Keep getting everything you can from your membership
Your events, training and resources
With my apologies to St David’s Day. I forgot you. And that is my oversight. And there’s even a Welsh dragon on the shelf above my desk. I’ve disappointed myself.
This week I’ve tried to break up the events by theming them (trying to keep this newsletter from getting too long – really). Is this helpful? Let me know 🙂
Reading this on Friday morning? You still have time to register for this afternoon’s 1pm webinar all about leadership heroes/role models hosted by Leadership Programme Manager Aidan Matthews.
Here’s a top 8 of hopefully key things for you
- Empowering Women and Top Talent training courses are coming to Birmingham next month.
Read your guide to using training points. Log in for the current number of available points. Don’t have enough or you’ve run out?
Log in for the current number of available points. Don’t have enough or you’ve run out? Let us know. - Members in the East, thanks so much for joining everyone yesterday. There’s a short-ish summary on LinkedIn about what we covered. If I’ve missed something/one tell me. And if you’d like more information about something that we talked about, let the membership team know.
- Next week’s meeting in Manchester is mostly about cyber security.
10:00 to 14:00 | Tuesday 18 March | Manchester M1 2PG
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit will lead a workshop in which you’ll build a Lego power plant.
Your team must decide on the security options for the plant year on year. What’s most necessary for protecting your new business and what could wait until the next year’s budget…? - ICYMI Free Microsoft Change Agent training is back in April and June.
- From the West Berkshire Open Digital Planning Blog: News about our Open Digital Planning work from March 2025
- April’s Introduction to Emotional Intelligence course is fully booked. Join in September or November instead.
- Procurement and social value
Read the minutes and notes from the Socitm and Crown Commercial Service procurement and social value roundtables, held in January and February 2025 - 10 cyber security questions for you to think about
Take care. I hope you can have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Alex.
In Your Resource Hub
Updated for 2025: Public Sector Digital Trends
Drawing on experiences from across the UK and internationally, the analysis is designed to help you plan your digital journey.
The whole thing: Public Sector Digital Trends: Beyond Borders
Case studies: filter to find relevant case studies for what you’re doing.
You might have missed…
Watch Cloud marketplace: a new age of procurement
For ease of viewing, the recordings are divided into easy to navigate chapters, with subtitles and transcript available via the video player toolbar.
You will need a user account on socitm.net to access member-only resources. Let us know if need any support.
AI@Socitm
WeChange.AI
Looked into WeChange.AI yet?
Your member-only rates expire at the end of March ⏳
Many organisations struggle to exploit the full potential of their existing applications, such as Microsoft 365, resulting in inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
WeChange.AI’s service addresses this, offering tailored strategies to maximise the value of current technology investments.
Log in to watch Andrew Boxall’s webinar Unlock the potential of your technology
You might also like:
Mon-17 to Tue-18-Mar AI UK 2025 [London] Join virtually for £20.
Wed-19-Mar | 11:00 to 12:00 | Algorithms and Allyship: exploring AI’s approach to queer inclusive content
Tue-25-Mar | 12:00 to 13:00 | Data Ethics: Consent Management Platforms
Wed-26-Mar | 10:30 to 12:00 | Targeting AI to deliver for residents
Hear about Basildon's Resident Digital Transformation Strategy. Shanna Chandiwana, their Assistant Director for Digital, Customer and Transformation, will cover in depth a blueprint for embedding AI, data and digitalisation into core services.
Fri-28-Mar | 10:00 to 11:00 | Embracing the inevitable: How AI is transforming data governance for local government
Wed-2-Apr | 13:00 to 14:00 | Harnessing AI for a smarter S/4HANA migration
Wed-2-Apr | 18:00 to 19:30 | How can we harness the power of AI for public benefit? [Cambridge]
Wed-2-Apr | 17:00 to 19:00 | Demystifying AI for Public Service Leaders [Swansea]
Cyber security
Cyber@Socitm
Get and stay secure
Find practical help, skills and a deeper understanding of cyber security in local public services.
NEW 10 key cyber security questions for public sector leaders
To support you in addressing cyber security challenges, the UK Government and the National Cyber Security Centre, along with local government organisations, have adapted the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) for use by councils.
The CAF offers a systematic approach to assessing how well an organisation manages cyber risks to its essential functions. It provides requirements, principles and outcomes to evaluate and improve cyber security.
Use our 10 questions to guide your cyber resilience.
You might also like:
Read: Strengthening cyber resilience in local government through WARPs
Thu-20-Mar | 10:30 to 12:00 | What is good cyber governance?
Tue-8-Apr | 12:00 to 13:00 | Role Model Stories: Journey into Cyber Security with Dr Andrea Cullen
Wed-30-Apr | 13:0 to 14:00 | CymruSOC: Insights from the UK’s first National Security Operations Centre
Harnessing data
Application areas: data quality and integration
Councils have worked to improve data quality and integration across their departments and systems by linking data with Unique Property Reference Numbers and using the Local Land and Property Gazetteer as the main reference for property data.
