Department of Health and Social Care Opens Applications for Volunteer Service Assessors

Updated: July 4, 2026

The UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is inviting experienced digital, data and technology professionals from across government and the NHS to volunteer as service assessors. The programme gives specialists the opportunity to review digital services before they move through key stages of development, helping teams improve usability, accessibility and overall quality.

The role is open to eligible staff working in government departments, NHS organisations and arm’s length bodies who have practical experience with the Government Service Standard. While the position is unpaid, it provides hands-on professional development and the chance to contribute to better public services across health and care.

What a DHSC service assessor does

A service assessment is an independent review carried out at important points during the life of a digital service. Instead of focusing only on technical delivery, assessment panels examine whether a service genuinely meets user needs, follows accessibility standards, manages risk appropriately and is ready for the next stage of development.

Assessors review evidence provided by delivery teams, ask questions during structured sessions and contribute practical recommendations. The objective is to help teams strengthen their service rather than simply decide whether it passes or fails.

This approach is especially valuable in healthcare, where digital services support patients, clinicians, carers, administrators and other public-sector professionals. Improvements made during an assessment can reduce future operational problems and improve the experience for thousands of users.

Why the Government Service Standard is central

The Government Service Standard provides a common framework for designing and improving public services. It encourages organisations to base decisions on evidence, design around user needs, maintain accessibility, monitor performance and continuously improve services over time.

DHSC uses service assessments to make sure these principles are applied consistently across national health and care services. The process encourages open discussion, constructive challenge and shared learning between experienced professionals from different organisations.

Who is eligible to apply

Applications are welcomed from professionals working in digital, data and technology disciplines, including user researchers, designers, technical architects, technology leads, product managers and performance analysts.

Candidates should have practical knowledge of the Government Service Standard and understand how it applies during the alpha, beta and live phases of service development. Applications are accepted from employees of government organisations, NHS bodies and arm’s length organisations. Contractors may be eligible if they are working on long-term contracts and apply using their host organisation’s email address.

Because the programme requires time away from normal duties, DHSC advises applicants to discuss the commitment with their line manager before submitting an expression of interest.

Training before joining an assessment panel

New assessors complete a five-hour online training session before observing one or two live assessments. Shadowing experienced panels allows volunteers to understand how reviews are conducted, how evidence is evaluated and how balanced recommendations are developed.

The preparation is designed to ensure consistency across assessment panels while giving new volunteers confidence before participating in formal reviews.

Expected annual commitment

After training, volunteers are expected to participate in at least two service assessments each year. Each assessment normally lasts around 4.5 hours, with additional preparation beforehand and written feedback completed within approximately one week after the session.

Although the commitment is relatively modest across a full year, assessors are expected to prepare thoroughly and contribute meaningful feedback throughout the process.

Professional benefits beyond the volunteer role

Serving as an assessor exposes professionals to a wide variety of digital services across the UK health and care system. Volunteers gain insight into different delivery methods, product strategies, accessibility approaches and user research techniques that may not be encountered within their own organisation.

The programme can help strengthen professional networks while giving participants practical experience with cross-government service assurance. Many volunteers are able to apply lessons learned during assessments to improve projects within their own teams.

Professionals interested in wider public-sector digital transformation may find useful background in this related article about AI-powered digital service design.

How to submit an expression of interest

Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements can request an Expression of Interest form by emailing dhsc.digitaltechcontrols@nhs.net. Applicants should confirm they have the necessary experience and management approval before applying.

The recruitment drive forms part of DHSC’s wider effort to strengthen digital delivery across health and care services. By expanding its network of trained volunteer assessors, the department aims to improve service quality, encourage collaboration between specialists and support the development of more accessible, reliable and user-focused public services.