Scottish Public Service Awards 2023

The 10th Scottish Public Service Awards are open for nominations!

 

This is the tenth year of the Scottish Public Service Awards (SPSA), which Holyrood Communications runs in partnership with the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government. Nominations are now open across 11 categories, and the deadline for nominations is 10 October.

The finalists will find out who has won at this year’s award ceremony in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, 6 December hosted by the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Shona Robison, and Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone.

These remarkable awards have been created to celebrate the often-unsung contribution made to Scotland’s civic society from within the civil service, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, local government, health and social care sector, broader public sector and their partners within the Third Sector. Holyrood is proud to play a part in showcasing some of the innovative and thought-provoking work being done the length and breadth of Scotland.

Inspired by the collaborative spirit of the great, late, Campbell Christie, and his efforts to help reform Scotland’s public services, Holyrood launched the awards in 2014 with his ambitions in mind and with the aim of identifying and rewarding best practice, teamwork, innovation, and clear leadership across Scotland’s diverse public services.

The awards have now become a firm fixture in all our calendars, and nominations consistently celebrate the talent, commitment and all-round compassion that exists within Scottish public service. Teams and individuals across Scotland, all contributing in their own way to making our much-coveted public services more innovative, efficient, imaginative, and cost effective. Each one of them makes a difference, whether large or small, to the lives of the Scottish people.

It’s free and easy to enter the awards. The shortlist will be announced in early November, and all finalists will receive an invitation to attend the awards presentation ceremony in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, 6 December.

You can find information on all of last year’s winners on Holyrood.com here.

THE CAMPBELL CHRISTIE PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM AWARD

An award for the team that best embodies the spirit of public service reform as envisaged by Campbell Christie in his ground-breaking vision for public service delivery of the future. With a focus on prevention, working across departmental and organisational boundaries, placing the citizen at the centre of service delivery, and working efficiently to tackle the causes of social ills, rather than solely the symptoms.

THE CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognises exceptional performance by a team or individual in the delivery of a highly engaging, imaginative and creative communications campaign that can demonstrate real impact. Campaigns can be either internal or external stakeholders/audiences, use any channel, and any budget.  The judges are looking for measurable change, campaign recognition and real audience engagement.

THE PROJECT AND PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AWARD 

(in partnership with the Association for Project Management) 

This award celebrates a team or individual demonstrating excellent practice in project, programme and portfolio management, which has led to positive change for good. The judges are looking for why the project, programme or portfolio management stood out as exceptional, and what positive impacts this had. Why was this project head and shoulders above the rest and what identifiable approaches and processes were implemented that resulted in positive outcomes and ambitions being achieved?

THE COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS AWARD

Recognising a team or individual that has demonstrated exemplary commercial practice, achieving better outcomes for public bodies. This category is open to any public body in a commercial partnership that has shown excellence in collaborative working, including contract negotiations and management, commercial policy development, smart procurement, best practice supplier management, or new models of public service delivery.

THE LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Leadership Award is open to any individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities at any level. Nominations should demonstrate how the nominee’s leadership has inspired those around them, and the impact they have made on civic society.  

THE DIGITAL PUBLIC SERVICES AWARD 

(in association with Leidos)

This award recognises the innovative use of digital technology to solve problems and/or improve efficiencies and ultimately deliver improvements in public services to the citizen. The judges are looking for measurable outcomes.

THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD

This award recognises the work of public bodies and their delivery partners in ensuring that the communities they serve are fully engaged in the development and delivery of public services in their area. Nominees should show how these links have been made describe what the outcome was.

THE CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD

An award for an individual, team, group or network that demonstrably promote the values of equality, diversity and inclusion by initiating and leading action to remove barriers of discrimination and prejudice and improve the working experience and engagement levels of all employees across all strands of diversity.

THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR PARTNERSHIP AWARD 

(in association with SCVO)

This award will recognise public sector organisations working in partnership with charities or community organisations to deliver better outcomes in public services. Increasingly, these partnerships provide the day-to-day services that are vital to people and communities throughout Scotland. They are often crucial for the wellbeing, or even survival, of citizens and community assets that could otherwise slip through the cracks.

