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Fast Stream Assessment Centre guide

Stakeholder Communication Exercise

This is a one-to-one role-play scenario where you will respond to questions from your line manager, portrayed by the assessor, concerning an assessment or implementation of a government policy. 

You will have 35 minutes to review various documents and videos related to the initiative, followed by a 30-minute meeting with the Assessor.

As noted earlier, this scenario follows the Written Advice Exercise and shares the overarching policy theme. The degree and manner of linkage may vary, but your performance in this task is assessed completely independently of the written component.

You do not need any prior knowledge of the of the specific policy area.. All the information you need to do well in the exercise will be presented to you on the day. Should any recall from the earlier exercise be required, the relevant details will be supplied.

What specifically is assessed?

This Stakeholder Communication Exercise will provide evidence of the following dimensions:

Think
– Considers the broader context and identifies patterns and interrelationships.

Relate
– Collaborative, consultative, and attentive to others’ needs; values diverse perspectives.
– Demonstrates self-awareness, empathy, and emotional control; leaves a positive impression.
– Influences others effectively and communicates clearly.

Adapt
– Incorporates new ideas and improves existing methods.
– Adapts quickly to changing requirements and situations.
– Learns swiftly and applies new knowledge effectively.

Strive
– Driven to achieve and succeed.
– Goal-oriented, striving for improvement and taking responsibility.

How can I prepare for this exercise?

It’s not necessary to prepare extensively for this exercise, as all the materials you need will be provided on the day. However, if you wish to prepare, consider the following approach. First, choose a topic you’re unfamiliar with, such as an obscure government policy, say from another English-speaking country like the USA or Australia. This makes it more likely you’re exploring new information. Conduct an internet search to gather a variety of perspectives on the topic, but avoid reading too deeply initially.

Next, think about the types of questions an Assessor might ask (play devil’s advocate with yourself), such as identifying key stakeholder concerns, strategies for engagement, worst-case scenarios, and potential adaptations to increase support. Set a time limit for reading the material, while keeping these questions in mind. Additionally, consider potential unexpected questions or requests for new ideas related to the policy area.

Then, ask yourself those questions. You could use AI tools to suggest possible questions. Practise answering these questions aloud and record yourself to review your responses. Focus on the structure, clarity, and persuasiveness of your answers. Consider how your intonation and overall presentation could be improved. Practising time management during this exercise is also crucial.

Lastly, reflect on past experiences where you’ve handled similar challenges, whether in work or education. This reflection can help you draw on relevant skills and boost your confidence for the exercise.

Tips for handling the exercise

– Make an initial skim through the materials and videos so you know how much you have to read and how to allocate your limited time.    

– There is sufficient information to enable you to do well in this exercise, but you will still need to be able to think on your feet, so prepare yourself for the unexpected and be prepared to think creatively if necessary.  

– When answering questions, refer to your notes and the briefing material provided to you for this exercise.  

– Towards the end of this exercise, when asked, be prepared to reflect honestly upon your performance in order to identify lessons learned. 

Example Exercise

The following material will give you a flavour of the exercise, however the actual exercise differs in content.

Skip this exercise

Background context 

It is August 2026, one month after reporting on voter turnout proposals. You continue your work at the Department for Intergenerational Fairness.  Now, you are tasked with addressing another critical issue for young people: access to affordable housing. This challenge remains acute, with soaring house prices, unprecedented homelessness rates, and a population growing at 1.7% annually. The scarcity of affordable homes is particularly pronounced in areas where young people need to live for work. The social housing sector is oversubscribed, and private rental options often offer substandard living conditions, unsuitable for those looking to settle down and start families.

The lack of affordable housing contributes to the perception among those under 30 that they lack a stake in the economic prosperity of British society. The government’s plan to revise the UK’s planning rules is a key long-term strategy to address this crisis, though it may take three to five years to see tangible benefits. In the meantime, housing bodies, local authorities, and homelessness charities are urging immediate action, including exploring innovative and alternative solutions.

A think tank, ‘Infrastructure Futures’, has proposed several innovative ideas for addressing immediate housing needs. These proposals, which the government is considering for pilot implementation, focus on leveraging new technologies and reimagining living spaces. The technological innovations include 3D printing of modular components, off-site construction with lightweight materials, robotics for heavy construction tasks, drone technology for surveys, and advanced materials like ‘green concrete’ that support environmental sustainability. Additionally, the proposals suggest using neglected urban spaces to create new housing opportunities.

