When it comes to participation in local government, many of the people we need to hear from are likely to experience aspects of their participation in local decision-making as disabling.
The first part of this talk considers the benefits of designing for accessibility and illustrates some of the ways that, historically speaking, these processes have not been designed for everyone. The second part proposes practical approaches and resources for governance professionals seeking to provide more accessible spaces and information for participants.
This Webinar provides an introduction to:
- What is meant by accessibility and universal design in an English local government context
- The importance of accessibility in public meetings and information design
- Steps DSOs and governance professionals can take toward more accessible public meetings and information, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and the WCAG 2.0
The webinar will be particularly suitable for Democratic Services Officers (DSOs) and governance professionals who:
- have a stake in how meetings are run and how information is received by decision-makers and participants
- want to support full participation of councillors and members of the public in their civic roles and processes
Our speaker is Katherine Harclerode, a Governance Advisor specializing in Overview and Scrutiny at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. She has an academic background and became passionate about disability rights whilst studying bodily rhetorics and representations and pedagogy as part of her Masters studies. Her penchant for usability and good design was sharpened through her past work as a Freelance Technical Communicator. Katherine has also been an ADSO Regional Representative since 2020.
To book, click on the following link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8694719582685503063
Please note that you will need to be able to login in to GoTo webinar in order to access the webinar. If you are logging in from your workplace, you will need to ensure that GoTo has not been blocked by your organisation. Otherwise, you can log on from your mobile.
This webinar is sponsored by VP-AV Limited https://vp-av.co.uk/
VP-AV will deliver a comprehensive service to enable your Council to communicate effectively and manage your meetings. Our audio-visual technology will allow you to: Engage – Communicate – Collaborate
To explain how we achieve these and share the knowledge of what is now available to make it much easier to operate at less cost to stream your Hybrid meetings, VP-AV are planning a series of localised seminars/open days so please get in touch to find out where and when.
Explained in a “non-techy” way we will be covering, but not limited to, the following:
- Sustainable Streaming: web-streaming of Council meetings to social media
- Lower cost of ownership: without compromising features and functions
- Conference Systems – which one best suit your needs: explaining voting, ID registration and automated camera tracking
- Audio: explaining speech intelligibility and the changes in assistive listening
- Automation and self-publishing: See how streaming and Hybrid has become much easier.
Leading on the new shift towards sustainable streaming and Council Chamber AV Hybrid solutions, we have the integration know-how.
Please contact us to explore what’s available to find out more about our forthcoming education days: Info@vp-av.co.uk or 01264 723400
Please contact Mel Harris Mel.Harris@wychavon.gov.uk or Matt Berry mattberry@cannockchasedc.gov.uk for more information.
ADSO is hosting the interactive, virtual course ‘Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice’ in November 2023. Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually. Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers, or those who work in corporate roles in other sectors, who wish to develop their understanding of the role of the company secretary, the work it does and the other roles with which it interacts.
The target audience is experienced democratic and corporate services professionals who are either involved in local authority companies or other corporations, or who are interested in being so in the future.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually. To maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops on the following dates:
Workshop 1: Wednesday 1 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Workshop 2: Wednesday 8 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
The workshops will explore:
- What is a company and why one would be set up
- The different roles on a company’s board
- The governance frameworks associated with companies and why some companies have failed in the past
- The elements of effective company boards
- The role of the company secretary
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with other people from across the country.
Delegates are required to attend both workshops.
Cost
- ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
- Non-ADSO Member rate – £160+ VAT per person to attend the course
ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please email adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk if you wish to be allocated a learner place.
How to book a place
Bookings will open on 1st August 2023.
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below. Please note that you only need to book a place on 1 November to attend both workshops. The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Introduction-to-Company-Secretarial-Practice/80295
Booking requirements
- A purchase order number is required for all bookings. Please make the PO out to ADSO.
- A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
- Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.
In May 2023, the Government released an amended version of the code on school suspensions and permanent exclusions effective from 1 September 2023: Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from Maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement. This webinar will highlight any changes in the amended version of the code to encourage a standardised approach in schools and hopefully ensure good practice as a result.