THE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

(in association with Vattenfall)

A submission in this category should demonstrate how an organisation or team has implemented policies, campaigns or technologies to help tackle the climate emergency, contribute to net zero emissions or to increase resilience to climate change in civic society. This award recognises those working towards a greener and more sustainable economy that benefits all. Entries should be supported by results.

 

THE POLICY INTO PRACTICE AWARD

This award recognises a project or approach by an individual, organisation or community-based initiative that has applied public policy to an issue to make a real difference in terms of practical delivery, user experience or costs effectiveness. This award will recognise the efficacy of taking a paper policy designed in theory and putting it into real-life practice and being able to demonstrate its worth in terms of improving the lives of Scots.

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement award recognises the achievements of someone who holds the good of public service to their very core. This is not open to public nomination and will be chosen by the judges.

How to enter:

It's free to enter, and the deadline for nominations is 10 October. Nominations are made using our website, and you will need to submit a 300-word nomination with a 100-word summary, with the option to supply a testimonial and supporting items:  

1. Summary of your nomination (100 words)

2. Nomination including measurable benefits and impact (300 words)

3. Opportunity to include a testimonial, (150 words)

4. Upload up to three supporting items (video, images, testimonial)

You can enter the same project for multiple categories provided the nomination is tailored to the category.

Who can enter:

Unless stated under the category, entries are welcomed by those working in or with Scotland’s civic society from our civil service, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, local government, health and social care sector, broader public sector and their partners within the Third Sector.

WHAT IF YOUR NOMINATION IS SHORTLISTED?

The shortlist will be announced in the week commencing 6 November. You will receive an invitation for you and a colleague to attend the awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament on 6 December, 6:00-8.30pm, where the winners will be announced.

BENEFITS OF ENTERING

 

The SPSAs offer an excellent way of sharing innovation and best practice, whilst raising the profile of your project, team or programme.

Chief Executive
Paul Gray
Civil Service Commissioner
Lesley Fraser Headshot
Director General Corporate, The Scottish Government
Alex Hartley Headshot
Portfolio Director for Mission Support, Leidos Innovations UK
Stephen Boyle Headshot
Auditor General for Scotland
Laurence Rockey Headshot
Director, Scotland Office
David McGill Headshot
Chief Executive, The Scottish Parliament
Bruce and John Usher Professor of Public Health
MD of Holyrood Communications and editor of Holyrood magazine
Chief Executive, SCVO

    THE CAMPBELL CHRISTIE PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM AWARD

    An award for the team that best embodies the spirit of public service reform, showcasing the exceptional public sector of the future – working across departmental and organisational boundaries, placing the citizen at the centre of service delivery and working to tackle the causes of social ills, rather than solely the symptoms.

    WINNER: NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service SARCS Policy Unit, The Scottish Government.

    A Chief Medical Officer Taskforce was established in 2017 with a five-year plan to deliver person-centred, trauma-informed healthcare and forensic medical examination services for people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse in Scotland. The Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland commended our approach to ‘ethical participation’ by ensuring the lived experience voice was at the core. The Taskforce five-year plan has concluded. Key achievements include a dedicated Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) in every health board and new legislation so that adults can self-refer to a SARCS, without first having to report to the police. NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service, SARCS Policy Unit, The Scottish Government

    RUNNERS UP: 

    Social Security Directorate and Social Security Scotland

    Operation Nightguard, Street Assist Edinburgh

     

    THE COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

    An award that recognises exceptional performance by a team in the delivery of a highly effective communications campaign, targeting either internal or external stakeholders/audiences.

    WINNER: How to Save a Life, Scottish Drugs Forum

    The How to Save a Life campaign was a mass, multi-media campaign, commissioned by the Scottish Government and delivered by Scottish Drugs Forum which included television and radio adverts, social media, and billboards. 

    The campaign aimed to increase awareness of drug-related deaths, the signs and symptoms of an overdose, how to respond to an overdose, increase the supply of take-home naloxone and to increase awareness and generate discussion of drug-related deaths as an important public health issue. 

