Communications is a recognised profession and, alongside legislation, regulation, spend and taxation, is one of the five levers for effective government.

The EA Communications resource is finite, therefore, to support the development, implementation and review of the strategy, it is important that we invest in developing and supporting the Communications Team, prioritising and protecting key areas of work that add value and that can only be taken forward by communications professionals.

As stated earlier, it is also important that the strategy and key actions are owned, supported and delivered by the entire organisation at both a strategic and operation level to ensure successful implementation.

To do this we will commit to:

• Prioritise communications resources on high profile media management, critical school support, parental campaigns, strategic communications support for key service change and improvement, strategic internal communications, social media, and digital content development to support key priorities.
• Annual review of advances in communications, technology (including AI) and digital platforms to ensure the Communications Team are upskilled in line with best practice, including (but not exhaustive), annual development plans for all team members, access to Government Communications Service resources, courses and events, training opportunities with other services e.g. EAtv.
• Build the capacity of Directorates to develop first draft content (with clear messaging and clarity on the story they wish to tell), including statements, press releases, internal communications, social media posts etc. and lead on photography and videos as appropriate and required.
• Investment in the right hardware and software for digital and social media content development.