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SKILLS FOR WORKING WITH MINISTERS AND PARLIAMENT

MINISTERIAL WORK: HOW TO WORK WITH MINISTERS

Working with Ministers

For anyone who writes briefs, letters or replies to PQs for Ministers. This programme provides an opportunity to pick up or brush up your understanding of what Ministers want and how to provide it.

Programme Director Christopher Jary

Code Length Price

MIN 1 day £395

Venue Dates

London 2 Jun 10, 15 Sep 10, 15 Feb 11

For further information Lisa Lay 01344 634 586, gtn 3803 4586 lisa.lay@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/min

Private Office: Foundation Workshop

This workshop is the essential starting point for all staff new to any area of Private Office and should be attended ideally within one to three months of taking up post. Highly practical and using role-play you’ll deal with a variety of real life issues faced by a Minister and their Private Office.

Programme Director Jonathan Marshall

Code Length Price

PO1 1 day £395

Venue Dates

London 23 Apr 10, 28 May 10, 25 Jun 10, 23 Jul 10, 10 Sep 10, 22 Oct 10, 14 Jan 11, 18 Mar 11

For further information Lauren Staines 01344 634 276, gtn 3803 4276 lauren.staines@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/po1

Private Office: Policy Workshop

For new private secretaries and assistant private secretaries, this is best attended within two to three months of taking up post. You’ll take a close look at how policy is developed and the role of the Minister and Private Office in that process. You’ll gain an understanding of the policy cycle; good practice in drafting and handling submissions; knowledge of Cabinet and Cabinet Committee process; and a greater understanding of Ministers’ accountability to Parliament.

Programme Director Jonathan Marshall

Code Length Price

PO2 1 day £395

Venue Dates

London 11 Jun 10, 17 Sep 10, 25 Mar 11

For further information Lauren Staines 01344 634 276, gtn 3803 4276 lauren.staines@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/po2

Private Office: Masterclass

A series of Masterclasses offering a highly affordable way for people working in Private Office to get up to speed on supporting Ministers. Each Masterclass will focus on a different key area and will be advertised to Private Offices through Private Secretaries.

Programme Director Jonathan Marshall

Code Length Price

POM 1 day £150

Venue Dates

London 16 Apr 10, 18 Jun 10, 24 Sep 10, 29 Oct 10, 19 Nov 10, 4 Mar 11

For further information Lauren Staines 01344 634 276, gtn 3803 4276 lauren.staines@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/pom

Communicating with Ministers and Managers for Economists

This very practical course is designed to help economists to communicate technical, complex, detailed, abstract information simply, precisely and briefly to non-economists (whether Ministers, other officials or the public). It covers oral and written communication and teaches how to write quickly and effectively for readers who are not economists and have precious little time in which to grasp often very complex ideas.

This programme provides a combination of theory and practice during which you will learn to: understand and adjust for the needs of different readers; write more quickly, producing fewer but more effective words; clarify your objectives, plan, summarise and highlight key messages; improve the precision and accuracy of your language and construct a coherent argument, writing more memorably and persuasively.

The best economists in the world are of no use in government unless they can explain in short, simple, clear language often complex economic concepts to Ministers, senior officials and the public. This course teaches you to do just that.

Programme Director Christopher Jary

Code Length Price

HMTC 21⁄2 days £995

Venue Dates

London 19-21 Apr 10, 21-23 Jun 10, 4-6 Oct 10, 5-7 Jan 11

For further information Christine Penycate 01344 634 797, gtn 3803 4797 christine.penycate@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/hmtc

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS: PQS AND SELECT COMMITTEES

PQs

For anyone involved in preparing responses to Westminster PQs. This programme will help you understand the purpose and nature of PQs and develop your ability to draft replies. It also includes a discussion with an MP. Themes covered include procedures and timescales and the functions, interests and needs of those involved with PQs, particularly MPs and Ministers.

Programmes about questions in the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland and Welsh Assemblies can be organised on request.

Programme Director Paul Grant

Code Length Price

PAQS 1 day £450

Venue Dates

London 24 May 10, 3 Nov 10, 14 Feb 11

For further information Christine Penycate 01344 634 797, gtn 3803 4797 christine.penycate@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/paqs

Appearing Before Select Committees

Practice sessions

For staff in both the public and private sectors who may be called before, or have to prepare a briefing for, a Select Committee. This programme, which is available on request, will prepare you for giving evidence effectively and cogently, especially under adversarial questioning. You can use your own case material in role-plays, and CCTV and feedback from experienced tutors will be used to help you improve your performance.

Programme Director Jane Foulsham

For further information Jane Milton 01344 634 267, gtn 3803 4267 jane.milton@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/12sc

Appearing Before the Public Accounts Committee

Practice sessions

For Accounting/Accountable officers and others who are to be witnesses at the Public Accounts Committee. This programme is individually tailored to advise and prepare you for giving evidence effectively, especially under adversarial questioning. You use your own case material in role-plays, with CCTV and feedback from experienced tutors, including former Accounting Officers.

Programme Director Jane Foulsham

For further information Jane Milton 01344 634 267, gtn 3803 4267 jane.milton@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk nationalschool.gov.uk/12pa