The government remains open-minded about these ideas, recognising their potential to impact significantly housing shortages within three years, and to alleviate pressure on the broader housing market. Before proceeding with any pilot projects, you have been tasked with reviewing initial polling data and stakeholder feedback to understand public and stakeholder attitudes and develop ideas that might address any concerns.

Your task

You will shortly have a one-on-one discussion with your line manager (played by the Assessor) who will have a number of questions to put to you on this topic. Your task is to answer those questions.

You should now review the provided materials.

Assessor questions

Your Assessor may ask questions such as: how to reassure key stakeholders about the proposal; how to manage potentially negative media impacts; strategies for building stronger relationships within the community, with housebuilders and new residents; and suggestions for refining the proposal to enhance its effectiveness. Additionally, you might need to address a challenging emerging issue in order to demonstrate your ability to think on your feet.

Information on the provided materials 

There are 7 pieces information to support you in completing this task

Item 1. Further information on the policy

Housing policy componentsSummary descriptionProsCons
Floating Homes
Innovative two-bedroom homes built on water to reduce inner-city density. Includes split-level, open-plan living.

Innovative, space-saving, flood-resistant, and energy-efficient. Mix of social and market-rate housing.
Potential environmental impact on riverbeds, construction complexities, long-term sustainability concerns, and high initial costs.
Homes above Railways
Apartment blocks and commercial facilities above railway tracks, featuring one-bedroom units.

Efficient use of space in city centres, close to public transport, reduced car usage and emissions, uses innovative construction methods.
Noise and vibration issues, limited residential project experience, high costs from insulation techniques, potential job losses in construction.
Evolving Homes
Modular homes that can grow with the family, offering flexibility and adaptability

Flexible and adaptable, affordable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly materials.

Challenges in adding units and energy efficiency, issues with relocating homes, difficulty finding available land.
Underground Homes
Apartments in existing subterranean spaces (e.g., unused tube stations) in prime locations.

Utilises existing underground spaces, lower energy needs, safer from external weather impacts.

Health concerns from artificial light, safety concerns (collapse, evacuation), high excavation costs.
Shipping Container Homes
Sustainable ‘pod’ homes using recycled containers on landscaped sites, extendable by combining units.

Sustainable, cost-effective, recycles existing materials, easily adaptable and scalable.

Insulation and ventilation issues, short lifespan (3-5 years), quality concerns with recycled materials.

Item 2. Government’s key objectives

Although efficient construction costs, minimal environmental impact and making use of innovative, ground-breaking approaches that challenge accepted building practices are key, other criteria of importance to the UK Government are: 

  • Target population: the solution needs to target those individuals in greatest need of affordable housing.
  • Tenure type: will the housing be used for shared ownership, affordable rent or social rent? 
  • Supporting the growth of the UK construction industry 
  • Supporting the UK technology sector with potential benefits for export of UK expertise

Item 3. Summary of Speech by Francine Wainwright, Minister for Housing and Urban Development

Many young (under 30) and middle-aged people in the UK can’t afford homes, despite having good jobs, due to a long-standing failure to build enough. The government plans to address this by exploring new building methods and redefining homes, aiming to increase affordable housing from the current 12% of new builds. This initiative targets diverse groups and seeks to stimulate growth in the construction sector, emphasising innovation, sustainability, and skill development.

Item 4. Head of Homes for All (charity for the poorest / most marginalised in society) 

The government’s new housing programme aims to boost affordable housing but hasn’t clarified how these new homes will be allocated among shared ownership, affordable rent, and social rent options. Shared ownership combines aspects of buying and renting, affordable rent is limited to 80% of market rates, and social rent is capped at 50%. The income-based eligibility criteria for these housing types, particularly the lower threshold for social rent, may not adequately support the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, homeless, and single-parent families, potentially favouring young professionals.

Item 5. From Construction News (UK) “How to make Britain’s Construction Industry Future Proof”

Traditional house building methods have seen little change in the past century, resulting in lower productivity compared to other sectors. Adopting modern techniques, such as offsite prefabrication and digitisation, can significantly reduce waste, inefficiencies, and construction time, which also addresses skill shortages by requiring fewer on-site workers. Utilising new technologies can potentially double the construction speed compared to traditional methods.

Item 6. From The Department for Business Innovation

The dual impact of embracing innovative construction techniques and addressing domestic issues such as housing shortages and sustainability, can significantly enhance the UK’s economic growth and global standing through opening up new export markets.

Item 7. Opinion polls

Opinion polls and social media reactions show mixed views on the housing proposals. Some believe the initiative marginalises those needing decent housing and should focus on fundamental issues like student debt and job stability. Others worry it might lower housing standards, while a few see it as a practical short-term solution for young people’s housing challenges.