Fair Work First 2021 

We have made significant progress in multiple Fair Work First initiatives, achieving formal accreditations where relevant and remain on track for all our in-year goals. A detailed response within each of the five Fair Work First initiatives follows.

 Microsoft 365 discovery 

We have helped to identify/define steps they should take towards MS365 as well as how they should be planned and delivered to achieve the transition to new ways of working this strategic project will provide

 Finance for the future: how can 
you make the most of your 
Finance function? 

"The local government Finance function is at the heart of ongoing challenges to deliver evolving public services with constrained budgets."

 The importance of wellbeing 

 in the workplace 

Jodie Yates

Consultant, CSR and Wellbeing Lead

​

"Wellbeing in the workplace has been on the rise for many years now, but the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly accelerated the pace of this movement. Notwithstanding the incredible challenges of the past year, there have been positive developments in terms of organisations looking at how they can support their people’s health and wellbeing through the pandemic and beyond."

 Migrating from thin clients and 

 PCs to laptops, Windows 10, 

 Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 

 InTune 

We supported Guildford Borough Council in their migration to Windows 10, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft InTune as well as modernising their devices. We set out an approach and gained agreement to invest and support an accelerated approach to the technology refresh, resulting in a solution which enabled positive changes.

 Developing a strategic, regional 

 estate plan 

Estates is a key enabler of the overall STP strategy. We used a proven, three-step project methodology to deliver within a target timeline of four months including assurance and discovery of the information baseline, information analysis and options appraisals, and produced an STP estates plan for a 5-year period.

 Single housing system 

 project assurance 

A decision in 2020 to break up East Kent Housing saw Socitm Advisory chosen to support one of these councils in assurance on the supplier financial and contractual proposals to enable Folkestone & Hythe District Council to confidently make the right choice and way forward for their Single Housing System.

 Covid-19 digital & ICT impact 

 survey of UK local authorities 

The full report of findings from our Covid-19 digital & ICT impact survey is now available for download. This briefing, produced in collaboration between Socitm and Socitm Advisory, and supported by LOLA and MCE, focusses on the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown on local authorities

 When technology sets you free 

​

We recently supported the National Lottery Heritage Fund with their modernisation from antiquated desk top systems and increased productivity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as they transition to remote working.

 How AI meets social care 

 Technical 

Produced in association with Socitm Ltd. The final guide in our series of four on 'how AI meets social care', this guide considers how to address technical issues in social care when embarking upon an AI journey.

 How AI meets social care 

 Trust 

Produced in association with Socitm Ltd. The first in our series of four guides on 'how AI meets social care', this guide considers how to build trust in advocating and introducing AI.

 Supporting LGA and

 NHS' response to Covid-19 

We're committed to supporting our public services and communities during the current Covid-19 pandemic. We are proud to be working with the NHS and Local Government Association (LGA) in national initiatives that are focussed on bringing impactful digital innovations.

 Care technology landscape 

This report presents an independent review of the care technology market. Produced in association with Socitm Advisory, the report is designed to inform those involved in the development of local authority care technology strategy and procurement planning. The report forms part of a continuing programme of Socitm research on our priority policy theme of health and wellbeing. The original content for the report was commissioned by Essex County Council (ECC).

 Data at the heart of the risk 
landscape in social housing 

The annual sector risk profile has been released by the Regulator this week, reflecting the changing risk landscape and challenges currently facing social housing.

 Who will you be buying your 
social care case management 
system from in 2025? 

The recent acquisition of Servelec by The Access Group will have raised both eyebrows and some questions, the most interesting of which could be ‘who will you be buying your social care case management system from in 2025?’

 Contact Centre review 

There had been little investment in the Contact Centre for the duration of the service desk contract and as a result, it needed to be modernised to take advantage of more up-to-date technology and working practices. Using our Socitm Digital Maturity Assessment (SDMA) we ran workshops, and provided the Council with a clear vision forward, transformation and modernisation guidance, and a prioritised roadmap.

 10 ways we are accelerating 

 diversity and inclusion in our 

 recruitment process 

Anthony Butler

Senior Consultant

​

"It is inspiring to see diversity and inclusion take the priority narrative in recent years and the positive steps that are taking place. Not just commentary but meaningful action and investment."

 Supporting a portfolio of 

 social care improvements 

We led and supported a range of projects over an eighteen-month period for Essex County Council to realise improvements to their social care commitments including assurance for their Assistive Technology Pathfinder and review of their Technology Enabled Care landscape.

