Our Values and Behaviours
At Devon County Council, our values and behaviours define how we lead, serve and work together. Developed using insights from residents, staff and the young people of Devon, they guide our decisions, shape our culture and support our ambition to deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities.
Our values and behaviours are:
- Sustainability – We act for the long term, making responsible choices.
- Fairness and Equity – We treat everyone how we would like to be treated.
- Honesty and Accountability – We act with honesty and take responsibility for our actions.
- Collaboration – We share knowledge, work together as one council and value everyone’s contribution.
- Transparency and Resilience – We are open, clear, adaptable and ready for change.
These values are demonstrated through the way we work every day, from how we build relationships and make decisions, to how we support colleagues, embrace innovation and deliver services for the people of Devon. We expect our leaders to embody these values, creating inclusive, supportive environments where people can thrive and where children, young people and families remain at the heart of what we do.
To view the Behaviours Framework in full, please follow this link.
The Recruitment Process
Our values and behaviours sit at the heart of how we recruit, develop and support our people. Alongside assessing professional knowledge, skills and experience, we use our values and behaviours to identify leaders who will help create positive outcomes for the children, families and communities we serve. These values include Fairness and Equity, Honesty and Accountability, Collaboration, Sustainability, and Transparency and Resilience.
The selection process has been designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate not only what you have achieved, but how you achieve it. Through a combination of interviews and assessment activities, we will explore your leadership approach, decision-making, relationship-building skills and ability to deliver meaningful change.
Throughout the process, we will be looking for evidence of how you:
- Treat people fairly and create inclusive environments where different perspectives are valued.
- Lead with honesty, integrity and accountability.
- Build strong partnerships and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
- Make sustainable, long-term decisions that deliver lasting benefits.
- Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and openness in response to change.
Our aim is not simply to assess whether you are right for Devon County Council, but also to help you decide whether Devon is the right place for you to continue your leadership journey.
As you prepare for your assessment day, we encourage you to reflect on examples from your career that demonstrate these values in practice. Consider how you have led people, managed challenges, built relationships, improved services and delivered outcomes for children and families.