SOCIAL SOFTWARE TO INTRODUCE eYOIS – MAKING PREVENTION A REALITY BY NOT JUST TELLING THE NUMBERS, BUT ALSO THE STORIES BEHIND THEM

Social Software will officially introduce ‘eYOIS’, a new Youth Offending Information System application to the youth justice market in April 2006. eYOIS is an advanced application specifically designed for enhanced case management - enabling ‘real-time’, electronic data exchange between diverse software applications and systems used by different agencies. eYOIS also offers web-enabled flexibility, providing secure access for remote working, wherever and whenever it is needed. Social Software is in the vanguard of those who are facilitating a social welfare system revolution.

Social Software www.socialsoftware.co.uk is one of the UK’s leading information management services for the public sector. The group specialises in the provision of software applications and support services to the social welfare community. Social Software is staffed uniquely by individuals with extensive experience in social welfare practice, individuals who are passionate about better outcomes for Children, Young People and their Families.

Successful YOT services are based on effective case management practices and transparent team working. This entails structured and systematic recording practices coupled with a proactive business, information management and learning strategy. YOISPlus+ (Youth Offending Information System) from Social Software is a core system for more than 70% of YOTs in England and Wales and is seen as the ‘best of breed’ software option, rendering the recording, managing and evaluation of good practice even easier. eYOIS builds on the YOISPlus+ system for those youth offending teams that are ready to work with web-enabled software and want a fully accessible, but highly secure, system wherever they work. It makes YOISPlus+ available to its users securely via any web-browser, on-line, instantly no matter where they are or what operating system they are using, whether that is Windows 2000/XP, Novell or Linux. eYOIS also features eQED which allows for easy and efficient web-based researching and reporting, identifying offending patterns and frequencies within the data allowing for immediate action and thus prevention.

Gateway technology, is delivered as a part of the eYOIS solution and ensures compatibility and data exchange between all leading eGOV-compliant systems and service hubs. It allows two-way, real-time data sharing both within and across agencies, between eYOIS and other systems. It also allows for users to access previous case data stored on an old system and so eliminates the expense of any costly data migration to eYOIS. By providing a multi-agency view of case details it allows for integrated recording and planning to help identify problems and decide on the best action to take. Being fully integrated with Gateway, eYOIS provides the most comprehensive MIS package for Youth Justice Services

“Mobile and seamless electronic data-sharing might seem a distant prospect for some public sector agencies. But for Social Software customers it is a practical reality. This is particularly important in relation to youth offending and prevention of offending as this can have an immediate and beneficial impact on, young people at risk, their families and the communities in which they live. The Gateway facilitates data-sharing between all eGOV-compliant systems, including Social Software’s eYOIS and eUMIS, across different agencies, so those working in Prevention and Youth Offending Teams can fully engage in information exchange wherever they work, allowing practitioners immediate access to all perspectives of a case. This results in a more holistic approach that promotes better decisions and minimises the risk of serious oversight; such an important issue as recent news stories make clear.”

Marc Radley, Managing Director of Social Software

Social Software was founded 20 years ago by Marc Radley, who has an MSc in both IT and Management, along with extensive experience of working in the local authority and voluntary organisation sectors in Youth Justice and the full range of Child Care services. He is one of the UK’s leading experts and advocates the use of products such as eYOIS and Gateway, which he believes will provide a fuller picture of individual social welfare cases.



Notes to Editors:

Social Software provides fully implemented and supported software solutions to the social welfare community, and also bespoke development, consultancy, advice and guidance, workshops, seminars and application training.