What drew me to the NGDP was the sheer variety of placement opportunities available. Due to the size and scope of local government, you can pursue so many different interests and so many types of roles, I am still excited about the possibilities for my third placement.
My first placement was in Housing, in the tenancy management team. This was mainly a frontline position, where I interacted on a daily basis with the residents. I also wrote two policies and guidance notes, one on hoarding and one on gas safety check procedures. I really enjoyed working in a service that affected people's every day lives. It is also tough and rewarding being on the front line as you are directly accountable to the residents, if they think you are wrong they will not hesitate to tell you.
My second placement was in Tri-Borough Adult Social Care, in the Transformation Portfolio Delivery Unit – a strategic or back office role in a frontline service. My council (Hammersmith & Fulham) shares several services with Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, and working in a Tri-Borough team has been team has been really interesting. We have three different sets of councillors, one of which is now a different administration, so I have learned a lot about major strategic transformation as well as working in a political environment.
In the past year, I have learned a huge amount about project management best practice, working with a broad range of people, and ultimately about the key point of local government – providing the best service to our customers, the residents. I have found this to be my key motivation.