Effective Briefings, Submissions and Advice
£340
Learn how to write clear, concise and influential advice that helps senior leaders make better decisions.
Overview
In government and public services, decisions are only as good as the information that supports them. Whether you’re preparing a briefing for a senior leader, a submission for approval, or policy advice for decision-makers, your ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely is critical.
This practical course will help you develop the skills and confidence to write effective briefings, submissions and advice that cut through complexity, highlight what matters most and support informed decision-making. You’ll learn how to structure information, present evidence and recommendations clearly, and tailor your writing to the needs of senior officials, ministers and stakeholders.
Through practical exercises, real-world examples and expert guidance, you’ll develop a structured approach to producing professional written communications that are concise, persuasive and actionable.
What you’ll gain
By attending, you will learn how to:
- Write clear, concise and impactful briefings
- Structure submissions and advice effectively
- Present evidence and recommendations with confidence
- Adapt your writing for different audiences and decision-makers
- Focus on what matters most and avoid unnecessary detail
- Improve the clarity, influence and professionalism of your written outputs
- Develop a practical framework for planning, drafting and reviewing briefings
Who should attend?
This course is designed for professionals across government and public services who are responsible for preparing written advice, briefings, submissions or recommendations for colleagues, senior leaders or decision-makers.
Course Timing
| Time Zone | Start Time | Finish Time |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) | 12:00 | 16:30 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 08:00 | 12:30 |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 13:00 | 17:30 |
Currency & Pricing
Course fees are automatically displayed in your local currency during registration.
- Select your country in the registration form
- The system detects your region
- Prices are converted into your local currency automatically
- Exchange rates are updated dynamically at checkout
Need to pay by invoice? Once you have entered your details, you can select Pay by Invoice from the payment options.
£340
Agenda
Welcome and Introductions
Session 1: Overview and Policy Context
- Introduction to policy briefings and their role in supporting decision-making
- Understanding context and aligning briefings to audience needs
- Key principles of effective written communication in government
Session 2: Planning and Structuring Effective Briefings
- A practical framework for planning, writing, and editing written briefs
- Structuring meeting briefs and information briefs for clarity and impact
- Common pitfalls in briefing preparation and how to avoid them
- Breakout exercise: drafting a policy brief
Break
Session 3: Writing for Decisions
- How decision briefs differ from information and meeting briefs
- Writing clearly to support senior decision-making
- Structuring concise, evidence-based recommendations
- Breakout exercise: drafting a decision brief
Session 4: Review and Application
- Review of key learning points
- Discussion and feedback on exercises
- Applying briefing skills in real-world policy and delivery contexts
Close of Workshop
£340
About Your Trainer: Andy Smith
Senior leadership, policy and government transformation training for civil servants Andy Smith is a highly experienced public sector leadership trainer who has spent his career working in and with government organisations across the UK, Europe and globally. He specialises in leadership development, policy capability and organisational performance in complex government environments. Andy brings a rare…