Weeknotes, Friday 13 December

It’s been a slightly shorter week as we had a team day in the office on Thursday. Fun to see everyone as we hurtle towards Christmas.

Back button bedlam

We had some issues with the way the back button works on LocalGov Drupal forms, particularly when trying to ask one question per page. We’ve made things extra complicated as we’re trying to use it for Smart Answers style forms.

With some help from a developer, it seems like we cracked it. We had a bit of uncertainty over whether we needed custom code to do what we’re trying to, or if we just need to understand how to use the slightly complex form builder a bit better. Turns out it’s the latter, which was probably not the best use of the devs time, but we got there in the end.

Meeting care leaver professionals

Having worked with one care leaver service manager for quite some time now, I finally managed to meet a few more from different parts of Essex, which was great. They shared their thoughts and feedback on the online content we have at the moment, pointing out a couple of areas of confusion (like, you can get driving lessons paid for, but lots of care leavers ask about moped licenses).

Shared some new wording that removes language around ‘separated migrants’ and focuses on the tasks you might need to complete (support with immigration status). They’re ok with it so we can proceed, and hopefully test the new wording with care leavers at some point.

Sharing old bits and bobs

Met a lovely contractor that’s come in to develop a new website that’s all to do with sustainability. We’d looked at the information architecture (IA) of our environment and climate content about 6 months ago, and made a proposal to improve it, but this was paused as decisions were made around whether to develop a new microsite for this subject.

We shared what we have from back then, some of it is less relevant now, but hopefully helpful context.

Team retro

Our head of product Laura led a retro of the year at our in person team day. This was really good, and I was excited to hear her talk about developing user tested patterns next year, including improving our form design across a complex landscape.

Distractions

Listening

Seed of a Seed by Haley Heynderickx

Lots of Slipknot as seeing them with by brother next week — a teenage nostalgia trip.

Watching

Black Doves on Netflix, very fun spy shenanigans.