Our speakers are Ann Coldicott, Democratic Services Manager at Essex County Council and Jill Thwaites and Lindsey Atkinson who work as Independent Clerks.
The presentation aims to give participants a better understanding of the amended code and what is required following a permanent exclusion leading to an Independent Review Hearing. It is particularly suitable for Democratic Services Officers who manage, organise or clerk Independent Review Panel (IRP) hearings as well as Panel Members i.e. serving Headteachers, lay Chairs or Governors.
Our webinar is sponsored by FCS Software Solutions Ltd https://fcssoftware.co.uk/ specialists in the development of web-based software for local authorities including AppealsPro, a suite of secure, web-based applications that have been designed to manage school admission, exclusion, and transport appeals across all schools and key stages.
AppealsPro puts all of the appeals data at your fingertips in a secure environment and removes the need for multiple spreadsheets and the traditional bundles of paper and post-it notes.
With parent and school portals for the submission and sharing of information and evidence, automatic generation of appeal letters and packs, automated appeal scheduling, appeal cost calculations and generation of the DofE report, you’ll wonder how you ever managed before AppealsPro.
To book, click on the following link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3462236103325197146
Please note that you will need to be able to login in to GoTo webinar in order to access the webinar. If you are logging in from your workplace, you will need to ensure that GoTo has not been blocked by your organisation. Otherwise, you can log on from your mobile.
ADSO is hosting the interactive, virtual course ‘Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice’ in November 2023. Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually. Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers, or those who work in corporate roles in other sectors, who wish to develop their understanding of the role of the company secretary, the work it does and the other roles with which it interacts.
The target audience is experienced democratic and corporate services professionals who are either involved in local authority companies or other corporations, or who are interested in being so in the future.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually. To maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops on the following dates:
Workshop 1: Wednesday 1 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Workshop 2: Wednesday 8 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
The workshops will explore:
- What is a company and why one would be set up
- The different roles on a company’s board
- The governance frameworks associated with companies and why some companies have failed in the past
- The elements of effective company boards
- The role of the company secretary
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with other people from across the country.
Delegates are required to attend both workshops.
Cost
- ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
- Non-ADSO Member rate – £160+ VAT per person to attend the course
ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please email adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk if you wish to be allocated a learner place.
How to book a place
Bookings will open on 1st August 2023.
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below. Please note that you only need to book a place on 1 November to attend both workshops. The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Introduction-to-Company-Secretarial-Practice/80295
Booking requirements
- A purchase order number is required for all bookings. Please make the PO out to ADSO.
- A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
- Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.
ADSO is hosting the highly popular, virtual course ‘Just a Minute’. Just a Minute will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually. Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who are required to take minutes of meetings. The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years experience.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.
This workshop aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to write a local government minute, including:
- An understanding of the law relating to local government minutes
- Tips and good practice for local government minute writing
- An awareness of the different minutes styles used for different types of meetings
- The opportunity to apply your knowledge in practical exercises and case studies with colleagues from other local authorities.
You will need to bring pen and paper, or laptop, or your own preferred minute writing medium!
Trainer
The workshop will be delivered by Julia Cleary, Head of Governance and Corporate Support at the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Date and time
Workshop One: Thursday 9 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Workshop Two: Wednesday 15 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 9 November course date to be able to attend both workshops.
Cost
- ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
- Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course
How to book a place – please note that bookings open on 1st August 2023
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Just-a-Minute-/80622
Terms and Conditions of booking can be found here.
Booking requirements
- A purchase order number is required for all bookings. Please make the PO out to ADSO.
- A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
- Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.
ADSO is hosting an interactive, virtual course ‘Introduction to Health Service Governance’ on 13th and 20th November 2023. This will be delivered as two, three hour virtual workshops held via Zoom with delegates being required to attend both workshops from 9.30am – 12.30pm.
Audience
- Are you currently in the NHS working at bands 5-8?
- Or are you working in local government with health scrutiny committees or keen to explore a career in the NHS?
Benefits
If so, this course will help you understand the key questions, drivers and decisions driving health service governance aiding working together. It will also demonstrate how your local authority governance skills can be applied in another setting to aid career development.
