What is the public sector?
The public sector covers public services and enterprises. They include information required to the public which includes but is not limited to; fire, health and safety, government-related organisations and healthcare. These organisations have a duty to communicate all relevant information and resources to the public.
Why are there different requirements for public sector websites?
There are two major factors that are generally covered across all websites that are vital to meeting requirements in the public sector. The first factor is accessibility. You can read more information about whether your website needs to be accessible in this article. We offer customisable website accessibility audits so you can see where your site could be more accessible.
The government site for example displays the highest level of accessibility as it is a legal requirement that everyone should be able to access the information on that site. This will include those with disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, learning disabilities as well as younger and older audiences. The www.gov.uk website is mainly text, clearly written out into headings and subheadings. The colour contrast is high so the content is easy to read and there are minimal images which would slow down the site and require alternative descriptions.
The other main priority when working with Public Sector organisations is data protection and the management of data. This is from start to finish and extended onto support. After working with the sector on numerous projects, we are aware of the processes and procedures these organisations have in place and the level of detail required to gain the approval needed to move forward with the project. Right from the start, we ensure we comply with the levels of security and data protection and have the standards, documentation and procedures in place. This can include items such as:
- How we store data
- How we manage sensitive data
- Policies and procedures we have in place in relation to data, storage and management
- Programmes, firewalls, restrictions we have in place and certifications such as ICO certificates
- Hosting and external facilities and their impacts on our practises and procedures
Is an external agency able to build public sector websites?
The short answer is yes. External agencies can have the capacity and agility to ensure these are delivered to high standard and on budget. However, it’s essential that public sector organisations choose the right partner or else they may find themselves with more of a headache than they started with.
Capsule Marketing are specialists in working with public sector organisations ensuring always all requirements are met and maintained throughout the entire process, whether we work with you on design, website or digital marketing campaigns. We regularly review our policies and procedures, invest in best tools and practices and complete regular training to ensure we are always up to date and most importantly compliant.
After working with several public organisations such as the NHS, Suffolk Council Council, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Universities UK and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, Suffolk Resilience Forum and Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum, we now pride ourselves in being public sector website specialists, from the UX design, data management and protection all the way through to the build and after care of the site.
So why not get in touch with us today to see how we can help you boost your public sector website.
