Large Scale Assessment Centre Delivery

The client is a non-departmental government body, with responsibility for assessing and maintain standards of financial probity and best value standards in local government and the NHS. Participants were external applicants (over 400) from a wide range of disciplines applying for call-off contrast as Best Value Inspectors and Housing Inspectors (typical organisational level – senior management team, chief executive). 

Objectives of project

• Delivery of first stage interviews to short-list for assessment centres
• Delivery of assessment centres leading to appointments, with targets to appoint over 100 inspectors in short-time span
• Improvement of the candidate : appointment ratio at assessment centre stage, whilst ensuring quality of appointments
• Identification of best areas of deployment and useful development actions

OPS Involvement

• Competence-based interviewing of over 400 candidates following application form sift leading to assessment centre
• Co-ordinating all logistics for over 30 assessment centres sited at locations close to the BVIS’ regional sites in London, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Bristol: materials and all timetables, candidate liaison and preparation materials, selecting and co-ordinating venues, managing and booking assessors and role players
• Management and assessment of one-day, competency-based assessment centre for over 200 candidates, leading to over 100 appointments
• Feedback to client on candidates’ performance, strengths, and developmental needs following assessment centre
• In-depth telephone feedback to unsuccessful candidates following process

Outcomes

• More than 100 appointments within timescale
• Improvements in candidate : appointment ratio due to improvements in first stage interviewing