 Market analysis and creating 

 investment cases for NHS FT 

 Private Patient Units 

Working with six NHS Trusts we delivered a successful Private Patients Units options appraisal and investment case, including chairing the Network Healthcare Private Patients Conferences at The Kings Fund and Royal Society of Medicine.

 Digital Pathfinder for urgent 

 care centres 

We project managed the delivery of the Hurley Group and Oxleas Foundation Trust proof-of-concept project for an Urgent Care Centre through active engagement of staff and patients using eConsult to promote the new service, resulting in 20% of patients successfully diverting to using eConsult online.

 Development of sustainability 

 outline business case 

We recently supported Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) CCGs in partnership with South Central West Commissioning Unit (NHS SCWCSU) in the development of their STP plan, LDR and an OBC for a single region-wide interoperability platform, successfully delivering on time.

 Supporting a portfolio of Social 

 Care improvements 

We supported Essex County Council over a range of social care projects over an eighteen-month period on their Electronic Homecare Monitoring project.

 How AI meets social care 

 Legal and commercial 

Produced in association with Socitm Ltd. The third in our series of four guides on 'how AI meets social care', this guide considers how organisations can approach best practice in procuring AI technologies.

 How AI meets social care 

 Introduction 

Produced in association with Socitm Ltd. This guidance addresses four key issues in respect to the adoption of AI technologies in social care; and will be useful for all considering how best to harness the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence.

 Health care credentials 

Explore our work within the health care sector, helping organisations select and deploy trusted, strategic and cost-effective solutions.

 Oracle EBS Options Appraisal 
and Management Consultancy 
Services 

We were asked to provide South Ayrshire Council with consultancy services to support a significant change initiative incorporating systems supporting Finance, Payroll, Procurement, HR and Supporting Services. Initially, we would need to lead an impartial cross-service review over 3 months; to encompass the future and current state, and roadmap.

 Technology Enabled Care... but 
not the technology 

In this report, we will be looking at the things that we’ve observed working with clients and partners since the time of publication. We are seeing common questions and observations emerging that are less about the technology and much more about how to integrate Technology Enabled Care more widely.

 The importance of gender 

 pay gap reporting 

Matt Gascogine

Chief Operations Officer

​

"We are a rapidly growing business of 86 staff and are not obliged to formally report our gender pay gap status. In a “brave” move we have decided to voluntarily report our position from April."

 Getting the most out of 

 video-calling applications 

During lockdown conditions, it's more important than ever that health and social workers are able to communicate appropriately, often via face to face meetings, with the people who need them. We have put together a handy infographic giving some of the best practice guidance for ensuring effective and efficient video-calling.

 Strategic review of adult social 

 care digital strategy and 

 programme 

We completed a strategic review of Norfolk County Council's adult social care to help them achieve in-year savings through digital transformation and investment in Assistive Technology.

 Understanding Adult Social 

 Care digital maturity 

We applied our Digital Maturity Framework to conduct a review of GCC's Adult Social Care digital transformation, and collected evidence through interviews with senior management, a series of workshops focussed on overarching themes, and by reviewing data and project documentation relating to each workstream.

 Preparation for the future, 

 introducing more digital ways 

 of working 

Walsall Council have demonstrated true flexibility and responsiveness to change by successfully delivering the first phase of their major ERP Transformation Programme in July 2020. Discover how we have supported them on this journey.

 Independent review of an 

 electronic homecare 

 monitoring system 

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets had an ongoing and problematic implementation of an Electronic Homecare Monitoring System (EHCM). We supported them with an independent state of stability and workforce satisfaction, and have them a number of solutions.

 Covid-19 Digital & ICT Impact 

 Survey Key Findings 

Over 2,500 staff from 90+ different local authorities have completed our Covid-19 survey. The key findings show that the pandemic has triggered a seismic shift in how we use technology to deliver local services, and some of the challenges and opportunities that come along with this.

 How AI meets social care 

 Professional practice 

Produced in association with Socitm Ltd. The second in our series of four guides on 'how AI meets social care', this guide considers how to address the effects of AI technologies on social care practitioners, their decision-making and service outcomes.

 Getting the most out of video- 

 calling applications 

Covid-19 is placing increased pressures on vulnerable children and adults, while also significantly impacting the way social workers are able to interact with them. We've spoken to a number of services who have recently made the transition to remote applications.

 Social care credentials 

Explore our work within the social care sector, helping organisations select and deploy trusted, strategic and cost-effective solutions.