Introduction
The sector is waking up to the importance of information standards, without which we would struggle to communicate and work effectively. Standards are there to help with public sector service reform and change. iStandUK is part of the iNetwork family. It is a programme that has its own governing board and like iNetwork, the accountable body is Tameside Council.
Our mission is to promote Data Standards that support efficiency, transformation and transparency of local public services in the UK. Our steering board includes representatives from local authorities, government departments and other representative groups, such as the LGA, SOCITM and TechUK.
A key focus of the 2023-24 programme for iStandUK will be the delivery of the third phase of the Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability (SAVVI) project. This is a Local Digital funded project by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and aims to propose adopted national data standards that improve a locality’s ability to make use of data to support vulnerable people and households.
Priorities and Objectives for 2023-24
Promoting Standards and Secure Data Sharing: iStandUK will support data sharing scenarios such as a ‘single view’ of vulnerable people and households. This will include standards for data, APIs, Information Governance, and trusted networks, as well as working with key data sources to make data available for re-use.
Working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG): iStandUK will work with partners and Departments to define a set of digital capabilities such as Digital Identity. Standards for these Capabilities will create choice and innovation for digital products and services.
iStandUK has now launched its new project SAVVI.
The iStandUK Executive Board
The iStandUK Executive Board consists of iStandUK members who are leading practitioners in their field. The board serves as both a programme board and a leadership forum for collaboration across the local public sector. The members for the iStandUK Executive Board are:
iStandUK Executive Board Members
Ben Cheetham, Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
David Wright, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Firoze Salim, Data Standards Authority (DSA), Cabinet Office
Georgina Maratheftis, TechUK
Heather Green, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (TMBC)
Jason Geldard-Phillips, North Yorkshire County Council
John Curtis, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Mark Peterson, North Yorkshire County Council
Martin Ferguson, Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (SOCITM)
Nicholas Oughtibridge, NHS Digital
Phil Swan, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) (Chair)
Shelley Heckman, iNetwork
Shona Nicol, The Scottish Government
Simon Roberts, Improvement Service
Stephen Curtis, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Steve Peters, Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
Tim Adams, Local Government Association (LGA) (Deputy Chair)
Toby Hayward-Butcher, Ministry of Justice
Programme Director & Director of Standards
Paul Davidson
iStandUK Programme Director
Director of Standards
For advice, guidance and support in this area, please contact the lead for the iStandUK programme.