learning

The Staff Room

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Next Wednesday (27 Nov) The House magazine will publish the first edition of a new bi-weekly newsletter, The Staff Room, written by and for MPs’ staff. It will meet the increasing professionalisation needs of its audience; you’ll learn how to support MPs with parliamentary duties, get training and career development tips, manage offices, use parliamentary facilities and much more. 

However, it won’t just be work, work, work: those who sign up will also get invitations to exclusive events in Westminster and guidance on the best places to eat, drink and network around SW1. Sign up here.

Webinar: Introduction to PolicyMogul for Parliamentary Users

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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/

How to become a Member of the Scottish Parliament

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An Online Workshop with Elect Her On Wednesday 27th November

Join our workshop to help you prepare to stand in 2026. You’ll also hear from current politicians – on what it is like to stand, win and be an MSP!

We are grateful to have Roz McCall MSP, Scottish Conservative, and Gillian MacKay MSP, Scottish Greens, and also for the evening session Emma Roddick MSP, of the SNP’s, and Carol Mochan MSP, of Scottish Labour.

“How to become a Member of the Scottish Parliament”

On 27th November

We are running the event at both – 12pm and 7pm – choose the time that works for you!

Registration: https://learning.elect-her.org.uk/registration-page-ce870d33-a60c-40bc-95f3-3895e4792422

How to be a Member of the Senedd

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An Online Workshop with Elect Her On Wednesday 20th November

We are running the event at both – 12pm and 7pm – so choose the time that works for you!

At 12pm – 13.30pm – we’ll be joined by Natasha Asghar MS, and Sioned Williams MS.
At 7pm – 8.30pm – we’ll be joined by Jane Dodds MS, and Hannah Blythyn MS!

Whether you are new to politics, already planning to stand, or in the dark and wanting to know more, then this session is for you.

Registration: https://learning.elect-her.org.uk/registration-page-1

Bank of England Briefing Session

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The Bank or England invites parliamentary staffers into the Bank of England for a briefing session, covering the Bank’s main policy areas.

The event will take place in the Bank’s offices on Threadneedle Street, and will consist of talks and Q&A sessions with Bank staff on their areas of expertise.

Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Date: Friday 10 January 2025
Venue: Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH

To register, please email [email protected] from your parliamentary email address.

The Open University Westminster Showcase

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Invitation for Parliamentary Staff

The Open University Westminster Showcase

Thursday 14 November, 1.15-3pm (drop in at any time)
Attlee Suite, Portcullis House

Dear all,

We would like to invite you to The Open University Westminster Showcase, an event dedicated to Parliamentary staff members. The event will be held on Thursday 14th November, 1.15-3pm in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Westminster. Refreshments will be available.

The event is an opportunity to find out how The Open University (OU) can support you in your day-to-day work in Parliament and in the constituency, the free resources you can share with constituents and local businesses as well as the free learning and development opportunities available.

On the day you can:

  • Learn about the free OU research and insights available to use when you’re writing briefing notes, policy documents or speeches.
  • Explore our free learning and development opportunities available to you and constituents.
  • Hear about the free OU insights local businesses and public services can access to support them with skills development and workforce planning.
  • Have a go at an online experiment via our Queen’s Anniversary award winning OpenSTEM Labs which enables OU students to access scientific equipment wherever in the world they are studying.
  • Network and meet colleagues from across parliament and the research and think-tank sectors.
  • Discover what Mars smells like…

The OU plays a significant role in local communities across the UK, with OU students based in every local area – including in the constituency you support.

Please RSVP and let us know if on the day you would like to collect a copy of your Constituency Profile, which includes useful facts and stats on the number of OU students in your constituency and their demographics.

All parliamentary staff members are welcome so please do share this invitation with anyone you think might like to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Caseworker Discussion Forum – Finding data about your constituency

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Time: 14:30 – 15:30
Date: Thursday 7 November 2024
Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams

The November 2024 forum will focus on finding data about your constituency.

Get an introduction to the constituency statistics provided by the Library, and how we can help you find data about postcodes and locations of services in your constituency.

We will be joined by Carl Baker and Cassie Barton from the Library’s Social & General Statistics team.

To book, please go here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/signup.php?s=17907

‘How to be a Select Committee Member’ – Training Events

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There are two “How to be a Select Committee Member” events taking place this week. If your Member has recently been elected to a Select Committee, they are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 10am – 10.50am (Macmillan Room, Portcullis House). 

Tuesday 29 October 2024, 10 – 10.50am (Macmillan Room, Portcullis House).

The sessions will cover:

  • practical aspects of committee work, such as the inquiry process and how committees make decisions;
  • meeting procedure and etiquette;
  • and information about the support from specialist teams available.

Members can register to attend these events, by completing this short online form. 

There are also two events for staff coming up: “How to support your Member with select committee work”. These will be really useful if your Member has recently been appointed to a Select Committee. 

  • Wednesday 30 October 2pm to 2.45pm 
  • Tuesday 5 November 11.30am-12.15pm 

These 40-minute sessions will cover:

  • What are select committees and how do they work?
  • How to support a Member who is serving on a select committee?
  • Q&A – ask us anything! 

    To sign up, book via Act.  

Whistleblowing Training for MPs and MPs’ Staff

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This training session will be delivered by Protect, a UK independent whistleblowing charity and legal advice centre.

Members of Parliament are designated in the law as people to whom whistleblowers can disclose information about wrongdoing, risks and malpractice. This training aims to help MPs and their staff who may receive concerns understand their role in the process, the protections available and the risks to whistleblowers who may have taken a big step in speaking up.

Time: 10:00
Date: Wednesday 30 October 2024
Location: Online via Teams
Booking and further information: https://parliament.learningpool.com/enrol/index.php?id=2290

October Benefits Newscast

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The Benefits Training Company produces a monthly newscast which features three of their benefits experts discussing the latest benefits news stories including changes to legislation, DWP announcements, relevant case law and guidance. There are links to the sources of the items discussed, and some that aren’t discussed if they think they might help.

In this month’s Benefits Newscast, David, Will and Sarah discuss extrapolating from non-PIP activities; Means-testing winter fuel payments; UC managed migration & passporting; UC managed migration current issues & resources; Carer’s allowance & averaging earnings.

You can also access previous newscasts on their website: https://www.benefitstraining.co.uk/benefits-newscast/