Local Government faces the most significant structural changes it has had to accommodate in over 50 years. Not only does it continue to provide services to residents in the most difficult of circumstances, it now also faces significant challenges, and opportunities through the onset of Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution.

To kick off our new series of Panoramic Associates Briefings on Devolution and Reorganisation, supported by LOGIN, we are delighted to be joined by Martyn Cockram who will draw on his experience establishing the new Unitary services of North and West Northamptonshire to share his key lessons for Local Government Reorganisation.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 30 April
Time: 8:00 – 9:00
Location: Microsoft Teams (linked share after registering)
Registration: Sign up today to secure your spot

The Talk

As Interim Head of Adults and Public Heath LGR at Northamptonshire CC, Martyn Cockram delivered two new Unitary services which included the disaggregation of a £253m service across 1,600 people, and then reaggregating them into two new services at North and West Northamptonshire.

In this Briefing, Martyn covers the key themes to support you through your journey in Local Government Reorganisation, sharing the key lessons and actions from his time at Northamptonshire, including:

• Design and its role
• iT/GDPR/DPIA
• Safe and Legal
• People Support through change
• Opportunities and collaboration which arise through LGR

Our Speaker

Martyn is an experienced transformation and change professional with a strong organisational and change background. He has consistently delivered programmes across the public sector, working predominantly across Local Government, Health, and Social Housing.

As an Interim Leader and Consultant, he has led significant strategic, operational, and cultural development within Corporate Centres, Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Care, Commissioning, Housing and in the development of commercial organisations through the scoping, design, and implementation of complex transformation programmes, across people, process, place, and technology.

Martyn has consistently delivered sustainable outcomes, resulting in service improvement for residents and in doing so achieved significant savings in excess of £100m to those organisations with whom he has worked.

Registration

Complete our online registration to confirm your spot.

Exploring Public Health: Director Sandra Husbands Discusses Strategies and Community Engagement

In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, host Maisie Hockings welcomes Dr. Sandra Husbands, Director of Public Health at the London Borough of Hackney and the City of London. Dr. Sandra Husbands shares her extensive career journey in public health, from her initial medical training to her current role, highlighting a pivotal moment during her experience in Brazil where she recognised the critical role of better living conditions in disease prevention.

Please read on for a preview of this engaging episode and what you can expect to learn.

From Medicine to Public Health: Dr. Sandra Husbands’ Journey

Dr. Sandra Husbands’ career path exemplifies a dedicated pursuit of public health excellence, deeply rooted in a desire to make impactful change. Originally trained in medicine, Dr. Husbands transitioned into public health, driven by a realization that she could effect more significant change at a population level than through individual patient care. Her early career included explorations in scientific research, ultimately leading her to the public health arena where she found her true calling in communal well-being and disease prevention.

Directing Public Health in Hackney and the City of London

As the Director of Public Health for Hackney and the City of London, Dr. Husbands has led her team through diverse challenges unique to these areas. Juggling dual responsibilities and working across two distinctive local authorities, she Emphasise the importance of aligning with community-specific health needs. In Hackney, characterised by diverse demographics and significant health inequalities, and the City of London with its small population but unique challenges like port health, Dr. Husbands adeptly balances the different regulatory landscapes and policy priorities.

Successful Initiatives and Community Engagement

Under her leadership, the public health department has tackled issues ranging from suicide prevention to health intelligence innovations. Noteworthy is the collaborative suicide prevention strategy in the City of London, which successfully reduced attempts through a synergy of community resources and focused initiatives. Dr. Husbands champions community participation as a cornerstone of public health, believing that real change comes from listening to and working with local residents.

The Role of Technology and Innovation

Recognising the rising role of data and technology, Dr. Husbands pilots initiatives leveraging AI to streamline processes like report generation, representing her forward-thinking approach. Her vision includes ensuring that technology aids rather than supplants public health efforts, thereby enhancing outcome efficiency and insight generation.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

In a rapidly evolving public health landscape, Dr. Husbands is optimistic about future opportunities, particularly the potential for more integrative work with the NHS under the government’s health agendas. She underscores the necessity of maintaining flexibility amidst shifting policy environments, aiming to continue impactful public health practices without undue constraints.

