training

Behind the Scenes with the Official Report

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During the summer recess, the Official Report (Hansard) is offering Members’ staff an opportunity to learn how parliamentary proceedings are edited in the Official Report.

Spend an hour and a half with us and find out:

  • How Hansard reporters and editors publish MPs’ speeches
  • Which debates are read the most by constituents and how to share parliamentary contributions online
  • Who to contact with queries about the Official Report and where to read speeches before publication

We finish with a tour of the Hansard offices and the Press Gallery.

We will be holding sessions on the parliamentary estate during the summer recess on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 July, as well as on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 August.

We welcome all Members’ staff and any questions they may have!

For more information and to book a place, please contact [email protected]

Improving the management and wellbeing of political staffers:insights from Prime Minister’s Advisers in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

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A Wellness Working Group online event.

Presenter: Dr Jennifer Lees-Marshment University of Auckland, New Zealand
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Date: Thursday 8 June 2023
Location: Online via Teams

This presentation will present suggestions for how to improve the management and wellbeing of political staffers, drawing on research conducted in 2022-23 through interviews with political practitioners, including 66 advisers for Prime Ministers Scott Morrison, Justin Trudeau, Boris Johnson and Jacinda Ardern.

It will discuss best practice recommendations made by experienced staffers who have worked in Prime Ministerial offices in Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand. These include clearer orientation, more relevant and ongoing training, as well as training of those involved in managing, effective and positive feedback to create and office culture, and the use of tools to constrain workloads, maintain motivation and support wellbeing.

This will be of interest to existing staffers, prospective special advisers, and anyone who may aspire to, or find themselves in the position of managing other staffers/colleagues.

To receive an invitation to the event, please email [email protected]

Managing Workplace Stress for MPs Staff – new training course

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A brand new training course from the Members’ Services Team.

The first presentation will be on Tuesday 13 June 2023.

For further information and booking, please visit https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2059 (parliamentary network account required)

Course Overview

  • Learn how to recognize the symptoms and triggers of stress in the workplace. 
  • Learning coping strategies and self-care techniques for dealing with stress. 
  • Learn how to support co-workers who are under stress. 
  • Learn techniques to manage pressure and improve resilience to stress. 
  • Learn how to set boundaries in the workplace. (E.g. how to communicate when your workload is too high to take anything else on, how to communicate you need a break after a stressful interaction) 
  • Learn how to access available support services.

Training: Accessing Publications: Select Committee Reports & Government Publications

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Wednesday, 29 Mar 2023, 14:00 – 15:00

Online via MS Teams
Contact: Iliyan Nanchev, 0207 219 0486, [email protected]

Join this Vote Office talk to learn how you can access select committee reports, government papers and other publication material relevant to your work as Members’ staff.

Find out more about how the Topical Updates newsletter can keep you up to date with relevant publications and learn more about the various research tools available to you, including information on the provision of both physical as well as digital copies of reports.

To sign-up, please email [email protected] and you will be added to the attendee list. An MS Teams link will be sent out via email closer to the date.

General Election planning at Parliament: What does it take?

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Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

Time: 12:00 – 13:00
Date: Thursday 16 March 2023
Location: Online via Teams

Ahead of the next general election planning is under way, including to support new and departing MPs.

Come along to this online event you will hear more about what it takes and can ask questions to some of the key people involved.

For further information and to book, please visit this intranet page

Make the Most of the Commons Library

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Join the Library Team for a short session to learn how the Library can support your work. These sessions are ideal for those who have recently started working for a Member or if you simply want a refresher in how to use Library resources.

The resources they cover will help you in your policy, research and casework.

By the end of the session you will be able to:

  • Find and use key Library products including briefing papers, casework articles and data dashboards.
  • Keep up to date with the latest research and developments through our email alerts
  • Know how to use the Library request service
  • Access our online services such as Nexis news and Grantfinder

The sessions are delivered over MS Teams by Library colleagues who all have extensive experience of working with Members and their staff.

To book, click here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=81
Note: you must be logged into the Parliamentary intranet to access the course booking system.

  • 3 March 2023 – 10:30 – 12:00
  • 11 April 2023 – 14:00 – 15:30
  • 17 May 2023 – 10:30 – 12:00
  • 15 June 2023 – 14:00 – 15:30
  • 10 July 2023 – 10:30 – 12:00

Vote Office: Training for Members’ Staff

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Members’ staff are invited to learn more about the Vote Office and the services it offers to support their work.

Introduction to the Vote Office

Time: 11:30 – 12:15
Date: Monday 30 January 2023
Location: Virtual, MS Teams
Booking: contact x3631, [email protected]

This virtual session will provide an introduction of how the Vote Office helps Members’ offices to navigate parliamentary business.  

Both Westminster and constituency-based staff are welcome. The session is suitable for anyone who has recently joined a Member’s office or would like a refresher on our services. 

The session covers:

  • The role of the Vote Office. 
  • How we can assist you in your roles as Members’ Staff. 
  • An overview of the House’s business papers and the Vote Office’s digital services. 

The session will last approximately 30 minutes, with time for questions afterwards.

For more information and to sign up, please email [email protected]. 

Casework Discussion Forum – Wellbeing – looking after yourself and others

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Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 26 January 2023
Location: Online

The Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, is pleased to invite you to the Casework Discussion Forum which will take place virtually each month.

Wellbeing – looking after yourself and others
Led by the Member Services Team.

Booking required: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5177