Independent IT Advice You Can Act On.
We help housing providers, care companies, charities and growing businesses get IT, cyber security, AI and digital projects right, in plain English.
Questions We Help Answer
- Should we renew our housing system, or replace it?Housing
- Would we cope if we were hit by a cyber attack?Cyber Security
- Could we pass an ISO 27001 audit?ISO 27001
- Do we know what personal data we hold, and who we share it with?Data Governance
- Is our technology spending going to the right things?Digital Strategy
- Where could AI genuinely help us, and what are the risks?AI Adoption
- Who leads IT while we recruit?IT Consultancy
About Us
Over 20 years of experience across housing, the NHS, care, charities, further education and higher education.
Each of these sectors looks after people, handles sensitive information and answers to regulators, boards or trustees. After two decades working in them, we know what good looks like and how to get there without wasting money.
We are independent, so our advice is based on what your organisation needs. We explain things in plain English, so boards, trustees and managers can make confident decisions. And we stay practical: recommendations you can afford, with a clear plan to deliver them.
Where We Have Worked
- HousingResident services, repairs and the systems behind them.
- NHSPatient data, strict governance and services that depend on each other.
- CareProtecting people's records and keeping services running.
- CharityMaking limited budgets and small teams go further.
- Further EducationLearner data, safeguarding and dependable IT for staff and students.
- Higher EducationLarge, varied organisations with complex data and many stakeholders.
Who We Work With
Organisations where people depend on IT working and information staying safe.
- Housing Providers
- Housing management systems, repairs and resident services, and the data behind them.
- Care Companies
- Systems and security that protect people's records and keep services running.
- Charities
- Sensible IT spending, clear priorities and security that suits a small team.
- Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
- Interim IT leadership and independent advice as the business grows.
What We Do
Choose a service, or tell us the problem and we will help you work out which one fits.
- HousingChoosing, replacing and getting more from housing systems, with advice on suppliers and contracts.
- Cyber SecurityPlain-English reviews, policies and plans that protect your information and your reputation.
- ISO 27001Preparing your organisation for certification, from gap analysis to audit.
- Data and Information GovernanceSupport with data protection: DPO activities, records of processing (ROPA), data sharing agreements and DPIAs.
- GP PracticesIT, cyber security and information governance support for GP practices, including DSPT help.
- Digital StrategyA practical roadmap that links technology spending to what your organisation is trying to achieve.
- AI AdoptionFinding practical opportunities, checking readiness, setting up governance and helping teams use AI with confidence.
- IT ConsultancyInterim Head of IT, project critical friend, second opinions and project management.
Cyber Security and Assurance
Evidence that you protect information is often asked for in contracts, tenders and funding. We help you prepare for the standards that matter to your sector.
- NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)
- The annual self-assessment for organisations that access NHS patient data and systems. We help you understand what is expected, gather your evidence and complete your submission.
- Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)
- The NCSC framework for judging how well an organisation manages cyber risk. We help you see where you stand against it and plan the improvements that matter most.
- Cyber Essentials
- A government-backed scheme covering the basic technical controls that protect against common attacks. We help you prepare and get ready to certify.
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- The same controls, with hands-on technical testing by an approved assessor. We help you prepare for the testing and fix problems beforehand.
Certificates and assessments are issued by the relevant bodies. We help you prepare for them.
Case Study: Housing Association
Helping a housing association with over 5,000 units modernise its IT and create a digital strategy.
We were contacted because of many challenges in the IT operation, a number of legacy systems and a poor staff perception of IT. We assessed the existing IT, produced a 12-month roadmap and helped create a digital strategy with staff through focus groups, workshops and IT roadshows.
Projects Delivered
- Cloud TelephonyMigrated the existing on-premise telephony system to the cloud, for multiple offices and development sites.
- Housing Management SystemHelped scope, review and procure a new housing management system for repairs, housing, finance and a tenant self-service portal.
- Digital SignageProcured and delivered digital touch signage screens across all development sites.
- Cyber Security AccreditationHelped the organisation gain Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
From the Blog
Practical advice on IT and digital change.
- Understanding DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)16 July 2024. What the EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act is, who it covers and what it requires on ICT risk, incident reporting, testing and third parties.
- Implementing a Housing Management System23 May 2024. A practical guide to choosing and implementing a housing management system, from needs assessment to go-live and continuous improvement.
- Digital Technology Standards for Schools and Colleges23 May 2024. What the Department for Education's revised cyber security standards ask of senior leaders and IT support in schools and colleges.
Ways to Work With Us
Typical fees for our most common starting points. All prices exclude VAT.
Start here
AI Opportunity Review
A short discovery and review of how the business operates, identifying up to three realistic AI opportunities, likely benefits, risks and next steps.
£295–£495 ex VAT
Fixed fee, subject to scope
Put it in place
AI Adoption & Workflow Setup
Configure an agreed, low-risk workflow using suitable existing tools, document the process and train staff. Complex integrations would be quoted separately.
£750–£2,000 ex VAT
Typical project fee
Ongoing support
Fractional IT Leadership
Part-time senior IT leadership for organisations that need direction and oversight without a full-time hire.
£500–£1,500/month ex VAT
Typical monthly retainer
How We Start
Talk It Through
You tell us what you are trying to achieve and what is getting in the way.
Agree the Scope
We set out what we will do, how long it should take and what it will cost.
Get on With It
We do the work and keep you informed in plain language.
Tell Us What You Are Working On.
A few lines is plenty. We will tell you how we can help.