Guidance for Aspiring Professionals

For those entering the field, Dr. Husbands Emphasise the importance of keeping a broad perspective on public health rather than becoming narrowly focused. She advises new consultants to actively pursue diverse experiences to remain adaptable and employable, advocating for an unwavering commitment to community-informed and evidence-based practices.

Closing Insights

Dr. Husbands’ career trajectory has been marked by a drive to address health disparities and improve population health through strategic leadership and community collaboration. Her story serves as an inspiration for current and future public health professionals committed to societal well-being and social justice.

Click the link below to listen or find us on your preferred podcast platform. Stay tuned for more episodes featuring dedicated public health professionals making a difference in their communities.

Stay tuned for more episodes featuring dedicated public health professionals who are making a significant impact in their communities. 

Panoramic Associates are delighted to announce that we have once again secured a place in the esteemed Recruiter HOT 100 list for 2025, ranking at number 72!

This achievement underscores our continued excellence in operational and financial performance, even amidst the ever-evolving recruitment landscape.

The Recruiter HOT 100 is a highly competitive ranking that recognises the top-performing recruitment businesses in the UK. Our placement reflects the dedication and expertise of our talented consultants, who consistently provide outstanding service across our specialist markets, offering tailored permanent and contract staffing solutions.

At Panoramic Associates, our commitment to delivering exceptional talent solutions, prioritising client and candidate experiences, and creating an inclusive and supportive culture remains at the heart of everything we do. Our recognition in the HOT 100 list is a testament to the hard work and passion of our teams, who continue to drive success and innovation in the recruitment industry.

“We are incredibly proud to once again be recognised in the Recruiter HOT 100. This achievement is a reflection of the dedication and expertise of our teams, who strive to provide best-in-class recruitment solutions. It’s an honour to be ranked among the UK’s top recruitment businesses, and we look forward to building on this success in the years to come” comments Panoramic Associates’ Founding Director Tom Hibberd.

As we celebrate this milestone, we extend our gratitude to our clients, candidates, and the entire Panoramic Associates’ community for their trust and support. We remain committed to excellence and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the recruitment sector.

For more information about Panoramic Associates and our specialist recruitment services, visit: About Us.

As an interim, you often step into a leadership role in a transitional period, needing to quickly establish some continuity and stability. Being able to hit the ground running, build strong relationships, and manage transitions effectively is invaluable.

In this Panoramic Associates Briefing: Public Realm, Shaun Morley draws on his 9 years experience as an interim in local government, working across 12 different local authorities, to provide actionable insight on effectively hitting the ground running.

Our Speaker

‘Strategies for a successful start: An inside look at an Interim’s experience in Local Government’

Shaun Morley started in local government in 1996 working in a small district council in East Sussex. Over the next 19 years, he worked for two district councils and one London Borough: Rother DC, Mid Sussex DC and LB Wandsworth. In 2015, after moving to the Shetland Islands, Shaun began working as an interim manager/consultant. Between then and the present he has worked for 12 different local authorities in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

With a professional background in Waste Management most interim positions have had an environmental element – however in recent years it is becoming more likely that responsibilities are expanded to include any or all of the following depending on the level being required to operate at: Parks & Open Spaces, Cemeteries, Transport, Fleet, Housing, Environmental Health, Legal Services, Facilities, Health and Safety and Harbour & Marinas.

Leading Public Health in East Sussex: Challenges and Opportunities with Darrell Gale

In this episode, Maisie Hockings, engages in a compelling conversation with Darrell Gale, the Director of Public Health at East Sussex County Council. Darrell delves into his diverse career path from architecture to public health, the profound challenges and triumphs of his current role, and the critical public health issues facing East Sussex today, including the impact of the climate crisis.

Please read on for a preview of this engaging episode and what you can expect to learn.

Meet Darrell Gale: From Architecture to Public Health  

Darrell Gales journey to public health took an unconventional path. Originally trained as an architect, he transitioned into public health through voluntary work in HIV prevention. This experience led to paid positions, gradually professionalising his community-based work through health promotion certificates and eventually pursuing a master’s in public health. His progression demonstrates how diverse backgrounds can lead to impactful public health careers.

