Benefits Realisation, Investment and Business Readiness for Change

Despite approval of the Full Business Case (FBC) for the new operating model for Forensic Services there was insufficient funding available within 2023/24 to provide the upfront investment required to implement the new model at pace and in line with the timescales in the Full Business Case.  To make progress with the implementation an efficiencies plan was developed to identify savings within Forensic Services to allow the priority elements of the model implementation to progress.

As part of the budget discussions for 2024/25, Forensic Services have agreed not to progress further implementation of the model that requires additional investment in the revenue budget for the organisation. To make further progress Forensic Services must continue to work on delivering efficiencies and maximise the benefits that are being delivered through the changes undertaken to date. Where year-on year-savings can be identified this will allow the further elements of the model to be implemented.

The Change Programme Plan contained at Appendix A outlines indicative milestone target dates for implementation, as far as possible within financial constraints, of our new operating model. 

We remain committed to managing the pace of change to minimise, as much as possible, impact to our people and our service delivery commitments.  Work is ongoing within the business to develop an absorbability matrix, mapping business as usual activity and operational priorities to assess and confirm business readiness for change as per the programme plan. 

Work continues on development of the Strategic Workforce Plan to build the right environment for pro-active recruitment and succession planning.  A revised programme plan and associated timeline will be issued once this work is complete.