In this episode, we discuss how North Lanarkshire Council has successfully utilised Helping Hands, the Vulnerable Persons Contact Management solution developed by Agilisys in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Helping Hands, which is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, enables authorities to track both outreach to the ‘vulnerable persons list’ that the NHS has produced and the specific needs of any citizen within its area – and has been adopted by councils up and down the country. Crucially, it also brings together organisations from healthcare and the third sector, with local authorities.

In this podcast we find out:

• 
  
• Why North Lanarkshire Council opted for Helping Hands to help it deal with the Covid-19 crisis
  
• The features of the solution that really stood out
  
• How it has enabled the council to deliver essential services to the most at risk citizens through the period of lockdown and beyond
  
• How Helping Hands has evolved, and the role North Lanarkshire Council has played in this evolution
  
• The value of multiple authorities working together
  
• Why Helping Hands will continue to prove valuable as the authority moves into recovery phase and beyond?
  

Susan Cloke

Susan Cloke has worked in local government for 35 years in a range of roles, originally training as a planner before moving into regeneration policy and then corporate and community planning. Susan is currently based within the Chief Executive's Office and leads the business intelligence function within the Business Solutions Team in North Lanarkshire Council, taking responsibility for the corporate intelligence function linked to business planning, improvement and performance. Susan also provides strategic support to the Children's Services Partnership and the Community Justice Partnership and supports the development and delivery of the Council's improvement programme. Outside work Susan is an avid Glasgow Warriors and Scotland rugby supporter, as well as a keen gardener.

Linda Johnston

As the Business Strategy Manager at North Lanarkshire Council, Linda has extensive experience of change and transformation programmes, redesigning public sector services to meet the varying needs of service users and communities. Linda has chaired national policy groups and has delivered high profile events including the Commonwealth Games 2014 and European Championships 2018. Currently leading the council’s digital change programme, at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, Linda led the strategic discussions to source a solution to support the needs of the communities across North Lanarkshire and to support other councils in their quest for similar support mechanisms.

James Stevenson

James Stevenson is Managing Consultant and Head of Business Development for Scotland at Agilisys. An experienced C-level business professional with a track-record of developing and implementing high value, multi-phased, multi-location contracts across the public sector, James has wide ranging experience of software development, systems roll-out, ongoing support and service functions, cradle-to-grave IT outsourcing and the development of new applications and IP rights.

Austin Clark

Austin Clark is an experienced content writer and journalist specialising in organisational transformation and digital solutions, specifically in local government and healthcare.

Austin is former editor of GovTech Leaders (DigitalbyDefault) and has written features, hosted podcasts and presented events for numerous leading public sector titles during a 20-year career.