'How-to guides' for ministers and their teams
Drawing on the experience of those who have done these roles in the past, combined with the IfG’s wider research into how government can work better.
Explore our how-to guides
Managing difficult conversations in private office
Because private office teams’ sit between ministers and civil servants, they often need to deliver difficult messages across the department.
How special advisers can work with departmental communications teams
Special advisers need to build close, trusting relationships with departmental communications teams.
Working with private office as a special adviser
Your dedicated private office plays a key role in enabling you to do your job.
Introduction to private office: a guide for new starters
The fast-paced nature of private office work means that there is rarely time for a full induction into the role.
How ministers can lead during a crisis
Lessons from previous ministers, senior officials, heads of public bodies on how current ministers can be most effective during a crisis.
Ministers’ ways of working: A guide for private office
This resource for private office teams is a guide for a conversation with your minister about how they want things to work in the office.
How to be an effective parliamentary private secretary
As a parliamentary private secretary, you are a vital link between parliament and Whitehall.
How to be an effective joint minister
As a joint minister, you are well-placed to support collaboration across government.
Working with the department as a special adviser
You may end up working with officials more often than with your minister. How can you do that effectively?
Handling submissions as a special adviser
A lot of your time will be spent helping manage the flow of information to the minister. But how do you deal with submissions as a special adviser?