For full details and to book, click here: Law and Practice of Local Government
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils and combined authorities operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams. The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and to officers with a few years’ experience.
The content is also linked to the Law and Practice module of the ADSO Certificate and so it will help learners with their research for this module.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually via Zoom. To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been divided into two virtual workshops.
The workshops will
- Provide an understanding of the statutory position of local and combined authorities and the main pieces of legislation governing their operation and constitutional arrangements.
- Examine the practical application of this legal framework to the aspects of an authorities’ operation that impact most directly on the democratic services function, including:
- Constitutions, governance arrangements and decision-making under executive arrangements, (elected mayor or leader and cabinet) or a committee system.
- Political proportionality rules.
- Legal provisions relating to members and officer roles; and
- Arrangements to ensure good governance including access to information, transparency and ethical standards.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with colleagues from across the country.
Dates and times
Workshop One: Thursday 6th February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: Thursday 13th February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Please note that you only need to book on 6th February course date to be able to attend both workshops.
For full details and to book, click here: Meetings Procedures
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to further develop their understanding of the legal and governance framework within which councils operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams. The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and officers with a few years’ experience (6 months to 3 years’ experience of supporting meetings as a guide.)
The content is also linked a number of modules especially Law and Practice module and the Structures and Functions of the ADSO Certificate and ADSO Diploma so it will help learners with their research for this module.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually via Zoom, and by the end of the workshop you will:
- Understand how decisions are made and reported and your role in supporting this, both in and out of meetings
- Constitutional issues of meetings- quorums, points of order
- Dealing with motions and voting including amendments, adjournments and deferrals
- Have a sense of how accountability and good governance works in local government, how Councils and Councillors are held to account and the role of scrutiny.
- Understand the rules of debate and consider the impact of politics and what this means for you as an officer of the Council.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.
Date and time
Workshop One: Tuesday 4th February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: Tuesday 11th February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Please note that you only need to book the workshop on 4th February to be able to attend both workshops and attendance is required at both sessions.
For full details and to book, click here: Law and Practice of Local Government
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils and combined authorities operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams. The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and to officers with a few years’ experience.
The content is also linked to the Law and Practice module of the ADSO Certificate and so it will help learners with their research for this module.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually via Zoom. To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been divided into two virtual workshops.
The workshops will
- Provide an understanding of the statutory position of local and combined authorities and the main pieces of legislation governing their operation and constitutional arrangements.
- Examine the practical application of this legal framework to the aspects of an authorities’ operation that impact most directly on the democratic services function, including:
- Constitutions, governance arrangements and decision-making under executive arrangements, (elected mayor or leader and cabinet) or a committee system.
- Political proportionality rules.
- Legal provisions relating to members and officer roles; and
- Arrangements to ensure good governance including access to information, transparency and ethical standards.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with colleagues from across the country.
Dates and times
Workshop One: Thursday 6th February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: Thursday 13th February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Please note that you only need to book on 6th February course date to be able to attend both workshops.
For full detail and to book, click here: Introduction to Health Service Governance
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. 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.
Date and time
Workshop One – Wednesday 26th February 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Workshop Two – Monday 3rd March 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Please note that you only need to book the workshop on 26th February to be able to attend both workshops and attendance is required at both sessions.
For more information, please contact Fiona Rae (fiona.rae@barnet.gov.uk) or Maria Burton (maria.burton@lbhf.gov.uk)
For full detail and to book, click here: Introduction to Health Service Governance
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. 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.
Date and time
Workshop One – Wednesday 26th February 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Workshop Two – Monday 3rd March 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Please note that you only need to book the workshop on 26th February to be able to attend both workshops and attendance is required at both sessions.
For full details and to book, click here: Ethics and Standards
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams. The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and officers with a few years’ experience, who may want to refresh their knowledge on ethics and standards.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually. To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been divided into two virtual workshops.
Workshop 1
- Provide an overview of the Legal Framework
- An overview of the Code of Conduct, together with some case studies
- Committee on Standards in Public Life and LGA – model Code of Conduct
- What the law says about Members’ Interests, together various case studies regarding Members’ Interests
- Dispensations from the Monitoring Officer
Workshop 2
- Provide a short recap of the learning from Workshop 1
- An overview of the Standards Committees
- Explanation of Independent Persons and their role
- Details about complaints, Investigations and Standards Hearings, together with various case studies around complaints
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country. This will also provide great opportunity for delegates to network and share contact details with each other for future reference and information sharing.
Dates and times
Workshop One – Wednesday 5th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two – Wednesday 12th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 5th March course date to be able to attend both workshops.
For full details and to express interest, please visit:
Express your interest in our training for Deputy Monitoring Officers
For full details and to book, click here: Ethics and Standards
Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams. The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and officers with a few years’ experience, who may want to refresh their knowledge on ethics and standards.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually. To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been divided into two virtual workshops.
Workshop 1
- Provide an overview of the Legal Framework
- An overview of the Code of Conduct, together with some case studies
- Committee on Standards in Public Life and LGA – model Code of Conduct
- What the law says about Members’ Interests, together various case studies regarding Members’ Interests
- Dispensations from the Monitoring Officer
Workshop 2
- Provide a short recap of the learning from Workshop 1
- An overview of the Standards Committees
- Explanation of Independent Persons and their role
- Details about complaints, Investigations and Standards Hearings, together with various case studies around complaints
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country. This will also provide great opportunity for delegates to network and share contact details with each other for future reference and information sharing.
Dates and times
Workshop One – Wednesday 5th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two – Wednesday 12th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 5th March course date to be able to attend both workshops.