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.
For full details and to book, click here: Working in a Political Environment
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 are designed to be interactive and include a lot of smaller group working and case studies. Participants are encouraged to take an active part in the course and to learn from the experiences of other delegates from across the country.
Dates and times
Workshop One – Tuesday 18th March 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Workshop Two – Tuesday 25th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 18th March course date to be able to attend both workshops.
For full details and to book, click here: Becoming a Democratic Services Officer – An Introduction
Audience
This course is aimed at newly appointed Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of their role. Specifically designed for those taking their first steps into the world of Democratic Services, this course is aimed at those in the first twelve weeks of starting.
How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually, and by the end of the workshop you will:
- Understand what a local Council is and how it is funded.
- Know the different types of local Council and what services they provide.
- Understand how decisions are made and your role in supporting this, both in and out of meetings
- Have a sense of how accountability works in local government, how Councils and Councillors are held to account and the role of scrutiny.
- Have considered how the political environment of your workplace affects your role and makes it unique.
The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with colleagues from across the country.
Date and time
Thursday 20th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
For full details and to book, click here: Working in a Political Environment
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 are designed to be interactive and include a lot of smaller group working and case studies. Participants are encouraged to take an active part in the course and to learn from the experiences of other delegates from across the country.
Dates and times
Workshop One – Tuesday 18th March 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Workshop Two – Tuesday 25th March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book on 18th March course date to be able to attend both workshops.
This course will be open for bookings on 3rd March 2025.
This course will be open for bookings on 3 March 2025.
This course will be open for bookings on 3rd March 2025.
This course will be open for bookings on 3 March 2025.