The Governance Office
Governance is the framework by which organisations are directed and controlled. It identifies who can make decisions, who has the authority to act on behalf of the organisation and who is accountable for how an organisation and its people perform.
We provides support for our governing body and other decision-making domestic committees. We provide independent assurance that the House is being appropriately governed though our Internal Audit team and oversee key corporate functions, setting requirements across the House for business planning, risk management and organisational performance.
We also provide specialist advice and support for key areas of statutory responsibility such as Information Compliance and Safety and support the Commons Executive Board to engage effectively with staff, ensuring a supportive working culture for us all
What we do
We are made up of the Boards and Domestic Committees Secretariat, Information Compliance Service, Internal Audit, Parliamentary Safety Team, Strategic Planning and Performance and Engagement and Culture.
- The Boards and Committees Secretariat - we provide clerk and secretariat services, support and advice to the Commission and several advisory committees for the House of Commons.
- The Information Compliance Service - we are responsible for the House of Common’s compliance with information laws including GDPR, the data protection act and the freedom of information act. We also offer an advice service to Members and their offices.
- The Parliamentary Safety team - we work across the Commons, Lords, and Parliamentary Digital Service to advise on safety and ensure parliament is managing its safety risks effectively.
- The Strategic Planning and Performance team - we support areas across Parliament in delivering their strategic priorities by setting corporate requirements and encouraging best practice. We monitor continuous improvement, business planning, organisational performance, and risk management.
- The Engagement and Culture team - we support the Commons executive board to engage with staff and to support the House of Commons administration with bringing the House values and Parliamentary behaviour code to life.
Typical roles we recruit for include:
- Health and Safety Business Partner
- Lead Health and Safety Business Partner
- Information Rights Officer