“You are a casework officer in an MP’s office”…

Standard

Interest in and use of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT and Policy Mogul‘s AI Assistant continues to grow, and more and more staff members will have access to these services on their computers, tablets and phones. So far everything you read on w4mp is ‘generated by real people’ but who knows what’s coming next…

The Parliamentary Digital Service now offers a range of resources about for Members of both Houses and their staff. This includes newly created guidance on the use of AI, opportunities to learn more about AI, and information about Microsoft’s AI tool, Copilot.

The guidance, which has been considered by the House of Commons Administration Committee and House of Lords Services Committee, is intended to be a source of advice for those who wish to use AI to do so safely. It will be regularly reviewed and updated as required, so please keep an eye out for updates on ParliNet.

A version of Microsoft’s Copilot is available to all Parliamentary account holders. When you are logged into Copilot (https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat/) with your Parliamentary account, this version applies the same data security as other tools provided for you through Microsoft 365. Please see page 10-11 in the AI Guidance for Members regarding the use of generative AI tools.

Resources and opportunities to learn more about AI are available on the AI resources for Members ParliNet page. PDS is also organising a number of seminars in conjunction with the Libraries of both Houses and you can register your interest by clicking the link within this page.

Read the report (on ParliNet) or pick up a printed copy from the Hub.

Full Fact: January Caseworker Discussion Forum

Standard

The guest speakers at the January Caseworker Discussion Forum will be from Full Fact, the fact checkers and campaigners who find, expose and counter the harm done by bad information.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 16 January 2024
Location: Online via MS Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953

Read more about Full Fact here: https://fullfact.org/about/

Training:  Staying safe and secure across Meta technologies

Standard

Meta are hosting a virtual training for MPs and their staffers to showcase the tools they can use to stay safe and secure across Meta technologies next week Friday 6th Dec at 10h00.  As part of this training, they will also cover Meta Support Pros, a dedicated support service to address operational and technical issues as well as address product questions.  

  • Time: 10:00 – 11:00
  • Date:  Friday 6 December 2024
  • Format: Virtual

To book please RSVP to this event link

Behaviour Code Training for MPs’ Staff

Standard

This training is essential for all MPs staff, and it is booked up many weeks in advance.

Please do book on to the first available course here: Course: Behaviour Code – Why it matters for all new Members’ Staff.

The Behaviour Code outlines clear guidelines on how you should be treated, and how you should treat others.

These guidelines apply to everyone who visits and works in Parliament.  

You should:

  • Respect and value everyone – bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct are not tolerated
  • Recognise your power, influence or authority and don’t abuse them
  • Think about how your behaviour affects others and strive to understand their perspective
  • Act professionally towards others
  • Ensure Parliament meets the highest ethical standards of integrity, courtesy and mutual respect
  • Speak up about any unacceptable behaviour you see

Unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with seriously, independently and with effective sanctions.

Refugee Resettlement to the UK: How does it work?

Standard

A training session provided by the House of Commons, aimed at Member’s staff caseworkers.

Time: 15:00 – 16:30
Date: Tuesday 10 December 2024
Location: Online
Booking essential – https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1918

Casework and correspondence to MPs from resettled refugees in constituencies across the UK has grown in recent years as the number of resettled refugees arriving in the UK has increased, as has the number of constituencies hosting them. This increase was primarily a result of the launch of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) that ran from 2014-2021 and resettled over 20,000 refugees across the UK. The first large scale resettlement programme to the UK in decades.

The VPRS’ successor: the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) continues to resettle refugees across the UK, and Pathway 2 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) has also been established.

An understanding of what refugee resettlement is, how it works and the rights refugees arriving will enjoy will be of crucial importance to MP’s offices when responding to correspondence. This training is intended to support caseworkers and parliamentary researchers with significant experience already, as well as those who are new to this policy area.

The training will cover:

  • Introduction to refugee resettlement and the global context
  • Step by step run through of resettlement to the UK
  • UNHCR procedures abroad
  • Resettlement Submission Categories
  • The UK’s resettlement programmes: The UK Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
  • Key differences between resettlement and other pathways for refugees like family reunion.

Men’s Health Awareness stall

Standard

10:30 – 15:30 on Tuesday 26 November 2024

To mark Men’s Health Awareness Month, the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service (PHWS) and Parligender have partnered together with Andy’s Man Club and Prostate Cancer UK.

Andy’s Man Club are a charity who raise awareness for men’s mental health by facilitating groups all across the UK and Prostate Cancer UK are one of the UK’s most well-known charities who raise awareness for Prostate Cancer. 

Visit the stall in Portcullis House between 10:30am – 3:30pm to meet representatives of Andy’s Man Club and Prostate Cancer UK along with PHWS staff. 

There will also be a Men’s Health Awareness workshop at 1pm. 

For further information please visit this page on Parlinet: https://parlinet.parliament.uk/events/2024/november/mens-health-awareness-stall/

Webinar: Introduction to PolicyMogul for Parliamentary Users

Standard

Time: 12:00
Date: Wednesday 27 November 2024

This online webinar is your chance to learn about the value that PolicyMogul provides for MPs, peers and parliamentary staff.

As well as an overview of the platform’s features, we will highlight some best practices related to getting the most out of the platform. Session includes Q&A.

PolicyMogul is the essential online tool used by UK parliamentarians and their teams to stay up to date with the latest political updates and intelligence related to their work and responsibilities.

For full details and to register, please visit https://about.policymogul.com/parliament/