ICT and Digital

“Using the latest technologies to improve outcomes for people in Somerset”

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ICT and Digital at the council

Let’s start with the big one. For everyone here in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and that’s well over 100 of us now, it’s about people. How we can use the latest technology to make people’s lives better.

ICT touches every single service area of the council – and everyone who works with us. It enables our people to be better connected, make decisions based on real-time information, and use the latest technologies like our AV1 robots in classrooms to genuinely improve outcomes for people in Somerset. We’re not a nine-to-five, back-office support function. We’re front-and-centre within the council. Our Chief Executive and Leadership team recognise just how central ICT is to the Council’s wider transformation journey.

The importance of digital to the council

Chatbots to answer questions on your wellbeing. VR headsets to help adults suffering from dementia. New devices and tools to help our people work better and smarter and more flexibly. Of course, they’re just three examples of the work we’re doing right now. Tomorrow? Well, that’s where you come in.

Developing your skills

The pace here might surprise you. Technology is developing at an unprecedented pace. We need to work at speed, with energy, collaboratively. And that’s why, as well as the technical training you need to keep up with tech developments, we look at the softer skills too, through emotional and behavioural training. Because it’s not the technology that makes the difference; it’s the people working with it.

Featured job

User Researcher

ICT and Digital - Taunton

Key purpose of the role… We are looking for an experienced User Researcher with strong interpersonal skills to work directly with local people of all ages, communities and professionals across the county…

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"The council is full of supportive colleagues who encourage you to try your best. I really enjoyed building close working relationships with colleagues across the council. They’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and every colleague's skillset and background is valued."

"The council offer flexible working and really trust their colleagues to work from home. Management is supportive and avoids resorting to without micro-managing. There are opportunities to develop with managers keen to support your career progression."

"Despite funding cuts, the council are working hard to ensure these cuts don't affect its communities. The organisation are open to new ideas. There is a continuing change programme with plenty of opportunity to develop yourself and your career."

"Salaries aren't as high as private sector, but the great benefits package does make up for that. The council offer flexible working and lots of opportunity to build a long-term career in an ever changing government organisation. If you like the challenge of continuous change, this could be the place for you."

"If feel that my work for the council is hugely valuable. That I am supporting some incredibly important services. The organisation is forward-thinking in terms of ways of working, offering good technology and working-from-home benefits, all underpinned by an understanding management culture."

"The council is a good place to work if you want to work part time. You have access to ongoing learning. Management on the whole is good. Everyone works very hard, focused on doing something worthwhile and helping professionals, and keen to demonstrate that they are offering good value for money."

"Working for the council is challenging and stimulating. Social Care is difficult but rewarding when the quality of the service can be maintained. There is a genuine culture of reward for hard work. Social Care is a changing and evolving service, and the council has a dynamic reputation."

"The council is a great place to work with lots of room to progress. They provide lots of training and you’re always kept up to date with additional training. I’ve learned a lot in my time here and really enjoy the reasonability that I am given."

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

ICT and Digital

ICT and Digital at the council

The importance of digital to the council

Developing your skills

Featured job

User Researcher

Latest jobs

Inside the council

Collaboration, hard work & team spirit – how we opened 2 new pop up care homes for Covid-19

Chloe Latham

Shakira James