Leading Public Health in East Sussex

As Director of Public Health at East Sussex County Council, Darrell emphasises the importance of understanding local communities and their unique challenges. Despite being in the traditionally wealthy South East, East Sussex faces health outcomes similar to more deprived areas like Blackpool and Hartlepool. Historical geographical isolation has contributed to significant health inequalities and life expectancy gaps, making his role particularly challenging.

Navigating the Covid-19 Crisis

The pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for East Sussex, particularly as one of the first areas in the UK to confirm cases. Darrell leadership approach focused on maintaining public trust while managing uncertainty. His team’s success came from clear communication, avoiding scare tactics, and maintaining transparency about the evolving situation. The community’s strong response, including voluntary sector and parish involvement, proved crucial in managing the crisis.

Climate Change: A Growing Challenge

East Sussex faces numerous climate-related challenges, from flooding and coastal erosion to extreme heat events. Darrell highlights the increasing frequency of severe weather events and their impact on public health, including excess deaths during heatwaves. He also anticipates future challenges such as vector-borne diseases, emphasising the need for preparedness and public education.

Future Vision and Priorities

After six years in the role, Darrell remains committed to addressing key challenges in East Sussex, including:

• Tackling suicide prevention at Beachy Head
• Addressing health inequalities within the South East context
• Managing an aging population while attracting younger residents
• Rejuvenating the county’s economy and opportunities
• Strengthening partnerships with local authorities and healthcare providers

Career Pathways in Public Health Leadership

Darrell outlines various career progression opportunities for Public Health Directors, including:

• Moving between different types of localities (rural/urban)
• Regional director positions within OHID
• NHS population healthcare roles
• Local government executive positions
• Civil service roles

The interview concludes with Darrell advice for aspiring public health professionals, emphasising the importance of passion for social justice and health equity as fundamental to success in the field.

Join us for this engaging episode of Public Health Spotlight to gain deeper insights from Darrell Gale’s experiences and reflections. Click the link below to listen or find us on your preferred podcast platform. Stay tuned for more episodes featuring dedicated public health professionals making a difference in their communities.

Stay tuned for more episodes featuring dedicated public health professionals who are making a significant impact in their communities. 

Are you looking to enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of social care services? Join us for an insightful Briefing with Dr Mike Evans, a highly accomplished healthcare executive and interim consultant with extensive UK and international experience in health and social care.

With a proven track record in transformation and digital innovation, Mike will share his expertise on the implementation and impact of Digital Social Care Records (DSCRs).

The Details

Date: Friday 28th March
Time: 12:30 – 13:20
Location: Microsoft Teams (link shared after registering)
Who: Social Care professionals
Registration: Sign up to secure your free spot

The Talk

Digital social care records (DSCRs) offer many benefits, including:

• Enhanced quality and safety: DSCRs help ensure individuals receive the right care at the right time while reducing safety risks such as medication errors, dehydration, or missed visits.
• Comprehensive care plans: They identify gaps in information and provide real-time alerts for managers to address issues promptly.
• Increased efficiency: Staff can save considerable time per shift on administrative tasks.
• Streamlined audits: Audits can be conducted more frequently and with greater ease.
• Improved accuracy and clarity: Digital records are more consistent, accurate, and legible compared to paper-based systems.
• Support for neurodiverse staff: Features like voice-to-text functionality assist care staff who may find writing challenging and enable information to be recorded on the go.

These advantages highlight the transformative potential of DSCRs in modern social care, but whilst these benefits and more are very welcome deployment is a journey of organisational transformation.

Our Speaker

Dr Mike Evans – Interim Executive Director

Mike is a highly accomplished and widely respected healthcare executive and interim consultant with extensive experience in the UK and international health and social care sectors.

He has successfully led initiatives in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, focusing on transformation and business turnaround across a wide range of services, including acute and elective hospital care, NHS children and adult mental health services, NHS community services (including ambulance services), and adult intellectual disability services.

