Why is this National Outcome important?
The people of Scotland attach the highest value to their public services. The quality of those services is part of the bedrock on which our society and future prosperity depends, and is crucial in shaping a flourishing, productive and equitable Scotland.
Better and more efficient public services enhance our quality of life, support sustainable economic growth and assure those who fund and rely on public services that they are responsive, provide value for money and are continually improving.
What will influence this National Outcome?
The achievement of this outcome will be determined by the ability of public services to act decisively and prioritise resources to maximise their positive impact: nurturing economic recovery; protecting employment and frontline services; and investing in Scotland's future prosperity. Public services must also prioritise the issues that matter most to people, ensuring the focus of public spending and action builds on the assets and potential of the individual, the family and the community.
The Government will lead Scotland's public services into new ways of working and thinking, new understandings of people's needs and innovative ways to meet those needs.
Partnership with the whole of Scottish society will underpin the Government's efforts to improve public services. A partnership with local government, Single Outcome Agreements in each locality and Community Planning Partnerships offer the potential to carry the Government's bold agenda into every neighbourhood and release the energy and creativity of Scotland's people.
What is the Government's role?
The Government will build on its successful track record of competence and achievement in public services with an expanded programme of reform to equip Scotland's public services to meet the challenges ahead.
In response to the Christie Commission's recommendations, the Government's public service reform agenda will be built on four pillars: (i) a decisive shift towards prevention; (ii) a greater focus on 'place' to drive better partnership, collaboration and local delivery; (iii) investing in people who deliver services through enhanced workforce development and effective leadership; and (iv) a more transparent public service culture which improves standards of performance.
Being in constant dialogue with Scotland's people - listening, engaging and responding to their needs and aspirations - is the Government's way of working. Everyone is entitled to have the opportunity to shape our nation's shared future and this principle should be reflected in the way we design our services. Transformational change can be successful only with a broad base of popular consent so the Government's approach will continue to be open, inclusive and responsive.
Government will empower local communities and local service providers to work together to develop practical solutions that make best use of all the resources available. Public services will seek to involve people everywhere in the redesign and reshaping of their activities, and will develop workforce capabilities to deliver that aim.
Tackling waste, duplication and inefficiency is a top priority for all those in public service and Government will encourage the swifter adoption of proven strategies for improvement and the rapid roll-out of reforms.
In addition, the Government's programme of procurement reform provides a structured approach to collaboration across the wider public sector. Through this Scottish Procurement leads collaborative procurement of common goods and services on behalf of the wider Scottish public sector and drives the sustainable procurement plan.
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Smarter
Healthier
Safer and Stronger
Greener
Related National Indicators
Increase the proportion of pre-school centres receiving positive inspection reports
Increase the proportion of schools receiving positive inspection reports
Improve levels of educational attainment
Increase the proportion of young people in learning, training or work
Increase the proportion of graduates in positive destinations
Improve Children's Services
Improve end of life care
Improve support for people with care needs
Reduce emergency admissions to hospital
Improve the quality of healthcare experience
Reduce reconviction rates
Improve people's perceptions of the quality of public services
Improve the responsiveness of public services
Improve access to suitable housing options for those in housing need