w4mp | guides & good practice

It's 04 February 2012

Guides & good practice

Page last updated: 21 December 2011

Here you will find guides, documents and other useful material. We are continuing to stock our library and we welcome suggestions for new material. Some guides are written by us or other staff working for MPs and some originate from various House Departments. You can, however, still find everything that was on the old site by visiting the archive.

Your Job – survival tips

Casework – essential tools

Your office – vital skills

Research – crucial kit

Parliament – the knowledge

You can also see a selection of Standard Notes – from the House of Commons Library

Your Job

	Date added/revised
How to apply for a job with an MP	30/09/2011 Revised on
Internships - main page listing guides for managers and interns	31/07/2010 Updated on 31/07/2010
Welcome pack for new staff 2010	06/06/2010 Revised on 18/07/2011
How to survive your first ten days in the constituency office	26/05/2010 Revised on
How to survive your first ten days at Westminster	26/05/2010 Revised on 06/06/2010
2010 guide to Working for an MP - for New Staff	30/04/2010 Updated on 06/06/2010
Twelve Months in a Constituency Office	18/01/2010 Revised on
12 months at Westminster - the obstacle course	02/01/2010 Revised on
Staying sane over the summer recess	19/08/2008 Updated 17/08/2010
Moving on - Life after working for an MP	29/07/2008 Updated on 03/03/2010
Work Experience in an MP's Office	18/06/2008 Small addition on 03/11/2008
Staffing Allowance salaries ready reckoner	14/05/2008
Getting a Job with an MP. Part 2 – Giving a Successful Interview	21/04/2008 Revised on
Getting a Job with an MP. Part 1 – Applications: Creating a Winning CV & Cover Letter	26/02/2008 Updated on 22/11/2008
Looking for a job working for an MP? (or in a politics-related setting)	13/08/2007 Updated on 21/10/2011
Maternity Leave and Pay for MPs' Staff	22/05/2007 Revised on 23/07/2010
Staff salary scales from May 2010	04/01/2007 Revised and updated on 31/03/2011
Training courses for MPs' Staff	25/11/2006 Revised on 05/05/2010
National Minimum Wage and Volunteers	28/09/2006 Thoroughly revised and expanded 21/03/2010
Protocol clarified on representing constituents	01/03/2006 Updated 23/08/2011
Sports and social groups for staff	08/01/2006 Revised and updated on 06/06/2010
Looking for accommodation	27/11/2005 Updated and expanded 14/03/2010
Register of Interests	15/07/2005 Updated on 18/03/2011
Working from Home: A guide for those who work for an MP	11/03/2005 Revised on 13/11/2008
Facilities for children in Westminster (including Childcare Vouchers)	09/02/2005 Updated on 20/03/2009
Can't ring constituents who bar calls from withheld numbers?	03/01/2005
Facilities and Services for Members' Staff	19/11/2004 Revised on 12/03/2007
Do you need to register as self-employed?	01/09/2004 Minor edit on 03/11/2008
Foreign nationals working for MPs	27/07/2004 Revised on 26/01/2011
Opening a bank account - guide for non-UK Interns/Students	12/03/2004 Additional information added 19/11/2008
Union membership for MPs' Staff	02/01/2004 Revised on 30/03/2010

