Introduction
The sector is waking up to the importance of information standards, without which we would struggle to communicate and work effectively. Data 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 2025-26 programme for iStandUK will be the continued delivery and roll out of the Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability (SAVVI) project. This is a Local Digital funded project by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), and aims to propose adopted national data standards that improve a locality’s ability to make use of data to find and support vulnerable people and households.
Priorities and Objectives for 2025-26
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.
Digital Capabilitie: 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. SAVVI, which stands for Scalable Approach to Vulnerability Via Interoperability, is a transformative approach that enables councils and their partners to proactively identify and support vulnerable people before they reach crisis point; not just when they’re facing the consequences.
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
Alistair Herbert, East Sussex Council
Andrea Fitzgerald, Crown Commercial Services (CCS)
Ben Cheetham, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
Dave Sanderson, Society for Innovation Technology and Modernisation (SOCITM)
David Wright, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Emma Smith, Department of Education
Emily Sullivan, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
Firoze Salim, Data Standards Authority (DSIT), (GDS)
George Russell, Department of Health & Social Care
Georgina Maretheftis, techUK
John Curtis, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Kate Cooper, Local Government Association (LGA)
Lewis Greenwood, Wigan Council
Mair Laurence- Mathews, Department of Health and Social Care
Mark Peterson, North Yorkshire Council
Paul Davidson, iStandUK (Tameside MBC)
Phil Swan, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) (Chair)
Ridhwaan Hafezji, Tameside MBC
Scott Littlewood, Tameside MBC
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 and Local Government (MHCLG)
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.