Making ends meet….
Michele Figg, BSc Geology (Bristol ’98) Listening to the radio a few weeks ago, over a cup of tea (and TBH a biscuit or two), as the government announced measures to alleviate fuel poverty over the winter months, I reflected …
How we work
Why can't we just get the data?
Why can't we just get the data? Why are there so many problems? Why are you asking me so many questions??? These are three things that I get asked regularly by people throughout my organisation, from senior management to frontline …
Everyone's talking about it, but is anyone actually doing it?
There is always a buzz topic in the world of data analytics and in the last few years ‘data literacy’ has been thrust into the spotlight. Specifically, “raising data literacy”. ‘What do we mean by data literacy and how do …
Practice Makes Perfect: Our Approach to Learning Our Trade
The greatest piece of advice I was given when I joined Essex County Council as a Junior Analyst almost exactly one year ago, was to dedicate time to learning. This is just one example of the strong culture of personal …
Data – Providing Clarity in Crisis
As an authority, Essex County Council is no stranger to crisis management. We have a large coastline and as such regularly face flooding risks. We have well practiced processes in place to deal with these short-term crises. The processes work …
Why renting in later life matters for everyone
Renting in later life seems to touch on almost all aspects of life. Here we're sharing the findings of our first phase of analysis.
Back to School
“I can’t wait to be a student for a week!” Sophie and I said to each other as we signed up for the Institute for Analytics and Data Science (IADS) Summer School at the University of Essex in July. You …
Thinking outside the [Primary Support Reason] box
Data loves a binary but as any social worker would I’m sure tell you - people don’t fit neatly into boxes! For much of our analysis there is a need to segment individuals into various groups, whether its budget code, …
Keeping Cool Throughout the Project Lifecycle
As we approach another week of high temperatures how do you go about starting well to ensure you remain as cool and prepared as possible and what does it have to do with a data and analytics project lifecycle…. What …
Forecasting adult social care demand to prepare for the future
It’s often the case when we are busy, that we don’t take the time to reflect on or celebrate our successes. I am therefore enthusiastic to be taking the opportunity to do just that in this blog, sharing our methods …