Casework

	Date
Constituency Casework Toolkit - from the Commons Library	12/12/2011 Revised on
Welfare Reforms 2011 onwards - road map to changes	21/03/2011 Revised on
Introduction to the Child Maintenance System and CMEC	13/02/2011 Revised on
The Tax Credit System - A comprehensive casework guide	18/01/2011 Thoroughly updated and revised on 30/08/2011
Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman's Toolkit for MPs' staff	15/12/2010 Revised on
'Help for helping your constituents' - Citizens Advice Bureau guide	13/09/2010 2011 edition 13/09/2011
Parentline Plus - resource for MPs	21/06/2010 Revised on
Planning for Constituency Cases - Library Standard Note	22/03/2010 Revised on 18/10/2011
Asylum casework	17/02/2010 Updated on 24/06/2011
Employment Support Allowance	03/12/2009 Revised on
Dealing with Service Providers and Consumer Protection (for Caseworkers and Researchers)	25/11/2008 Revised on
Bringing the Warm Front Scheme into your constituency	29/10/2006 Updated and revised 31/05/2010
Immigration Advisory Service	06/08/2006 IAS has gone into administration 13/07/2011
Immigration Casework	08/06/2006 Updated on 13/07/2011
Members and Constituency Etiquette - vital guide	01/03/2006 Small update 25/02/2009
Should you be doing casework?	27/02/2006
Guide to the Child Support Agency	28/01/2005 Revised on 13/02/2011
The UK Border Agency visa services website	21/06/2004 Revised on 13/01/2010
Case management software information	16/03/2004 Revised on 13/11/2009
Hotline numbers for MPs, MEPs, MSPs, AMs and their staff	12/01/2004 Revised on 14/01/2009

Your Office

	Date
Working with lobbyists - We are here to help	22/10/2010 Updated 15/02/2011
Internships - main page listing guides for managers and interns	31/07/2010 Revised on
Freedom of Information and Data Protection issues	26/05/2010 Revised on 22/08/2011
Researcher’s Guide to Managing an Intern	31/08/2009 Revised on
Commons Personnel Advice Service	27/01/2009 Revised on 15/06/2010
Employment Rights	20/10/2008 Revised on
Hiring Staff - Part 3 Induction	26/08/2008 Revised on
Hiring Staff - Part 2 Interviewing	15/07/2008 Revised on
Hiring Staff - Part 1 Recruitment	24/06/2008 Revised on
Defamation - how it applies to MPs	05/01/2007 Revised and updated on 8 Dec 2008 12/08/2008
Public Bill Guides - preparing Public Bills and how they proceed	28/03/2006 Updated and revised 22/12/2008
Using the Library from the Constituency	01/05/2005 Updated leaflet April 2011 25/07/2011
Services from the Library for Members' staff	05/01/2005 Updated leaflet February 2011 25/07/2011
Promotion of a Political Party: Guidance from the Information Commissioner	06/07/2004 Updated and revised 12/09/2008
Managing an MP's Diary	23/03/2004 Thoroughly revised 12/10/2008
Organising events in the constituency	09/03/2004 Updated on 22/12/2008
Laptop security	26/02/2004 Revised on 14/12/2008
Handling Lobbyists	24/02/2004 Thoroughly revised and updated 21/12/2011
Handling the Media	14/02/2004 Revised and updated on 15/12/2008
Useful Resources for the Constituency Office	01/05/2003 Updated version 17/11/2008

Research

	Date
Library Briefing Papers (Research Papers and Standard Notes)	30/09/2011 Revised on
Guides to Commons Library Services	19/04/2011 Updated on 26/07/2011
Debate Packs from the Commons Library	13/04/2011 Revised on
Commons Library Talks	24/03/2011 Revised on
The Library Loans Service	06/06/2010 Revised on
Online resources from the Commons Library	31/05/2010 Revised on
Library Contact Scheme	31/05/2010 Revised on
Keeping up to speed with breaking news	30/12/2008 Revised on
Political opinion polling	29/12/2008 Revised on
Commons Library Directory of Subject Specialists - latest version	01/05/2008 Updated on 03/03/2010
10 things the Library can do for you	06/12/2007 Latest version added 13/02/2010
Speechwriting for Party Conferences	14/09/2007 Revised on 15/12/2008
How to compile a briefing for a roundtable or panel discussion	25/05/2007
Standard Notes from the Commons Library	02/05/2006 Updated on 18/10/2011
Using the Library" - comprehensive guide and contacts info	05/07/2005 Updated on 26/07/2011
Parl'y Office of Science & Technology - POSTnotes	26/06/2005 Updated on 28/01/2010
Useful Internet Tools for Staff	25/05/2005 Updated on 31/12/2008
HoC Library useful publications	16/03/2005 Revised and updated on 18/03/2010
YouGov - online public opinion polling	29/09/2004
Current awareness and topical briefings on the Library Intranet	31/08/2004 Updated on 23/06/2010
New Statesman Trade Union Guide	10/08/2004 Revised and updated on 15/12/2008
Politics-related websites - Keele University links	10/08/2004 Updated on 16/12/2008
Parliament and the Constitution Alerting Service	26/03/2004 Revised on 21/11/2008
Staff Guide to the Council of Europe	25/03/2004 Revised on 23/05/2007
Writing a speech	12/02/2004
Sources of Information	01/01/2001 Revised on 04/12/2003

