Multi-level networked governance - Reflections from the better government for older people programme

The concept of joined up government has been interpreted mainly in terms of the need for horizontal integration between services which traditionally h ave been delivered through stand-alone departments, specialist professions, and 'silo' organizational structures. Two parallel concepts within the Gov ernment's modernization programme, namely 'citizen-centred, centred governa nce' and 'community leadership', imply the need also for vertical integrati on between different levels of governance. This article explores multi-leve l governance in terms of the complex inter-relationships between UK central government local government, and civil society, drawing on an evaluation o f the Cabinet Office-led programme of Better Government for Older People (B GOP). New structures, on their own, are inadequate without the necessary ch anges tit the inter-connections and inter-relationships. A number of sugges tions are made on how the Government might bring about the of cultural chan ges required to make multi-level networked governance a reality.