The launch of Patchwork, FutureGov's new safeguarding web app last week, was news for social care and the broader development of local government IT.
The app, designed to improve information sharing between local government professionals, has been developed with expertise and costs shared between the consultancy and a handful of councils in Staffordshire and other agencies such as Nesta and Nominet.
If any had done it individually, or even together but without the private sector partner, it would likely have taken longer and cost more. In addition, the councils have provided the experience of issues facing social workers, and their role provides a degree of clout in the marketplace.
Understandably, FutureGov has blown its own trumpet in the launch, claiming lower development costs and a broad web expertise, and its founder Dominic Campbell said in a blogpost that it provides a strong example of innovation in local government.
In such cases those involved will always talk up their efforts, but Patchwork has a degree of credibility that could give it momentum in the market. There is certainly plenty of potential for more of this collaboration between local government and external consultancies that understand the web.
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