Merlin Standards Feedback

As you will be aware, in April 2010, Carley Consult on behalf of the DWP conducted a pilot assessment in the two Yorkshire CPA’s of our Supply Chain Management systems. The assessment focussed on four key areas of the supply chain: Supply Chain Design, Commitment, Conduct and Review. Our thanks to all those partners who responded to the DWP questionnaires and those that took part in interviews.

As a pilot, the assessment was not subject to a formal rating and we received positive informal feedback at the time, however we have now received the final audit report detailing the assessment findings. We are currently reviewing the feedback to see how we can improve going forward.

The report identified a number of key strengths: the strength and depth of the supply chain, including a good mix of Third, Public and Private sector organisations which had been researched to match local requirements; and the support given to small, specialist organisations enabling capacity building and employees, particularly around TUPE. It also commended the strong relationships that exist between A4e and partners facilitating effective two-way communication, particularly around performance, policy and processes and review and improvement.

However, it also highlighted some areas for improvement around a defined Quality Assurance approach and using data such as Equality and Diversity information to drive continuous improvement. It particularly highlighted the need to improve communications and support to Intervention partners to manage expectations