    RUNNERS UP:

    Scottish Government/PHS, COVID Vaccination Marketing

    "Settling In" Lung Cancer Campaign, Scottish Government

     

    THE PROJECT AND PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AWARD in association with Project Management Institute

    An award recognising good practice in project, programme and portfolio management.

    WINNER: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, NHS Scotland and Scottish Government National Team

    The covid-19 vaccination programme has been the largest post war logistical and public health endeavour of its time, saving many lives and protecting the citizens of Scotland during the global pandemic. People 5-100+ years have been protected and there has been many phases of vaccination delivery with over 12.6 million vaccinations given. 

    The National Programme was centrally led with local delivery across the 14 health board areas of Scotland. The level of complexity in the programme was immense and this required robust programme management to orchestrate, delivery, oversee and ensure that all elements were delivered for people in Scotland

    RUNNERS UP

    Homes for Ukraine Project, Aberdeenshire Council

    Operation Unicorn, Scottish Government on behalf of Team Scotland

     

    THE COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS AWARD

    Recognising a team or individual that has demonstrated exemplary commercial practice, achieving better outcomes for public bodies through contract negotiations and management, commercial policy development, smart procurement, best practice supplier management, or new models of delivery.

    WINNER: Best Start Foods - Building New Retail Partnerships, Social Security Scotland

    Social Security Scotland’s Best Start Foods pre-paid card supports low-income families with the cost of buying healthy food, while removing the stigma of using food vouchers. Feedback showed that clients were not using all available money, had difficulty using the card and were, at times, unclear where it could be used.

    Social Security Scotland undertook partnerships with major retailers Iceland, Scotmid/Co-op and ASDA to drive awareness, produce more clarity and stimulate take-up. 

    By speaking to shoppers direct, the result was an eye-catching campaign which generated media interest, engaged people face-to-face and generated all-important word-of-mouth conversation about Best Start Foods.

    RUNNERS UP

    SSEN Energy Advice Project, Citizens Advice Scotland

    Community Wealth Building Project, Scotland Excel

     

    THE LEADERSHIP AWARD

    An award open to any individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership.

    WINNER: Hanna Beaton-Hawryluk, Associations of Ukrainians in Great Britain

    Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk was appointed Holova (Chairperson) of AUGB Edinburgh on 05 March 2022 and has led the Associations response to the current crisis in Ukraine with professionalism and commitment with a view to honouring the organisation's founders.

    RUNNERS UP

    Paul Little, City of Glasgow College, Leading Scotland's International Maritime Hub during COP-26

    Steve Hopton, Fife Council, Fife Justice Social Work Service

     

    THE DIGITAL PUBLIC SERVICES AWARD in association with Leidos

    This award recognises the use of technology to deliver improvements in public services to the citizen.

    WINNER: Right Decision Service for Scotland’s Health and Social Care, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre

    In response to unprecedented demand on health and care services, the new national Right Decision Service provides technology tools that enable people to make safe decisions quickly ‘on the go’, based on validated evidence. These decision support tools work through day-to-day technology – web and mobile apps and are embedded in electronic care systems. 

    This new service has already had major impact. It delivers over 150 decision support tools, for eight national programmes, nine territorial boards, three health and social care partnerships, and three charities. 

    Benefits include efficient triage in urgent care, reducing medicines-related harm, and citizen self-management of long-term conditions.

    RUNNERS UP:

    Check In Scotland - Covid-19 Response & Recovery, Scottish Government

    Taking the stress out of applying for Free School Meals and Clothing Grants, Renfrewshire Council

     

    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD

    This award recognises the work of public bodies in ensuring that the communities they serve are fully engaged in developing and delivering public services in their area.

    WINNER: Edinburgh Ukraine Support, The City of Edinburgh Council

    City of Edinburgh Council recognised the importance of having the Ukrainian community at the heart of the city's response from the early days of the project. Working with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh Branch, the project has embedded a multi hub support network to ensure the Ukrainian community are well supported with their welfare, cultural and informational needs. The City of Edinburgh Council has supported c. 7,500 Ukrainians arriving through Edinburgh Airport.

