Key topic areas covered include: Communications and IT & Digital Services.

Implementing Digital Tools to Improve Resident Engagement

In 2022, 65% of complaints brought to the Housing Ombudsman were found to have maladministration. In this video, Jane Porter, Chief Operating Officer of Optivo discusses the benefit of digital tools in housing association and how reviewing their complaints services has improved the engagement they have from residents.

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Outlining the Long-term Effects of Image-based Abuse and its Impact on Victim’s Lives

Between 2020 and 2022, over 60,000 pieces of sexual content were reported to the Revenge Porn Helpline. In this video Folami Prehaye, Founder of Victims of Image Based Crime shares her own experiences of image based abuse and highlights both long and short term impacts on victims to illustrate how organisations can provide trauma-informed support.

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Reducing Reoffending Rates Through Digital Inclusion

In 2021, adult offenders in the UK had a proven reoffending rate of 24%, according to the Ministry of Justice. In this article, Leeds City Council share the impacts of the 100% Digital Leeds programme on prison leavers and how the programme has helped improve their real-life digital skills.

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Fixing the Digital Divide to Decrease Health Inequalities

1.5 million households in the UK do not have internet access. Dr Emma Stone, Director of Evidence and Engagement at the Good Things Foundation discusses the impacts of the digital divide on health inequalities and how local authorities can help relieve the pressure on volunteer organisations with helping individuals have online access.

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Co-Producing Direct Payments that Work for Everyone in Adult Social Care

With £5.4 billion of revenue from the new Health and Social Care Levy going towards social care reforms, there is renewed funding for local authorities to meet demands in adult social care. Kirklees Council share how they have implemented co-produced direct payments to support carers and those in care.

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Combatting the Challenge of Gambling Harms

Around 7% of the population are found to be negatively affected by someone else’s gambling, according to the 2021 Public Health England review. In this article Paul Dent, Strategic Engagement Lead at Gordon Moody, discusses the current landscape of gambling and the challenges organisations face when supporting problem gamblers.

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The Cybercrime Awareness Clinic: Lessons in Training Individuals within the Organisation to Become More Cyber-Aware 

Between 2021 and 2022, 39% of UK businesses identified cyber attacks on their businesses, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022. Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, a Reader in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity at the University of Portsmouth discusses the Cybercrime Awareness Clinic they have in place at the university to support stakeholders and businesses, educating them on the challenges of cybercrime.

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Developing a Holistic Response to Emerging Cyber Crime

It is estimated that more than 90% of reported crime now has a digital element, according to the Policing Digital Strategy 2020-2030. DI Chris White, Head of Cyber and Innovation at the South East Cyber Resilience Centre discusses the importance of engaging with youth and intervening early to prevent cybercrimes when they are on the pathway to committing them.

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Supporting Digital Skills and Reducing Social Isolation Amongst Older People

Around 3.3 million people reported feeling chronically lonely in 2022, according to research from the campaign to end loneliness. Laura Joplin, Head of Impact at Reengage, discusses the challenges digital exclusion poses for adult loneliness and the measures Re-engage have deployed to reduce isolation.

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In Conversation: Creating Better Diversity Policies in the Voluntary Sector

Implementing core diversity policies in the voluntary sector is essential in creating inclusive and representative workplaces and services. We invited three champions of diversity and inclusion in the sector to discuss the topic.

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Tech in Local Government: Overcoming Digital Poverty and Supporting the Economy

The ONS and Ofcom have ranked Devon as the UK’s sixth worst place for digital connectivity. Cllr Neil Jory of West Devon Borough Council shared the council’s methods for improving efficient broadband installation services to tackle digital poverty in the area.

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Tech in Local Government: How to Practically Embed Intelligent Automation

Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) is a tool that can be used to eliminate tedious tasks, freeing workers to focus on higher value work. Keith McDdowell, RPA Manager at Norfolk County Council shared how RPA has enhanced workflow, and how it can be incorporated into other public services.

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