This paper explores the management of wicked policy problems in public services, highlighting the complexities of social realities. It examines the conditions for effective integration and performance management (PM) as tools to tackle these challenges, focusing on a policy trilemma. The case study of child poverty in the UK and Ireland is used to analyze theoretical insights and practical implications.
One morning all of the animals in the forest awake to discover an intruder in their midst! It’s a bright blue outhouse, installed by the park ranger who is tired of the forest smelling nasty and his dog walking in stinky animal poop! From now on, the animals must do their business in the outhouse. Dr. Grunter the boar, Billy the bear, Harriet the hare, Prickly the hedgehog, Fancy the fox, Antony the stag, and Olive the owl all do their very best to use this strange and unnatural device. But was the outhouse really such a good idea? Mishap ensues as each animal tries to impress the others by pooping in the plastic, portable potty. Animals in the Outhouse shows children it is never worth doing something you are uncomfortable with just for the sake of fitting in. Children will love this silly story that is also a lesson about conformity.