Background

The research project from Communities and Local Government (CLG) focuses on why public sector providers of services do not fully embrace the potential for using technology to tackle social exclusion. It is about exploring the extent to which digital inclusion features on the agenda of various groups of people within the public sector and identifying the underlying reasons why some organisations have made significant progress in tackling the digital divide, while others have not. If it’s about training or awareness, the project is designed to highlight how these gaps can be filled by building professional capacity.  The project is especially aimed at people involved in the delivery of services to the most deprived communities and excluded groups.

To identify whether such a gap exists (currently there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that it does), the project is looking at current and past research but is also asking professionals themselves if they think there is knowledge and skills gap for those people involved in developing and delivering strategies, projects and programmes for deprived areas. If there is a gap, what does the gap consist of, what sort of actions need to be developed and where can we draw on what works best from the many individual examples of good and effective practice.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that the thinking that led to the good examples of Digital Inclusion and responses to the Digital Challenge, as demonstrated in the “DC10” group, (the winner and runners up for the Digital Challenge competition) is encouraged in all local authorities and strategic partnerships, to the ultimate benefit of disadvantaged communities and individuals. The driving force behind this is the Local Government White Paper in drawing out the potential for local authorities and strategic partnerships to use technology to make an impact in this area.

The main targets for this research are people working in Local Authorities or Local Strategic Partnerships (including the independent and voluntary sectors) who are tackling community deprivation. The team taking forward the research want to learn from your good practices and your mistakes.

Aims and Objectives for the Regional Workshops

•    Identify what we mean by Digital and Social Exclusion

•    Identify good practice for addressing  social exclusion through technology

•    Identify the key barriers to meeting the needs of the digitally excluded

•    Explore how they can be met and why