Content
The workshops will provide an overview of NHS governance including:
- Its structure and functions
- The law and guidance that surrounds it
- How leadership and culture are vital to its success
- The roles and responsibilities of an NHS board
- The difference (and similarities) between the NHS and local government
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with other people from across the country.
Trainers
The virtual workshops will be led by two experienced NHS governance professionals and former Democratic Services Managers in local government:
- John Thorpe, Foundation Trust Secretary at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and formerly Democratic Services Manager at Leicester City Council.
- Matthew Kane, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and formerly Governance Manager/Deputy Monitoring Officer at two district councils in north Derbyshire.
Date and time
Part One – Monday 13 November 2023, 09:30-12:30
Part Two – Monday 20 November 2023, 09:30-12:30
Cost
- ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
- Non-ADSO Member rate – £160+ VAT per person to attend the course
ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please email adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk if you wish to be allocated a learner place.
How to book a place
Bookings will open on 1st August 2023
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below. Our booking Terms and conditions apply
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO-%E2%80%93-Introduction-to-Health-Service-Governance/80655
Booking requirements
- A purchase order number is required for all bookings. Please make the PO out to ADSO.
- A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
- Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.
ADSO is hosting the highly popular, virtual course ‘Just a Minute’. Just a Minute will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually. Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who are required to take minutes of meetings. The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years experience.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.
This workshop aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to write a local government minute, including:
- An understanding of the law relating to local government minutes
- Tips and good practice for local government minute writing
- An awareness of the different minutes styles used for different types of meetings
- The opportunity to apply your knowledge in practical exercises and case studies with colleagues from other local authorities.
You will need to bring pen and paper, or laptop, or your own preferred minute writing medium!
Trainer
The workshop will be delivered by Julia Cleary, Head of Governance and Corporate Support at the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Date and time
Workshop One: Thursday 9 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Workshop Two: Wednesday 15 November 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 9 November course date to be able to attend both workshops.
Cost
- ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
- Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course
How to book a place – please note that bookings open on 1st August 2023
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Just-a-Minute-/80622
Terms and Conditions of booking can be found here.
Booking requirements
- A purchase order number is required for all bookings. Please make the PO out to ADSO.
- A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
- Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.
The meetings run from 09:30 to 12.:00 (approx) and are currently held on Teams.
Anyone who would like an invitation should contact Louise deCordova Hayley Caves or Heather Rae
ADSO is hosting the interactive, virtual course ‘Working in a Political Environment’. This will be delivered as two,3 hour workshops held virtually via Zoom. Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to work more effectively with elected members. The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years experience.
The content is also linked to Module 6, Members and Officers in Local Government, of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.
The workshops will seek to:
- Explore and better understand the differences between the roles and responsibilities of elected members and officers.
- Examine the legal, constitutional and procedural framework regulating the conduct of members and officers.
- Enhance your understanding of the political environment around you.
- Develop your knowledge and skills of how to operate effectively in a political environment.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.
Trainer
The virtual workshops will be led by Michael Robson. Michael has worked in the Democratic Services Team at North Tyneside Council for over 30 years. During this time Michael has supported a wide variety of democratic functions, including a period as a scrutiny officer. Michael’s current responsibilities include planning and scrutiny committees, the health & wellbeing board and school admission appeals. Since electing its first Mayor in 2002, North Tyneside has experienced significant periods of political turbulence, particularly when the Council and its overview and scrutiny committees were controlled by the opposing group to the Elected Mayor.
Michael serves on the ADSO Board as the Regional Representative for the North East. As well as a trainer, Michael is also a qualified A1 Assessor working with learners undertaking the Certificate In Democratic Services Knowledge.
Date and time
Workshop One – Thursday 16 November 2023, 09:30-12:30
Workshop Two – Wednesday 22 November 2023, 09:30-12:30
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 16 Nov course date to be able to attend both workshops.
Cost
- ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
- Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course
ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please email adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk if you wish to be allocated a learner place.
How to book a place
Bookings will open on 1st August 2023
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below. The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Working-in-a-Political-Environment/80328
Booking requirements
- A purchase order number is required for all bookings. Please make the PO out to ADSO.
- A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
- Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.