Parliament

	Date
Dods Legislation - new Bill tracking service	13/04/2011 Revised on
Parliamentary Outreach - free service for the public	21/10/2010 Revised on 31/07/2011
Whips and Their Work	13/11/2009 Revised and updated on 27/10/2010
Statutory Instruments made simple	13/05/2009 Revised on
Expenses and Allowances	23/04/2009 Revised on 31/05/2010
How to get photos of your MP in the chamber	13/03/2009 Revised on
Electoral Reform	07/03/2009 Revised on 13/05/2010
Online tours of the Houses of Parliament	13/01/2009 Revised and updated 13/01/2010
Working on Public Bills	18/12/2007 13/11/2009
Security at Westminster and in Constituency Offices	07/12/2007 Latest update 16/12/2010
Guide to All Party Groups	03/09/2007 Updated and revised 20/04/2009
How to organise a school visit to Westminster	18/06/2007 Updated and revised 30/04/2011
Parliamentary Questions (PQs)	26/04/2007 Updated and revised 26/09/2011
Booking committee and meeting rooms	06/09/2006 New version added 17/02/2009
Access to refreshment facilities in the Palace of Westminster	17/05/2006 New version added 27/02/2009
PICT (Parl'y Info Communication & Technology) - what they offer	24/11/2005 Revised and updated 24/06/2009
List of current MPs elected to Parliament following the 2010 General Election	05/11/2005 23/06/2010
List of Ministerial Responsibilities	21/10/2005 Revised on 14/04/2009
How to arrange Gallery Tickets	29/09/2005 New version added 13/03/2009
'Servants of the House' - what the Clerks do	06/07/2005 Updated and revised 14/03/2009
Public Bills before Parliament - http://services.parliament.uk/bills/	25/06/2005 Link updated 30/06/2009
Glossary of Parliamentary Terms	07/06/2005 Updated and revised 31/01/2009
The Members' Handbook	05/06/2005 New version added 18/07/2011
Maps of the Parliamentary Estate	25/04/2005 Updated and revised 31/05/2010
Online Parliamentary Archives catalogue	29/03/2005 Updated and revised 24/06/2009
theyworkforyou.com website	25/02/2005 Updated and revised 31/01/2009
What Happens During a Dissolution of Parliament?	14/02/2005 Updated for 2010 Election 28/02/2010
Watch Parliamentary proceedings on the Internet	02/12/2004
Leader of the House of Commons Website	26/11/2004 Updated on 21/04/2009
“You and Your MP” factsheets now available in 16 languages	22/11/2004 Updated and revised 23/04/2008
House of Lords Newsfeed	21/09/2004 Updated 30/06/2009
Today's Meetings - where to find them all	08/09/2004 Updated 24/06/2009
What is impeachment?	27/08/2004 Updated and revised 13/06/2009
Early Day Motions	17/06/2004 New version added 26/02/2009
What is "Prorogation"?	11/05/2004 Updated on 16/11/2009
Business of the House and its Committees: a short guide	26/04/2004 Updated 31/05/2010
Parliamentary Tours - the script	13/04/2004 Updated and revised 25/06/2009
Petitioning 10 Downing Street	12/03/2004 Thoroughly revised 14/03/2009
Understanding the Parliamentary Stages of a Government Bill	04/03/2004 Updated and revised 13/06/2009
How the place works" - Parliamentary Procedure	05/01/2004 Fully revised and updated on 22/09/2010
Departments of the House of Commons	01/01/2001 Revised on 13/07/2011

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