# UK Government work update **URL:** \ **Category:** UK community\ **Tags:** mhclg\ **Created:** [September 30, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563 "2024-09-30T16:44:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/1 "2024-09-30T16:44:39Z")
The UK Government Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has been running a project from April 2024 to increase the adoption of Open Referral UK. Our [recent mailing](https://mailchi.mp/cf1825755b76/open-referral-uk-whats-new?e=%5BUNIQID%5D) gives some details. Note in particular: - [What is Open Referral UK online event](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-introduction-to-open-referral-uk-event-tickets-1016549897107) on from 11-12:30pm on 9 October 2024 aimed primarily at directors and heads of service at a local authority - [Technical meeting](https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtdOGpqDkpHN05vy1WJiBPkVAU7b6w_ThA#/registration) from 4-5.30pm on 20 November 2024 for developers and commissioners of ORUK software - The [Local Digital blog](https://www.localdigital.gov.uk/introducing-our-new-open-referral-uk-steering-group/) on work of the Cross-Government Steering Group for ORUK Book for meetings to learn more and [join the ORUK mailing list](https://openreferraluk.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9cdac16b200ed03ca1159653a&id=00056900bd) if you haven’t yet done so. ---
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/2 "2024-10-14T16:46:38Z")
[Here on YouTube](https://youtu.be/ualDMXfAPIQ) is a recording of the Government Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) “What is Open Referral UK” event of 9 October 2024 for UK local authorities. ---
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/3 "2024-11-22T13:34:27Z")
Here’s an update on the MHCLG LocalDigital work to increase adoption of Open Referral UK. So far the project has held these two events: 1. [What is ORUK](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ualDMXfAPIQ) - Meeting of 9 October 2024 ([see slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1a01BXqM4LiJegjGff1QBNpGZcYfNsY1hjNc_Naty_zY/edit?usp=sharing)) including: - [at 1.16] “What data standards matter for local authorities” - Emily Sullivan of MHCLG - [at 18:00] ”Impact on Communities” - Ben Unsworth of TPXimpact - [at 39:45] “Why ORUK” - Vicky Tomlinson of Lancashire County Council 1. [Implementing Open Referral UK](https://youtu.be/xpGuhMh9R1g) - Meeting of 20 November 2024 (mainly a technical meeting - [see slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1S0MPXS5DLMLzHFDzvBaOk3sf14Lbl0qh3gDTyLV6jME/edit?usp=sharing)) with: - [1:50] Local Digital work to encourage adoption of ORUK, Sheldon Ferguson, MHCLG - [13:50] Open Referral and the Human Services Data Specification - Greg Bloom, Open Referral USA - [32:30] Version 3 of the Standard: UK profile - Kathryn Irish, Open Data Services Co-op - [39:15] Updates to the website, Dave Iles and Guy Hilton, Project Team - [1:01:50] Questions - [1:14:25] What’s next There’s a third event called “Meet Early Adopters” planned for 28 January 2025. Post here or message me if you’d like to: - Review the draft documentation on implementing the Standard in councils - Test the tools and your API feed - Present your services (specifically products which adopt the Standard) to councils ---
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/4 "2025-01-27T16:04:38Z")
The next event from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to promote adoption of Open Referral UK is [Meet early adopters of Open Referral UK](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-early-adopters-of-open-referral-uk-tickets-1130279930699?aff=oddtdtcreator) from 11:00 to 12:30 GMT on Tuesday 28 January 2025. We expect a recording to be made available after the event. ---
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/5 "2025-01-30T13:27:52Z")
Here’s a [video of the Meet early adopters of Open Referral UK](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIRIUp-utM4) event organised by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to promote adoption of Open Referral UK. The event was held on 28 January 2025. ---
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 2:03pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/6 "2025-09-11T14:03:21Z")
A “Show & tell” is being held at **2:00 pm (BST) on Tuesday 30 September 2025** to update everyone on work managed by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to encourage adoption of Open Referral UK. This is a chance to get a full update on our progress, hear what the community is saying, and learn about our future plans. Here’s what we’ll cover: - A quick overview of what Open Referral UK is and why it’s so important for connecting people to the services they need. We’ll highlight the key benefits and our overall mission. - What we’ve been up to: A deep dive into our recent work, including new website features, data feeds, and our new ‘use cases’ catalogue, and our efforts to connect with other government initiatives. - What’s next: A sneak peak at what we’re working on next - We’ll spotlight some of the key conversations happening on our forum, sharing what’s important to you right now. This is a great way to see what others are discussing and how you can get involved. **[Register here for this Zoom event.](https://zoom.us/meeting/register/wd8s7gW2SAGyUa5OHufuTQ)** ---
**Author:** ![MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openreferral.org/mikethacker-istanduk/32/8_2.png) [@MikeThacker-iStandUK](https://forum.openreferral.org/u/MikeThacker-iStandUK)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.openreferral.org/t/uk-government-work-update/563/7 "2025-10-01T15:36:21Z")
Here the video of the [Open Referral UK: A Community Show and Tell](https://youtu.be/fM8uo9gNlkU?si=a-T9tQOZo1dv61Nk) event that was held on 30 September 2025.