Mike specialises in helping organisations achieve transformative results by addressing challenges, driving change, and significantly enhancing performance. His expertise spans interim leadership, strategic direction, and performance management, working in close collaboration with key stakeholders—frontline clinicians, carers, people supported by services, and patients.

In his most recent roles, Mike served as Interim Quality Director for one of the UK’s leading social care organisations supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and complex needs. He also led the deployment of an NHS-assured digital social care record, overseeing its development from pilot phase to full-scale implementation.

Register

Sign up today to secure your free spot.

Tackling Gambling Harm: A Public Health Priority

The latest episode of Public Health Spotlight explores the pressing issue of gambling-related harm, featuring insights from Leanne Downie of Betknowmore UK, alongside local authority representatives from Islington Council, John Woolf and Flora Williamson. Hosted by Panoramic Associates‘ Lead Practice Director Maisie Hockings, the discussion delves into the complexities of gambling harm and the collaborative efforts required to address this growing public health concern.

Please read on for a preview of this engaging episode and what you can expect to learn.

Understanding Betknowmore UK’s Mission

Founded in 2013 by Frankie Graham, who brought 20 years of personal experience with gambling harm, Betknowmore UK has become a leading organisation tackling gambling-related issues in the UK. Their approach prioritises holistic support and stigma reduction, acknowledging that gambling harm extends beyond financial consequences to impact families, communities, and society at large.

The Hidden Nature of Modern Gambling

One of the key challenges highlighted in the discussion is the increasingly covert nature of gambling, particularly with the rise of online platforms. While traditional gambling activities such as lottery tickets and bingo remain visible, the digital revolution has introduced new, less conspicuous avenues for gambling, which may go undetected for years. Unlike substance addictions, gambling harm often lacks clear physical symptoms, making early intervention more difficult.

Vulnerable Demographics and Emerging Trends

The podcast challenges common assumptions about who is affected by gambling harm. While historically associated with male gamblers, recent research indicates rising rates among women and younger people. The discussion also explores how cultural and religious factors can create additional barriers to seeking support, emphasising the need for culturally sensitive services.

Local Authority Response and Challenges

Representatives from Islington Council shared their experiences in tackling gambling harm at a local level, highlighting several significant challenges, including:

• The limitations of the 2005 Gambling Act
• The proliferation of gambling establishments in areas of high deprivation
• The need to balance regulatory responsibilities with support services

Collaborative Approaches to Prevention

The partnership between Islington Council and Betknowmore UK demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative approaches. Their work includes:

• Integrating support services into community hubs
• Delivering staff training programmes
• Developing public health-focused gambling policies
• Engaging communities through parent champions and educational initiatives

Looking to the Future

The discussion concludes by addressing emerging challenges, particularly within the digital sphere. With the rapid advancement of technology, including virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), there is an urgent need to stay ahead of new gambling trends and their potential consequences. The speakers stress the importance of data collection, cross-sector collaboration, and continued community engagement in shaping effective responses to gambling harm.

This episode underscores the complex nature of gambling harm as a public health issue and highlights the crucial need for coordinated responses from local authorities, support organisations, and communities. As digital gambling continues to evolve, adaptive and collaborative approaches will be essential to protecting vulnerable populations and supporting those affected by gambling harm.

Stay tuned for more episodes featuring dedicated public health professionals making a difference in their communities.

Stay tuned for more episodes featuring dedicated public health professionals who are making a significant impact in their communities. 

In this Panoramic Associates Briefing designed for SEND professionals, educators, and local authority leaders, we focus on two critical areas: ensuring effective placements for children with EHCPs and managing the High Needs Block while maintaining positive outcomes.

Our expert speakers provide practical, child-centred strategies and policy insights to help you navigate the complexities of SEND provision.

The Talks

Making placements work: the children’s perspective and government views (Annie Gammon)

Annie explores the process of placing children with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) from the perspective of the children themselves. Through the experiences of three children with diverse needs and backgrounds, Annie examines what contributes to successful placements and how different approaches impact outcomes.

