Keep getting everything you can from your membership
Your events, training and resources
Reading this on Friday morning? You still have time to join today’s webinar at 13:00 Duolingo’s owl scares me: An introduction to trauma-centred design.
Here’s a top 6 of hopefully key things for you
- Top Talent starts in Birmingham next week.
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. - The first Local Government Innovation Hackathon comes to the University of Leeds in April.
Meet practitioners from local and central government to rethink and modernise planning processes using digital, AI and data science and access to a wealth of newly unlocked planning data. - Apply for bursaries to attend Medical Informatics Europe 2025 in Glasgow.
- Read and watch – techUK: Harnessing data to improve local public services [with Institute Director Sam Smith]
- Published on Wednesday: Future Governance Forum’s Impactful Devolution 02: Local government for the digital era
- Get the data you need on us this year. Started your 1 complimentary benchmarking module yet?
Take care. I hope you can have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Alex.
In Your Resource Hub
Procurement and social value: suppliers and local authorities
Minutes from the Socitm and CCS procurement and social value roundtables. Perspectives on social value and the impact of the Procurement Act 2023.
Case studies: filter to find relevant case studies for what you’re doing.
You might have missed…
Watch Mastering local government IT service delivery challenges with ITIL4 processes
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
Get to know and use AI
Case study: Birmingham Council enhances efficiency with voice automation
WeChange.AI
Looked into WeChange.AI yet? Your member-only rates expire at the end of March ⏳
Many of us struggle to exploit the full potential of 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:
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
Resident Digital Transformation Strategy: a blueprint for embedding AI, data and digitalisation into their core services.
Fri-28-Mar | 10:00 to 11:00 | Embracing the inevitable: How AI is transforming data governance
A nuanced, yet practical discussion about embracing technological innovation and safeguarding your most critical assets.
Wed-02-Apr | 13:00 to 14:00 | Harnessing AI for a smarter S/4HANA migration
Explore how using an AI toolset can help mitigate your challenges and strategically prepare your organisation for 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]
Tue-29-Apr |11:00 to 13:00 | Using intelligent automation to meet the challenges facing local government in Northern Ireland
A showcase of how local public sector organisations like yours are using IA to drive innovation, CX improvements and cost savings.
Cyber security
Cyber@Socitm
Get and stay secure
Find practical help, skills and a deeper understanding of cyber security in local public services.
How would you answer these 10 cyber security questions?
The CAF offers a systematic approach to assessing how well your organisation manages cyber risks to its essential functions. Socitm has some key questions and action points to help support your cyber security posture.
Your 10 key questions to think about
You might also like:
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: community engagement and communication
Councils are improving relationships with residents by transparently communicating how their personal data is handled. Public sector organisations are using data and community involvement to shape policymaking, especially in AI technology deployment.
Case study: London Borough of Camden: Data charter and AI technologies – Enhancing trust, transparency and understanding of data use among residents.
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:
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:
Read: How to become a better ally across the tech landscape and beyond
Tue-25-Mar | 11:00 to 12:00 | Keeping inclusion a priority during challenging times - Guest speaker: 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
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
- 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.
I’m not saying that gathering the data is easy, but Socitm helps with the way it lays out the surveys, which makes it intuitive and straightforward to use. Turning gap identification into service improvement is the real hard work, all underpinned by benchmarking data.
John McVey, ICT production manager for Argyll and Bute Council
Events
Free webinars and meetings hosted by Socitm
1pm webinars are open to the public sector, membership is not necessary.
Your next webinar
Wed-26-Mar Eliminate integration headaches and connect data silos
Hear from Argyll and Bute, East Lothian and Hertsmere about transforming service delivery by breaking down data silos, streamlining workflows and delivering exceptional digital citizen services
- 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:
Not only to we have a delegate/guest speaker coming from New Zealand, but the whole UK will be there through everyone’s local government association – COSLA, NILGA, LGA and WLGA.
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
- 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-30-Apr and Thu-1-May GDS and the Incubator for AI: local government innovation hackathon [Leeds]
- Wed-7-May Microsoft Innovation and Collaboration Forum
- Thu-8-May Transforming public Services 2025 [Glasgow]
- 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]
Ready for digital in the NHS?
The NHS is undergoing a major shift from analogue to digital systems. Are we fully prepared?
NHS professionals are invited, by FEDIP and HPCA, to a 3-part webinar series to make sure you’re central to shaping digital transformation. Insights will inform a national NHS Digital Transformation Report and Best Practice Guide.
Some things for you to think about:
- What does “digital readiness” look like for NHS teams?
- What challenges do staff currently face in adopting digital ways of working?
- How can NHS professionals influence the process to ensure digital systems work for them, rather than adding to their workload?
The webinars to join:
- Wed-30-Apr | 12:00 to 13:00 | EPR implementation: lessons and challenges
- Wed-18-Jun | 12:00 to 13:00 | AI, digital and data readiness in NHS teams
- Thu-25-Sep | 12:00 to 13:00 | Change management for digital transformation
Thank you for reading (or scrolling) this far! Just one more thing…
Find some handy stuff in the Free Squiggly Careers Toolkit.