ADSO is hosting a virtual it’s highly popular course ‘Overview and Scrutiny’.  The course will be delivered as two, virtual three-hour workshops.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience

This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the main principles, roles and methodology of overview and scrutiny.  The target audience will be those who need an introduction to overview and scrutiny to equip them with the basics to support Overview and Scrutiny Committees and task and finish groups. The content is also linked to Module 7 of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.

The workshops will

• Provide an understanding of the relevant legislation underpinning overview and scrutiny.
• Provide an understanding of the roles and principles of good scrutiny.
• Explore ideas about how to put together a Scrutiny Work Programme
• Explore how to scope a scrutiny review.
• Explore ideas for measuring effectiveness.

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Peter Foulsham
Peter has recently retired after working for eighteen years at Wyre Council, initially as the Scrutiny Officer and in recent years as the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager.  Peter has been involved in training and development throughout his working life and has worked with ADSO in this role over the past nine or ten years.  Peter is also an assessor on ADSO’s Diploma in Local Democracy and the Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge.

Gennie Holmes
Gennie has worked in Local Government since 1996 and in democratic services since 2011. She works as a Scrutiny Co-ordinator at Coventry City Council. She co-ordinates the West Midlands Scrutiny Officer network and co-chairs the County and Unitary Scrutiny network. As well as scrutiny she manages the delivery of the Members Training Strategy and runs the in-house ‘Good Governance’ training for officers and external partners. Gennie completed the ADSO Diploma in 2019

Date and time

Workshop One: Wednesday 11th June 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: Wednesday 18th June 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on 11th June course date to be able to attend both workshops.

Cost

• ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
• Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course
• ADSO Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge Learner – Free

How to book a place

To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below. The terms and conditions of booking can be found here.

Booking requirements

• A purchase order number is required for all bookings.  Please make the PO out to ADSO.  Courses cannot be attended if a purchase order is not received.
• A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
• Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
• A few days after booking you will receive a calendar invite for the workshop(s).  Please note that your email address will be visible to all participants unless you advise us otherwise.
• Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.