Emphasising what we want to achieve for the children who we work for, Annie’s talk will reflect on what this means for professional practice across education, social care, health, and SEND.

The session will also highlight the government’s position on potential reforms and the implications these changes may have for EHCP placements in the future.

The 5 ‘no’s of Deficit Recovery: Balancing management of the High Needs Block with good outcomes for children (Emma Ferrey)

Emma provides five actionable strategies that you can immediately implement in your settings to drive positive change and effectively manage spending within the High Needs Block.

Our Speakers

Annie Gammon – Leader of Education

I have worked in the education field for over 30 years – always holding to the principle of making sure every child gets a high quality education. My latest role has been Interim Director of Education, Participation and Skills for Plymouth City Council. This included overseeing SEND provision and leading the area through a SEND inspection.

Prior to that I spent four years as Director of Education for the London Borough of Hackney, overseeing the full range of educational services for children, families and schools. During that period I directed work around SEND provision, reducing exclusions, early years and multiagency collaboration to support vulnerable children.

For the previous ten years, I was headteacher of a large successful inclusive 11-19 comprehensive school. I also have experience being a trustee and chair of academy trusts, a governor of a special school, being a governor of a sixth form college and inspecting schools.

Emma Ferrey – High Needs Block and SEND Consultant

Having worked in many roles in both schools and local authorities over the past 20+ years, I am passionate about good outcomes for children that prepare them for a meaningful adult life.

My work focusses on opportunities for savings and cost avoidance. Over the past 4 years, I have worked to save authorities around £8m as well as identified significant cost avoidance in the 10s of millions.

Adult Social Care needs a workforce strategy to ensure we have enough of the right people with the right skills to provide the best possible care and support for the people who draw on it. For the first time ever, the Adult Social Care sector has come together, led by Skills for Care, to develop the Workforce Strategy it needs.

At this Panoramic Associates Briefing, we are joined by Jane Brightman, Director of Workforce Strategy at Skills for Care, to provide an introduction to this strategy, examining engagement, influence, implementation and impact.

The Talk

Jane’s talk will explore:

– The strategic direction for the adult social care workforce over the next 15 years.
– How the strategy aligns with broader government and NHS goals.
– Practical steps and examples of how the strategy is being implemented.
– Opportunities for engagement and contribution to the strategy’s success.

Our Speaker

Jane Brightman has over 30 years of experience across the adult social care sector including frontline care, leadership, education, digital transformation and national policy.

For 10 years she was Director of a private training organisation specialising in adult social care delivery before going on to national roles supporting training and development in social care.

Jane spent two years at NHSX (now NHS Transformation Directorate) in the blended Digitising Social Care programme as Assistant Director, leading and delivering on the White Paper commitments.

In 2022 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Arden University for services to social care.

Timely support is crucial. By identifying and addressing the needs of a child or family early, we can enhance protective factors that positively impact a child’s wellbeing and reduce the risk factors that may negatively affect their life.

In this Breakfast Briefing led by Kate Dexter, we focus on approaches and strategies to prevent children from escalating into Care, including Alternatives to Care approaches and the introduction of Family Help, including the design, implementation and evaluation of a large pilot.

The Talk

Kate Dexter, Assistant Director Children’s Services, explores:

• The No Wrong Door approach to support adolescents to remain with their families, including utilising residential services for Adolescent Short Breaks.
• The efficacy of early help services when integrated with social work, and the benefits of employing alternatively qualified workers to support families.
• Building a stable and engaged workforce despite the very challenging time we are facing working within Children’s Social Care.

Watch Now

Our Speaker

Kate Dexter, Assistant Director Children’s Services at Harrow Council

Kate Dexter has been working in Children’s Social Care for more than 20 years, working as a senior manager for nearly a decade. Kate is passionate and excited to improve outcomes for children within our community, whilst also providing a positive, stable and supportive environment for staff.

Kate has worked as an Assistant Director in Norfolk County Council since Jan 2020, more recently working as a Assistant Director in the London Borough of Harrow.  Kate has spent the past few years transforming services and improving outcomes for children through a number of innovative and cost-effective approaches which have delivered cost effective services for children both within the community and in Care.