Direct Services

In summary the role of Direct Services is to provide the Best Possible Services, in Catering, Grounds, Cleaning Services Support Services, Performance Management and Communications and to support the work of the Directorate.

Catering Services

Provides a comprehensive catering service to Staffordshire schools.
Works with schools and officers of the authority to maximise investment catering facilities
Caters throughout the County for officers and elected members at in-service training events, corporate events and in County Buildings
Caters for the public in Shire Hall Coffee Bar, Marquis Drive Visitors Centre and Forest of Mercia Innovation Centre

View the Catering Services website.

Grounds Service

Provide a comprehensive grounds maintenance and development service to Staffordshire schools.
Provide grounds maintenance service for other County Council establishments and outside bodies.

Budgets for Catering, Grounds and Cleaning services are delegated to schools, who are able to determine the service provider and the type of service.

Catering and Grounds Services employ 2,100 operational staff, based in establishments across the county. The central management teams are based in Stafford and:

Monitor operational standards and financial performance
Maintain and develop the operational service
Manage risk and ensure compliance with all hygiene, health and safety statutory requirements
Provide continuing professional and personal development for all staff
Market and promote the service
Design, plan and project manage new facilities
The catering central management team provide practical support to ensure continuity of service in times of staff absence or change in service delivery

Cleaning Services

Cleaning Services provide cost effective cleaning, janitorial and caretaking services to a wide range of County Council premises. The team provides an efficient service through flexible service level agreements meeting the requirements of customers. This can involve the recruitment, selection, training and development of staff, provision of technical advice, health & safety and monitoring of standards.

The Operational Team is responsible for the management of the front line operational activities within Cleaning Services. This includes the Operational Managers, cleaning staff, cleaning supervisors, janitors, handy-persons and site supervisors.

The Operational Support Team is responsible for the development and co-ordination of the operational training and administrative support systems for the operational team. The team can offer training solutions for all areas of the unit's functions.

The Operational Development Team is responsible for research and development to ensure the latest technology is employed and provides technical support to County Council Directorates. The team is also responsible for electrical repairs to cleaning machinery and may be able to provide this type of service to other areas of the County Council. Within this section are the Technical Cleaning & Maintenance team who provide specialist cleaning and maintenance services.

View further information on Cleaning Services.

Support Services

A dedicated Support Services function is provided in-house, which:

Provides administrative support to operational staff and managers
Manages procurement processes
Provides information for management of the service
Manages repair and maintenance of equipment and premises
Administer grant claims for EEC and welfare milk schemes

The service also operates the post room and reception for Children and Lifelong Learning Tipping Street offices.

Directorate Management Support Service (DMSS)

DMSS believes that 'Getting the basics right' can principally be achieved via the successful implementation of the '10 Steps towards a Performance Management Framework'.

The Directorate Management Support Service (DMSS) is tasked with providing stimulus and support to the whole Directorate in order to implement the 10 steps and ensure that performance management is effectively realised throughout the Directorate.

From a functional perspective DMSS is able to provide support across the Directorate in the areas of:

Communication and Marketing
Planning and Performance Management
Research and Policy Development
Information and Data Management
Project and Programme Management

The DMSS Team also provides support to the Strategic Leadership Team. It provides support for planning and performance issues and for major projects. It provides information to inform strategic planning and policy. It also includes the DMT Support team, Information Management, Communications and Database teams.

Communications

The Children & Lifelong Learning Directorate needs staff, customers, partners and stakeholders to be well informed to support the processes of decision making and continuous improvement.

The role of the Directorate's Communications and Marketing Service is to:

Create, implement, monitor, review and evaluate an effective, co-ordinated and streamlined infrastructure for all communications - county, directorate and division.
Align internal communications with media relations programmes.
Lead/co-ordinate the directorate's external communications and media (profile raising) strategies.
Ensure induction programmes are aligned to the communications strategy
Instigate staff surveys

Last Modified: 11/03/2008 15:06:36
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