Level 2 and 3 Diploma in Business Support (4475-12/13)

Unit 207 Principles of working in the public sector
Guidance notes
Outcome 1 Know the features of the public sector
1. Types of organisation eg government departments, non-ministerial departments, Executive
Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) (executive and advisory), Local Authorities
(all types).
2. Differences in terms of purpose, size, budget, service provided, customers eg clients, service users
3. Aims in relation to your chosen organisation. Objectives of the public sector eg provide efficient
and effective public services, carry out policy and comply with legislation.
4. Working together In terms of how central government determines the overall policy and local
organisations work within that policy eg health policy is determined by central government and
interpreted and implemented by the National Health Service . This may also include how some
central government departments have local offices through an executive agency eg
Department of Work and Pensions and Job Centre Plus.
5. Major differences in terms of purpose (eg profit making, provide public services), sources of
finance, utilisation of surpluses, charitable status, legal status. (nb Not-for-profit sector is also
frequently referred to as the Community and Voluntary Sector, or as the Third Sector). Not all
not-for-profit organisations operate within the Third Sector.
6. Key legislation that defines the chosen type of organisation; the powers of the organisation and
its key services; eg Local Government Act 2000, Sustainable Communities Act 2007, Education
and Skills Act 2006, Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Acts 2005, and the values by
which it must operate eg The Equality Act 2010, Health And Safety at Work Act 1974, The
Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Outcome 2 Understand how the public sector is structured
1. Describe the organisational structure In terms of executive and non-executive functions and
major reporting lines.
2. Fits In terms of its main reporting lines eg to government departments.
Outcome 3 Understand the role of the public sector in providing services
and how individual roles contribute to service provision
1. Candidates should identify the types of customers that use a public sector organisation.
Customers - different services may use different terms for their customers eg citizens, members
of the public, service users, clients. Customers may also be funders and other organisations that
have significant working relationships with the organisation. Customers may be internal as well
as external.
2. Explain In terms of the need to plan services, provide services, evaluate services, identify
changes in the pattern or level of customer need, and respond to feedback and demand.
3. Describe in terms of adapting existing services, altering priorities, allocating staff or resources
differently, changing procedures, by introducing new services.
84 Level 2 and 3 Diploma in Business Support (4475-12/13)