Learning from Failures
RHI Inquiry · The Report of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme · Issued 13 March 2020 · Addressed to: Northern Ireland Executive
Source — verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
The Northern Ireland Civil Service should develop a better process to learn from past failures, one that goes beyond the traditional method of revising and circulating internal guidance. Leaders within the Senior Civil Service must be more systematic, persistent and proactive in explaining to staff what changes are needed and supporting staff to adapt their working practices. A tougher level of external scrutiny, such as from the nonexecutives on the boards of Departments and from strengthened Assembly Committees, while no guarantee of success, would increase scrutiny and help ensure that systematic changes are made and sustained.
RHI Inquiry, The Report of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme · 13 Mar 2020 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
Publicly available evidence relating to this recommendation:
- The NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024) assessed this recommendation as Implemented, upgrading it from "Likely" in the first progress report, noting that the Non-Executive Directors Forum had been briefed and the NICS Board now commissions and scrutinises lessons learned exercises (NIAO Second Progress Report, October 2024).
Response — verbatim from government
●Northern Ireland Executive
[Note: The NI Executive responded to recommendations 8-18, 24, 26-28, 32b, 34-36 together as a group under the 'Professional Skills, Resourcing, Record Keeping and Raising Concerns' themes.] NI Executive Response (October 2021): These recommendations can be accepted in full. They have been partially addressed through: the revision of the NICS Code of Ethics; the GIAFIS review of whistleblowing; the Leadership Development training for senior officials. Further work is required to: implement the remaining recommendations of the GIAFIS review; Launch and promote the revised NICS Code of Ethics; develop an encompassing 'Raising Concerns' policy informed by the NIAO Good Practice Guide; Provide appropriate guidance to managers, staff and the public about addressing concerns in the NICS; endorse a culture of curiosity and challenge; enhance the role of Departmental Boards, including the role of NEDs and Ministers, and review the remit and agenda of Boards.
Northern Ireland Executive · 7 Oct 2021 Written response →
Evidence trail — what's actually happened since
- 15 Oct 2024 NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024): Implemented. Upgraded from 'Likely' in the 2022 assessment to Implemented. Non-Executive Directors Forum briefed; NICS Board now commissions and scrutinises effectiveness reports; Raising a Concern Policy Framework in place. Source →
Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.
How this page is built
Source and Response are verbatim from primary documents. The Evidence trail records published activity since — written statements, consultation outcomes, inspection findings, parliamentary references. The Index does not paraphrase or characterise intent; it tracks what has been published. Where the evidence is the absence of action (a missed deadline, a slipped timetable), that absence is documented from primary sources rather than inferred.
This recommendation's data is verified periodically against primary sources. The Index is monitored for staleness weekly.