PSIF

What is PSIF?

The Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) is a self-assessment tool, which encourages organisations to conduct a systematic and comprehensive review of their own activities and results. It is based on the EFQM Excellence Model and incorporates the use of the Investors in People Standard, Customer Service Excellence (formerly known as Charter Mark) and Best Value principles. In essence, PSIF is a streamlined approach to organisational improvement for the public sector.

PSIF provides managers with regular in-depth reports on the performance of their departments, helps them drive continuous improvement, and reduces the time spent by external auditors collecting evidence against quality standards.

Does it work?

The Public Service Improvement Framework has been developed in partnership with West Lothian Council, Quality Scotland and Investors in People Scotland. With the support of the Improvement Service, these partners will now help implement PSIF across other public services in Scotland. West Lothian Council had been using the Excellence Model and the Standard for a number of years and saw an opportunit y to streamline business improvement initiatives. They developed the PSIF, which has been successfully implemented across their 49 services. The deployment of this framework has contributed to many of the organisation's improvements and successes, including having won LGC Council of the Year 2006, The Scottish Awards for Business Excellence 2005-06, achieved an excellent Best Value audit in 2005, attainment of Charter Mark for many services and the continued retention of the Investors in People Standard.

How can we get involved?

Currently, the PSIF partners are working with four organisations to undertake the first phase of the PSIF programme. As the Public Service Improvement Framework is a complex yet powerful tool, your organisation may require a degree of maturity in fields such as the Excellence Model or Investors in People before it can successfully implement PSIF. However, we will be able to guide you on your PSIF journey.

If you would like to discuss PSIF, please contact our Director of Client Services.