Working at a senior level as a DSO often brings additional pressures and demands, requiring a slightly different set of skills and attributes. The need to operate differently when you are in a senior position can be challenging, even for DSOs who have been in role for a considerable length of time. Understanding these challenges and how not only to survive, but thrive, at a higher level is crucial to balancing the demands of a step up in responsibility and seniority in local government democratic services.

This Masterclass will explore how a senior level democratic services role differs and the key skills and attributes required to succeed. It will explore, through discussion and group work, skills such as ambassadorial skills, a deeper understanding of political and local context issues, an understanding of stakeholder interests, and negotiation skills. Delegates will consider the differences in job content when moving into a senior role, both core democratic services work and non-DS work, as well as ways in which they might develop their skills and aptitudes.

This Masterclass is limited to 16 delegates to ensure all those attending derive maximum benefit.

Audience

This Masterclass is open to all democratic services officers moving into a senior role.

Peter Sass

Peter is the Head of Governance for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils and Deputy Monitoring Officer for Wandsworth. He has 35 years’ experience in numerous governance roles, mainly Democratic/Members’ Services and elections/electoral registration and has worked at all tiers of local government including a parish council. Peter is ADSO’s current Chair and has held various roles within ADSO including as Vice-Chair, trainer, regional assessor and Company Secretary.

Anwen Davies

Anwen has had a diverse career in local government spanning 38 years across 2 local authorities in Wales. She has held job roles in complex front line statutory services (Education and Social Services), Economic Development and Democratic Services providing a real opportunity to develop a blend of hard and soft transferable skills.  In addition, she has held a plethora of voluntary roles in the local community. Key positions include Corporate Governance lead (Scrutiny); Secretariat lead; Company Secretary; Director of Adult Social Care; Performance and business lead; Contracts lead & negotiator / business acquisition; Policy development and compliance. Voluntary sector roles have included Chair of school governing body; Charity chair and secretary; Safeguarding lead for football & rugby clubs. Anwen is a strong advocate of Democratic Services and believes they play a pivotal role in the political and administrative health of public services.

Date and time

7 July 2026, 09.30 – 11.00

Cost

• ADSO Member rate – £100 + VAT per person to attend the course
• Non-ADSO Member rate – £125 + VAT per person to attend the course
• Terms and conditions for booking can be found here.

Booking requirements

• A purchase order number is required for all bookings made out to ADSO (please see note above).  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.