Secretary of State Zoo Inspectors' Performance
Research Findings
August 2003
Secretary of State Zoo Inspectors' Performance
| Nominated Officer: | Robert Vagg |
| Contractor: | A.G. Greenwood MA, VetMB, FIBiol, FRCVS |
| International Zoo Veterinary
Group Keighley Business Centre South Street, Keighley West Yorkshire, BD21 1AG, UK
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| S.D.J. Hicks MInstF (Cert), MSc | |
| Hicks & Hayes 48 Stoke's Croft, Christchurch Street East Frome, Somerset BA11 1QD
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The aim of this paper is to provide a short appraisal of the above research contract which was recently completed.
Aims and objectives
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The aim of the project was to furnish the Department with the information required to make a decision on whether an appraisal system is required to analyse the performance of Zoo Inspectors and, if so, what form it should take.
- As a part of the project, the Department required the development of a proposed appraisal scheme, which should be cost effective and lead to a more proficient inspection regime.
Methods employed
Eight different evaluation research methods were used for this project:
- Contextual interviews - with a small, selected group of individuals placed just outside the immediate area of interest, to gauge the context of our investigation.
- Review of instrument - a review of the methods previously used to select individuals to the Secretary of State's list of zoo inspectors.
- Stakeholder consultation - an extensive consultation by questionnaire to three groups of stakeholders - zoos, local authorities and Secretary of State's zoo inspectors.
- Consultation of Zoo Standards Review 1999 - the review carried out by the Zoo Standards Review Group for DETR in 1999 was consulted to identify areas of overlap with this study.
- Review of licensing regimes for other inspectorates - a review of comparable inspectorates was undertaken, to identify what, if any, appraisal or performance management was employed.
- Observation at zoo inspection - observation of an actual inspection, to attempt to identify areas where potential for inconsistency exists.
- Review of findings from Zoo Inspectors' Training Seminar - in order to gauge the level of interest from listed inspectors in training in the inspection process.
- Review of zoo inspection reports from defined collections - an attempt to identify any inconsistencies in the approach of inspectors.
Conclusions
The consultation exercise revealed that, although all responding groups felt that Secretary of State's Zoo Inspectors were knowledgeable, professional and competent, 73% of responding local authorities and 69% of responding zoos felt that there is a real need to instigate some form of performance evaluation for zoo inspectors. Thirty-one per cent of zoo inspectors agreed with this view.
The results of our combined research clearly indicate a greater need, and support for, training for Secretary of State's Zoo Inspectors, rather than for appraisal per se, in order to achieve the benefits perceived to be important.
In light of our research findings and the outcome required by the stakeholders, and taking into account the drawbacks and risks identified, we have developed an Integrated Performance Management System. The system is based on a 5-yearly re-appointment cycle for zoo inspectors, to include Criteria for Inclusion, initial and regular compulsory training (to consist of 2 compulsory annual training days per 5 year period), appraisal at inspection, and a monitoring system with centralised record-keeping by Defra.
Recommendations
We recommend that the Department implement our proposed Integrated Performance Management System, to begin one year from the acceptance of this proposal.
In order for the Department to successfully implement the system, a number of factors must first be in place. The Department should:
- Develop a mission statement for the Secretary of State's Zoo Inspectors.
- Provide training and guidance to zoo inspectors on the historical perspective and aim of the inspection process.
- Develop a series of Core Competences required of zoo inspectors.
- Clarify the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, particularly with regard to the Conservation, Education and Research requirements of the Zoo Licensing Act (England and Wales) Amendment Regulations 2002.
- Require returns of inspection documents from local authorities, and adopt a centralised record keeping and monitoring system for this information.
It is recommended that the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales combine resources with the Department, and implement this Integrated Performance Management System for their zoo inspectors as a joint initiative.
Page published:21 August 2003