    RUNNERS UP:

    Alcohol & Substance Education, I Am Me/Police Scotland/Renfrewshire Council

    Dundee Community Food Network, Dundee City Council

     

    CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD

    An award for an individual, team, group or network that demonstrably promote the values of equality, diversity and inclusion by initiating and leading action to remove barriers of discrimination and prejudice and improve the working experience and engagement levels of all employees across all strands of diversity.

    WINNER: Emerging Leaders Programme, Edinburgh College

    Edinburgh College, Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators (SAMEE) and the Scottish Parliament collaborated in order to develop the Emerging Leaders programme for Black, Asian and minority ethnic employees within the Scottish Parliament in order to allow them to achieve their full potential. 

    This innovative leadership and management training programme was developed in response to the Parliament reporting an ethnicity pay gap as part of its diversity monitoring. This is partly to do with the majority of Black, Asian and minority ethnic employees being at lower grades and a lack of role models in senior positions.

    RUNNERS UP:

    Collette Gallagher, Scottish Children's Reporters Disabilities Group

    Edinburgh College Anti-Racist Unity Group (ARUG), Edinburgh College

     

    VOLUNTARY SECTOR PARTNERSHIP AWARD in association with SCVO

    This award will recognise public and third-sector organisations working in partnership to deliver better outcomes in public services. These partnerships provide the day-to-day public services that support and care for people and communities throughout Scotland. And they are often lifelines for vulnerable citizens who could otherwise go unnoticed.

    WINNER: Improving Experiences of Living with Serious Illness, Caring, Dying and Grieving, Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care

    SPPC brings together over 100 partners from across Scotland, within the statutory, third sectors and independent sectors - NHS Boards, hospices, HSCPs, charities, professional associations, social care, community groups. Partners bring money, expertise and a passion to improve experiences during the most difficult phases of life. Over 30 years, quietly and with a low profile, SPPC has enabled collaboration which has led to service improvement, innovation, education, policy development, problem solving and education, within a domain that people often find hard to think about. We also work directly with the public, enabling community-led action, public education and information resources.

    RUNNERS UP:

    Keep Safe Scotland, I Am Me Scotland & Police Scotland

    Dundee's Safe Zone Bus, Arwen Elder, Dundee City Council and Tayside Council on Alcohol

     

    SUSTAINABILITY AWARD in association with Veolia

     This award will recognise how working together, the transition to a green and more sustainable economy benefits all.

    WINNER: Local Authority Fresh and Organic Food Network, Mark Hunter, East Ayrshire Council

    East Ayrshire Council have continued to procure fresh and organic food through a local framework working with local producers and suppliers since 2004. This framework has been reviewed and renewed since 2004 and now the Local Authority Catering Services work with 7 local suppliers. This is seen as supporting community wealth building, the circular economy and creating jobs for local people. It also support Food for Life/Soil Association accreditation were we value the food on a plate within our school meals, the welfare standards for our animals and food education within our schools and community.

    RUNNERS UP:

    Helping farmers and landowners understand how they can improve nature on their land - The CivTech Programme, Scottish Government with NatureScot and Sabbio

    Global Scale-Up Programme, Alexander Holt, CivTech Alliance, Scottish Government

    LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    The Lifetime Achievement award recognises the achievements of someone who holds the good of public service to their very core.

    WINNER: Prof. Alexis Jay OBE

    “I feel hugely honoured to be given this award. Since I first became a social worker in Glasgow in 1975, everything I have learned and experienced in my working life has been from within the fine Scottish tradition of public service - in local government, in the third sector and in the Scottish Government. But nobody does this work alone, and it has also been a privilege and a pleasure to work with so many committed and skilled people over so years.” - Prof. Alexis Jay OBE

     

     

    Event Details
    • Days
      Hours
      Min
      Sec
    • Start Date
      6 Dec 2023 6:00 pm
    • End Date
      6 Dec 2023 8:30 pm
    • Status
      Upcoming
    • Location
    • Category
    • Event Hashtag

      #SPSA23

    Sponsors