Case Study: Training and Development - Department for Communities and Local Government

Communities and Local Government has a commitment to achieve at least 40% (currently 37%) of women in the Senior Civil Service, with 30% (currently 27%) in the highest levels of senior management by 2008.

In support of this commitment:

• Key workforce equality objectives will be championed by individual Board members
• The fast stream strategy will be reviewed to increase representation by under-represented groups. Other key development opportunities will be taken forward including coaching and mentoring schemes
• Staff with potential for progression to SCS level will be identified and supported through active succession planning

Targets for women in the Senior Civil Service have been reached: the current percentage of women is 40%, with 35% at the highest levels (April 2007). The Department has, therefore, updated their original targets to make them more stretching (target is now 43% of women in the SCS).

Board members have taken on championing of strands of the Equality and Diversity strategy and targets have been set for feeder grades.

Coaching workshops have been rolled out to all line managers.

Other work on developing mentoring schemes and succession planning is currently under development.