Best Value Self Assessment

Forensic Services has started work on a comprehensive self-assessment of Best Value. This will provide valuable management information in support of continuous improvement and will also serve as preparation for any future inspections by Audit Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS).

A workshop was held in June 2024 with the Forensic Services Senior Leadership Team and SPA Corporate staff. At this workshop, SPA staff shared their recent experiences in Best Value self-assessment and a forward plan for Forensic Services was agreed.

To facilitate robust self-assessment, seven Short Life Working Groups will be established for each of the Best Value themes. These will explore:
• Vision and Leadership: Evaluating the strategic direction and leadership provided by Forensic Services, including the effectiveness of communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Governance and Accountability: Assessing the governance structures, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and integrity.
• Use of Resources: Reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of resource allocation, including financial management, human resources, and technological infrastructure.
• Partnerships and Collaborative Working: Examining the extent and effectiveness of partnerships with other criminal justice agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
• Community Responsiveness: Evaluating how well Forensic Services meets the needs of the communities it serves, including responsiveness to feedback and adaptability to changing demands.
• Fairness and Equality: Assessing the commitment to promoting equality and diversity within the organisation and in service delivery.
• Performance Management and Improvement: Reviewing the systems in place for monitoring performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to enhance service quality.

Staff from across Forensic Services will be provided the opportunity to nominate themselves for involvement in the Best Value self-assessment work. This self-nomination process aims to tap into diverse expertise and perspectives within Forensic Services, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of our practices and services.

Self-assessment will be facilitated through Best Value workshops that use the Scottish Government’s guidance for Accountable Officers and include assessment against defined indicators. These workshops will be supported by SPA Corporate colleagues and will also include key partners, including Police Scotland and COPFS where appropriate.

Workshops are planned to take place in Q3 of 2023/24 with a final report of findings being prepared and presented to the SPA Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee in Q1 2025. The below schematic provides a high-level summary of the proposed timeline.

The findings of this initial self-assessment will be used to identify areas that may require further exploration or may benefit from development.

To ensure ongoing improvement, Forensic Services will establish regular review cycles for self-assessment. This will involve periodic evaluations of performance against the Best Value criteria and incorporating lessons learned from previous inspections and audits.