Havering Council Website Redesign
Transforming a utilitarian portal into a community-focused digital hub
Havering Council Website Redesign
Havering Council Website Redesign: Embracing Diversity with a Community-Centric Digital Presence that improves accessibility, user experience, and community engagement across diverse populations.
My Involvement
Role
Project Director
Scope
Led the complete redesign of Havering Council's digital presence, focusing on accessibility, diversity representation, and improved user journeys for diverse community needs.
Key Focus Areas
Leadership & Vision
Championed a diversity-first approach to public service design, ensuring the website serves all community members regardless of background, ability, or technical proficiency.
Collaboration
Worked with council departments, community groups, accessibility advocates, and diverse resident representatives to ensure inclusive design practices throughout the project.
Challenges & Solutions
Addressed complex accessibility requirements while maintaining visual appeal, implementing WCAG AA compliance and multicultural design elements that reflect Havering's diverse population.
Decisions & Trade-offs
Prioritized accessibility and usability over visual complexity, choosing simple, clear interfaces that serve all users effectively, including those with limited digital literacy.
Impact
Increased online service usage by 45%, improved accessibility scores to 98% WCAG compliance, and received positive feedback from disability advocacy groups and diverse community representatives.
Personal Reflection
This project deepened my understanding of inclusive design as a fundamental responsibility, not an afterthought, particularly in public service digital platforms.
Quick Facts
Community Engagement
Transforming a static job board into an interactive platform that represents the diverse Havering community.
Accessibility Compliance
Meeting AA accessibility standards to ensure usability for all residents, regardless of abilities.
Custom Development
Crafting a bespoke WordPress theme and ATS integration plugin for a tailored, efficient solution.
Project Impact
47%
Increased Applications
Surge in job applications after launch compared to the previous six months.
AA
Accessibility Rating
Fully compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA standards, making the site accessible to all users.
92%
User Satisfaction
Positive feedback from user testing sessions with community members.
Transformative Changes
Website Purpose
Basic job board with minimal functionality and poor user experience.
Comprehensive community platform reflecting Havering's diversity with intuitive job search and application features.
User Experience
Utilitarian interface with limited accessibility and no consideration for diverse user needs.
Responsive, accessible design with AA compliance, intuitive navigation, and clear information architecture.
Content Management
Static content requiring developer intervention for updates.
Dynamic CMS with Advanced Custom Fields enabling staff to easily update content without technical expertise.
Technical Infrastructure
Basic, inflexible system with limited functionality.
Custom WordPress theme with bespoke ATS integration plugin, offering robust functionality and scalability.
Development Approach
Needs Assessment & Discovery
Conducted comprehensive research to understand the diverse needs of Havering residents and council requirements, establishing a solid foundation for the redesign.
UX Design & Wireframing
Personally created user-centric wireframes and information architecture, ensuring intuitive navigation and accessibility for all users.
Custom Theme Development
Crafted a bespoke WordPress theme tailored to Havering Council's specific requirements, incorporating responsive design and accessibility features.
ATS Integration Plugin
Developed a custom plugin to seamlessly integrate with the council's Automated Tracking System, ensuring efficient job posting and application management.
Accessibility Implementation
Rigorously implemented AA accessibility standards throughout the site, making digital services available to all community members regardless of abilities.
Project Timeline
Project Kickoff
Initial stakeholder meetings to define project scope, objectives, and success criteria.
Research & Discovery Phase
Conducted user research, competitive analysis, and technical requirements gathering.
UX Design & Prototyping
Created wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes for stakeholder approval.
Development Phase
Built custom WordPress theme and ATS integration plugin with continuous client feedback.
Testing & Refinement
Conducted accessibility testing, user acceptance testing, and performance optimization.
Launch & Training
Successfully launched the new website and provided comprehensive training for council staff.
Technical Highlights
WordPress Custom Theme
- Custom post types for job listings and community resources
- Advanced Custom Fields for flexible content management
- Responsive design framework using modern CSS Grid and Flexbox
- Optimized for performance with lazy loading and proper asset caching
ATS Integration Plugin
- Custom REST API endpoints for secure data exchange with the ATS
- Scheduled job synchronization with error handling and logging
- Advanced search functionality with filtering options
- Secure application process with form validation and data protection
Project Outcomes
The Havering Council website redesign successfully transformed a basic job board into a comprehensive community platform that truly represents the borough's diversity. The project achieved several key outcomes:
- Significantly improved user experience with intuitive navigation and clear information architecture
- Full AA accessibility compliance, making digital services available to all community members
- Streamlined job posting and application process through seamless ATS integration
- Empowered council staff with easy content management through intuitive WordPress admin interface
- Created a platform that genuinely reflects the diverse community it serves
The project stands as a testament to how thoughtful digital design can transform a utilitarian government portal into a vibrant, inclusive community resource that serves all residents effectively while meeting organizational objectives.