Case study: Westmorland and Furness Council’s Rapid identification of vulnerable households
Data driven decision making with Place Insight
Place Insight blends data into a single, simple-to-use platform. It’s a comprehensive Social Progress Index using 56 datasets per authority [in England]. Giving you a multi-layered view of social progress where you are.
Your members-only offer
Gain cost-effective access to Place Insight as an add-on to your membership.
To find out more contact Head of operations Poppy Brummell.
You might also like:
Tue-18-Mar | 09:45 to 16:00 | LocalGov Platforms, Automation and Data: Exploring Standardisation in Local Gov [Newark]
Tues-25-Mar | 13:30 to 16:00 | Roundtable: Driving Tech Sector Growth and Advancing the Digital Economy in Scotland [Glasgow]
Wed-26-Mar | 10:30 to 11:45 | The efficiency imperative: driving impact via data driven outreach with speakers from Darlington Borough Council and the Greater London Authority
Accessibility and inclusion
Check your website’s Silktide Accessibility Score
Log in to find your personalised monthly report and advice by clicking the ‘Check your website’s accessibility score’ tile.
Follow Silktide’s YouTube series: What in the World is WCAG?. Their most recent video is 3.1 Readable. #LearnWithCats
Fill out your Digital Accessibility Maturity Assessment
The DAMA is a comprehensive self-assessment. Hassell lnclusion send your score plus a report with next steps for how to improve your current position.
You might also like:
Mon-17-Mar | 15:00 to 15:25 | What you need to know to present in an accessible and inclusive way
Fri-21-Mar | 13:00 to 14:00 | Duolingo's owl scares me: An introduction to trauma-centred design
Tue-25-Mar | 11:00 to 12:00 | Keeping inclusion a priority during challenging times
Guest speaker is Sarah Harris, Inclusion and Diversity Strategic Lead for Kirklees Council
Thu-27-Mar | 16:00 to 17:00 | How to support the digital needs of neurodivergent people in 2025
Tue-29-Apr |11:00 to 13:00 | Using intelligent automation to meet the challenges facing local government in Northern Ireland [please note early start time]
Training
In-person leadership courses
Empowering Women
- Taunton |Tue-1 to Wed-2-Jul and Fri-3-Oct | 3 points
- Huntingdon | Thu-18 to Fri-19-Sep and Thu-20-Oct | 3 points
Place-based Leadership
- London |Thu-27 and Fri-28-Feb | 4 points
- Manchester | Tue-13 to Wed-14-May | 4 points
- Birmingham | Mon-27 and Tue-28-Oct | 4 points
Top Talent
- Birmingham | Thu-27 to Fri-28-Mar and Mon-9 to Tue-10-Jun | 4 points
- Glasgow | Wed-25 to Thu-26-Jun and Thu-28 to Fri-29 Aug | 4 points
- Cardiff |Tues-9 to Wed-10-Sep and Mon-13 to Tue-14-Oct | 4 points
Online core skills courses
- Weds-2 and 23-Apr | 09:30 to 12:30 | Managing And Motivating Hybrid Teams | 1 point
- FULLY BOOKED Tue-15-April | 09:30 to 12:30 | Introduction to Emotional Intelligence | 1 point
Spaces still available in September and November - Tues-6 and 20-May | 09:30 to 12:30 | How to be an Effective Coach | 1 point
Registering for training
Read your guide to using training points. Log in for the current number of available points. Don’t have enough or you’ve run out? Let us know.
Things happen. If you can’t make the date of your training course let us know ASAP and we’ll get you onto the next suitable one available. And your training points will transfer with you.
Please note: non-attendance without letting us know will mean training points getting deducted from your organisation’s annual total.
How was your course? Tell us about it and be a training champion 🙂
You might also like
Wed-26-Mar | 13:30 to 14:30 | Making the Belbin learning stick: sustainable behaviour change for real teams
Free training with Microsoft
Get the knowledge and confidence you need to lead a change delivery
- Tue-22 and Wed-23-Apr | 09:00 to 16:30 | Change Agent | 0 points
- Mon-16 and Tue-17-Jun | 09:00 to 16:30 | Change Agent | 0 points
This free course is a collaboration between Microsoft and Socitm. You do not need to be a Socitm member to attend this course.
Better data improves everything
For 2025 only: Use one benchmarking module
Choose from: cost, delivery, performance or user skills.
You’re busy. Benchmarking does take up some of your time. And that can make it the thing you keep meaning to do. This (calendar) year it won’t take up any of your budget. Make 2025 the year you do get round to it.
Other people are benchmarking and so can you:
Argyll and Bute Council: Using Socitm benchmarking to transform a service desk operation
Watch Benchmarking: what will you measure in 2025?
Events
Member-only meetings
Meet people for catching-up, problem sharing (and solving) and great networking.
- Tue-18-Mar Meeting for the North West in Manchester
- Wed-2-Apr Meeting for London and the South East in London
- Mon-7-Apr Meeting for the Midlands in Birmingham
- Fri-9-May Meeting for the North East on Teams
Free webinars and meetings hosted by Socitm
1pm webinars are open to the public sector, membership is not necessary.
