Cultural change is imperative for success of ICS

Leeds, 10 December 2007 - IT systems for the public sector have undoubtedly been problematic, but some Local Authorities are using the Government’s Integrated Children’s System (ICS) agenda (part of the Every Child Matters Initiative) to turn a corner and get it right.

The Government’s January 1^st 2007 deadline for ICS implementation came and went with only a few pockets of successful councils meeting this deadline. Considering the extent of cultural change demanded by ICS, perhaps this is not surprising. For many Local Authorities, the implementation of a fully operational ICS system has demanded such a huge change to the working processes of their care practitioners that they have had to co-ordinate comprehensive change management programmes to motivate staff into using new working processes and to counter change-resistance. This may be time-consuming – but what price is that to pay if the results are positive, and a robust infrastructure is being built for the future?

Liquidlogic can put you in touch with three Councils that have all experienced a radical reappraisal of working practices and staff attitudes to IT as a result of their ICS implementations. North Yorkshire County Council, Hartlepool Borough Council and Cumbria County Council have implemented Liquidlogic’s ICS PROTOCOL solution, and are happy to talk to you about the particular methods they have employed to tackle cultural change.

North Yorkshire County Council– Fran Senior, ICS Project Manager. The impending go live of Liquidlogic’s ICS PROTOCOL s scheduled for the New Year.

Hartlepool Borough Council – Ian Merritt, Senior Children’s Services Officer. Implemented full ICS system in July, 2007.

Cumbria County Council – Karen little, Strageic Project Manager for Children’s Services. First local authority in the country to implement a fully operational ICS system in 2005.