Stockport Council a finalist for 3 iNetwork Awards 2023

As a radically digital borough, Stockport Council is pleased to announce that, following a public vote, we have been shortlisted as finalists in 3 categories.

First up, we’re a finalist in the Connected Procurement and Commissioning category, for our work with partners to develop the Stockport Prevention Hub. The multi-agency hub partnership uses shared IT systems to streamline working practices, remove the IT barriers to partnership working and ultimately get people the right help, when they most need it.

In the 9 months since its conception, the Support Hub has received 4255 referrals, with almost 1400 people being referred on to 73 core organisations, and is the ‘go to’ place for wellbeing support in Stockport. The shared IT system allows residents to access the help they need in a timely and efficient way. Read more about this submission here.

The second award we are a finalist for is in the iStand UK category, and details how we are enabling smarter working through a strategic approach to data. At Stockport Council, we believe data is a key ingredient for smarter working, and is our second biggest asset, after our people. Our Data Strategy published in the autumn of 2021 detailed our aim to use data to support our Digital Strategy.

We have already pioneered several data-led projects such as the Family Context Tool, which saves social workers an average of 2 hours per referral, allowing them to spend more time with families and helping ensure the children get the right support.

In our mission to be more transparent with our data, we’ve also created the open data portal, the Big Stockport Picture, which allows our partners to use and access valuable data to inform key decision-making. It’s these examples which have earned us the place as a finalist for the iStandUK award. Read our full awards submission here.

Finally, we are also a finalist for the ‘Transforming and Innovating Public Services’ award, for our DigiKnow Alliance. DigiKnow aims to get everyone in Stockport online by focussing on data, devices and skills. Our investment in digital inclusion helps to create a fair and digitally included Stockport where everyone has equal opportunity, and no one is left behind. Digital Inclusion is an overarching theme which links to all of our One Stockport Borough Plan priorities. Find out more about our DigiKnow work by reading the submission.

Councillor Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Stockport Council, commented: “I’m delighted to have so much of our digital innovation work recognised on a national level by being shortlisted as finalists in 3 iNetwork Awards categories. This is a great opportunity to recognise and showcase our commitment to data and digital solutions which demonstrates the hard work of Council Officers and the wider DigiKnow partnership, with its dedicated volunteers. By using innovative technologies to improve services for our residents and everyone who spends time in Stockport, we will continue to put partnership working at the heart of what we do, to improve the lives of residents across the borough. Thanks to everyone who voted for us at the shortlist stage. Fingers crossed we take home one of the top awards!”

For more information and to see all finalists visit the iNetwork awards website.