All public sector organisations face the same basic dilemma – delivering effective services while spending less money. As a flexible and committed local government partner, Capita leads the way in developing and operating new models of service delivery, supporting budgetary pressures and meeting the individual needs of our clients, their employees and the communities in which they serve.
We recognise that one size does not fit all and each of our partners needs a solution that suits their individual requirements, whether this be sharing services, combining a number of providers from the public, private and third sectors or a more traditional outsourcing model.
Whatever service delivery model you need, Capita’s understanding of this changing sector can support organisations in delivering service efficiency, quality and flexibility.
Partnerships and service agreements
Our direct contracting agreements give clients straightforward access to the wide range of resources and services Capita can provide.
The employees involved would either TUPE transfer to Capita or be seconded to us for the duration of the contract. Around 70% of employees have transferred to Capita. Our tried and tested process and dedicated expertise ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Shared services
Shared services are an established model to support local authorities in reducing their budgets and achieving efficiencies. Capita operates the largest shared service operation in the UK, offering comprehensive, cost-effective and resilient services to our clients and underpinning the quality and control processes in place.
Our shared service centre infrastructure utilises a combined pool of more than 2,000 dedicated employees, comprising specialist teams and additional resources to meet peaks in demand. Local authorities benefit from stable and consistently high-performing services that are cost-effective due to these economies of scale.
In the age of austerity public sector organisations are increasingly recognising the shared service model as a viable and successful way to reduce costs and pool resources without compromising innovation and the level of services delivered
A shared future
In 2011 Capita and SOCITM supported research, carried out by UKauthorITy, which tested the importance and future role of public sector shared services, through surveying senior directors and officers from just under one fifth of all major UK public sector organisations.
Overwhelmingly, over 94% of respondents agreed that shared services was an opportunity for cutting costs, and more than seven in ten saw shared services as presenting an opportunity for innovation – with similar numbers also viewing it as an opportunity to radically redesign services and improve service delivery.
You can download the full report here.
Joint ventures
Capita operates a number of successful joint venture companies with clients. Typically we set up the joint venture as part of the Capita Group. Both parties own the shares, with Capita as the major shareholder. Operating as a stand-alone business it relies on strong governance, transparency, collaborative targets, with strong participation from employees who are generally seconded into the joint venture.
As well as serving the client the joint venture also provides similar services to other organisations – benefiting from economies of scale and shared expertise.
Read about Service Birmingham, our successful joint venture with Birmingham City Council.
* ‘The first steps: building a culture of trust to deliver shared services’ is published by Informed Publications.