are aware and compliant
Campaigns
This is section 5 of the Government Functional Standard for Communication.
- Guide to Campaign Planning (OASIS): all communications plans follow these principles and structure
- Evaluation Framework: insight and evaluation for all, communications activity follows the frameworks
- Insight: draw on a range of sources to create a full picture of the audience
- Ownership and decision-making: complies with Functional Standard
Practices
This is section 6 of the Government Functional Standard for Communication.
- Modern communications operating model (MCOM 2.0): team has capability to deliver disciplines as described in MCOM 2.0
- Work of the disciplines carried out according to best practice principles set out in the various MCOM operating models/guides
- Overarching GCS guidance: communications activity follows wider GCS principles, for example, brand, writing style and RESIST Counter Disinformation Toolkit
People
- Recruitment and selection: recruit using GCS competencies (Insight, Ideas, Implementation, Impact) and Success Profiles and evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
- GCS Leadership model: use this to develop teams, build senior stakeholder relationships and ensure quality customer service
- Talent and career development: support GCS early and senior talent schemes, ensure all staff have a personal development plan (PDPs) and use Careers Framework
- Integrated professional development: All staff complete a minimum 4 pieces of CPD (30 points) per year
Contact
If you have any questions, contact Jo Pennington, Head of Standards, Performance and Innovation: gcs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.