In the latest episode of Radical Reformers, Andrew Laird meets Becca Dove, Head of the Camden Centre for Relational Practice and Transformation and Simon Parker, Executive Director of Resources at Bath and North East Somerset for a rich, reflective conversation about making relational practice the norm in public services.

They explore what it really takes to embed relational ways of working across whole organisations, not just at the frontline. Drawing on their personal journeys through journalism, policy, think tanks and local government, Simon and Becca reflect on why relationships are foundational to better outcomes, stronger cultures and more sustainable public services.

The conversation moves from theory to practice, with examples from Camden and B&NES, including neighbourhood working, community-led approaches, relational budgeting and partnership models that grew out of the pandemic. Becca and Simon also grapple honestly with the tensions and challenges: inspections, budgets, evidence, and how to make relational change stick beyond individual leaders.

Above all, this episode makes the case that relational practice is not a “nice to have”, but a practical, intuitive and increasingly necessary response to rising demand and tightening budgets.

As Becca says, “honest and compassionate relationships have to be the first priority on which everything else is built”.