Join the GDS Local 2026 Hackathon for a fun and collaborative 2 day event aimed at developing a thematic tech solution for public services!

Join the GDS Local Hackathon!

Hosted by the Government Digital Service, the National Data Library, the Local Government Association, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Sheffield Hallam University on the 8th and 9th of September.

Ready to hack for good?

If you are passionate about using your skills to tackle one of the most urgent problems facing our communities - giving every child the best start in life – read on!

We’re bringing together coders, creators, local government and central government colleagues, academics and more to co-create bold, tech-powered ideas that could change the lives of UK citizens.

This hackathon build on the NDL’s Early Years’ Kickstarter which, working with Leeds City Council, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, and councils across the Liverpool City Region, has explored how safely connecting data across health, education, and childcare services can help professionals spot developmental needs earlier and get families the right support faster, with robust safeguards throughout.

Participants will work in teams to develop practical solutions for early years interventions, share learning and build connections across the public sector, using their expertise to explore how data and digital innovation can help demonstrate the value of sharing health visiting and early years services data to early identifications.

Join us on 8th & 9th of September in at Sheffield Hallam University for a two-day hackathon, where you will get the opportunity to work directly with experts across the sector to create solutions for early years interventions. Over the course of 48 hours, teams will collaborate and respond to challenge statements and explore digital solutions.

How does it work?

As part of the registration process, you will complete a short skills survey to help us better understand your expertise and interests. If you have any suggestions for challenge statements on the topic of early years interventions that might benefit from data, digital and AI, please feel free to include these.

If selected to attend, at the event we will put you in a collaborative team of individuals with different experience and skills. Whether you are a domain expert, product manager, service designer, developer, data practitioner, local government or central government professional, your knowledge and perspective will be valuable.

What to expect?

Building on our previous successful Local Government Innovation Hackathons, participants can expect:

· Building real world working prototypes that could be used in local councils to demonstrate the value of sharing this data to early identification

· Collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams to explore real-world challenges

· Hearing from experts in health and education data

· Connection with others to improve outcomes for vulnerable communities

Who should attend?

This hackathon is open to different skill levels and backgrounds including:

· Professionals with experience in early years, health and education service delivery

· Data scientists and analysts

· UX/UI designers

· Developers and engineers

· Policy makers

· Digital innovators

· Anyone passionate about digital innovation in public services

We will prioritise applications from local government practitioners, but welcome applications from anyone who can bring expertise, creativity and enthusiasm to designing tools for local government early years services.

Register now

Spaces are limited, so register your interest today and be part of a community working to address one of society’s most urgent challenges.

Please note: registration does not guarantee your place, we will be in touch in due course to confirm whether you have been successful and are invited to attend.

Privacy Notice

We take your privacy seriously. Your responses on registration will remain confidential and will only be used for the purposes of organising the event.

The information you provide, including your department, will help us understand the diverse perspectives from different sectors and ensure effective team compositions.

Your comments may be shared with senior leaders and relevant teams involved in the hackathon to illustrate how participant insights have informed our planning and facilitation.

This privacy notice explains how we handle the data collected from you and how it will be used.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact us at: GDS-local@dsit.gov.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.