Your next webinar
Wed-19-Mar Mastering IT service delivery challenges with Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) 4 processes
The UK public sector is navigating a challenging macroeconomic environment marked by increasing expectations for service, tight budgets, and the critical need for secure and efficient IT operations. Explore how a modern approach to IT service delivery can help you to overcome demands and continue to drive innovation.
- Wed-19-Mar Mastering IT service delivery challenges with ITIL4 processes
- Fri-21-Mar Duolingo’s Owl Scares Me: An Introduction to Trauma-centred Design
- Wed-26-Mar How councils are eliminating integration headaches and connecting data silos with Citizen Hub
- Fri-28-Mar | 10:00 to 11:00 | Embracing the inevitable: How AI is transforming data governance for local government [please note early start time]
- Wed-02-Apr Harnessing AI for a smarter S/4HANA migration
- Tue-29-Apr| 11:00 to 13:00 | Using intelligent automation to meet the challenges facing local government in Northern Ireland [please note early start time]
- Wed-30-Apr CymruSOC: Insights from the UK’s first National Security Operations Centre
- Fri-16-May Transforming the Resident Experience at West Lindsey District Council
Missed one? Recordings of Socitm webinars are available in the Resource hub.
President’s Conference: Beyond Borders
Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 June
Fill up your notebook/notes app with ideas, contacts and things to do.
Another highlight from the packed agenda:
- Citizen Engagement
The University of Derby Civic team will demonstrate the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. Hear about its CivicLAB – a unique commitment to a place-based approach to improving outcomes for all.
Innovative research, fresh insights, and a focus on delivering real public value, this initiative is making a positive difference in the community.
You can too with the right relationships.
This will all be wrapped by Socitm’s members’ community to create the best mix of presentations and people in a collaborative and relaxed atmosphere.
Mostly free webinars and events hosted by partners and others
March
- Mon-17 to Fri-21-Mar Browse the Services Week 2025 schedule
- Mon-17-Mar Mapping your public service with Pobl Group: reviewing and redesigning their repairs service
- Tue-18-Mar
- Wed-19-Mar GovTech Show and Exhibitor 2025 Check your email newsletter for a member-only code to register free of charge.
- Wed-19-Mar How can we transform local government for the digital era?
- Thu-20-Mar How to do Welsh language user research when things aren’t perfect
- Thu-20-Mar Designing with service patterns
Work in progress of a service pattern library in Scottish Government - Fri-21-Mar From Friction to Flow: Service Design in Fast-Paced Product Teams hosted by Westminster City Council
- Tue-25-Mar Roundtable: Driving Tech Sector Growth and Advancing the Digital Economy in Scotland [Glasgow]
- Thu-27-Mar NILGA Local Government Celebration and Awards [Banbridge]
- Mon-31-Mar Mapping your public service with Wrexham County Borough Council: digital transformation of the council housing application process
April, May and June
- Wed-2-Apr Microsoft Innovation and Collaboration Forum
- Tue-29-Apr Digital Access Solutions in Primary Care: The Role of Technology
- Wed-30-Apr Make a difference, work for your local council – national recruitment campaign for local government
- Wed-7-May Microsoft Innovation and Collaboration Forum
- Thu-22 and Fri-23-May Local Government Partnership Network North 2025 [Manchester]
Socitm President Carol Williams is chairing both days - Wed-4-Jun Microsoft Innovation and Collaboration Forum
- Thu-12-Jun Public Sector Digital Transformation 2025 [Edinburgh]
- Wed-18 to Thu-19-Jun WLGA Annual Conference [Llandudno]
- Thu-19-Jun LocalGovCamp South West [Taunton]
GovTech Show and Exhibition 2025
Wednesday 19 March | 09:00 to 17:00 | London W1G 0AE
You’ll walk away with actionable insights on
- harnessing efficient, secure, and sustainable technology
- delivering cost-effective, citizen-centric services
- improving social progress through insights driven by data.
Connect with like-minded colleagues across the public sector and discover what works and what could work to improve outcomes for people, communities, and places.
Check your email newsletter for a member-only code to register free of charge.
Smart, secure and effortless public printing
Low IT burden. New revenue stream.
Printing is evolving, and Canon’s Print Share Solution leads the way.
With 95% of under-30s printer-less and 28% using home printers for work, this smart solution caters to modern needs. Ideal for libraries, universities, and shared spaces, it’s a self-service setup offering professional-grade printing, scanning, and copying.
Organisations gain revenue every time a device is used, with no need to handle payments manually or allocate additional resources for ad hoc and visitor printing.
It ensures secure guest printing in public places, better customer satisfaction, and seamless, cashless transactions.
Make printing as smart as today’s work styles with Canon’s trusted solution
Thank you for reading (or scrolling) this far! Just one more thing…
I’m currently listening to this episode of the Revisionist History podcast: How to Trust and Be Trusted, with Rachel Botsman
Photo by Angèle Kamp on Unsplash