Service Design in Practice

This is an 8-month accredited service design course for people working in UK public or third-sector services.

It’s an intensive deep dive into service design that will challenge the way you think and behave. You’ll gain a new confidence and understanding in service design that will change how you work for good.

This is the only accredited service design course in the UK specifically created for public sector organisations that provides an optional pathway to SDN Service Design Practitioner Accreditation.

“I can’t speak highly enough about this course not just for understanding service design but for so much more about influencing and enabling change. I’ve come away from each session feeling energised and with practical tools and techniques I’ve been able to use straight away.” — Laura Sims, Impact Lead, St John’s Ambulance

Five sessions in Cardiff, the remainder online via Teams.

Who it is for

This course is for people who care about improving public services and want the skills, confidence and influence to use service design in their work.

You might be frustrated by services that don’t meet users’ needs, or by projects based on assumptions that waste time and money. You may be changing career, adding new skills, or starting a role that involves service design. No previous experience is required.

Past participants include customer service managers, business analysts, service managers, and people working in user research, content design and service design. Read the blog post about who takes part.

Designed for those in councils, housing associations, government, charities and other nonprofits, Service Design in Practice gives you the mindset, awareness and tools to transform your services.

Accreditation

This training course is a pathway to Service Design Network Service Design Practitioner Accreditation.

It is the only UK-based SDN Accredited Service Design training course specifically created for public service and not-for-profit organisations.

Accreditation is not included in the cost. It is an option at the end of the programme. We will provide you with a 50% discount code for Practitioner Accreditation.

What you will learn

You’ll be guided through three service design projects while developing self-awareness and insight into influencing and supporting people through complex change.

You’ll learn how to:

• frame challenges and question assumptions
• research and understand user needs
• generate ideas beyond obvious solutions
• plan, create and test prototypes cost-effectively
• influence sustainable change in your organisation
• form effective collaborative teams.

See full description.

Your Commitment

10 full days equivalent

Attending the intro session, workshops and coaching sessions virtually and face-to-face at CAVC Business Centre, Cardiff. Spread over eight months.

In addition to the taught sessions:

+1/2 day each week: teamwork

Working collaboratively online with peers, putting learning into practice, preparing for sessions and doing user research.

+1 - 2 hours each week: individual work

Individual self-guided reflection, reading and watching videos.

Course Schedule

Course starts: 30 September 2026

Course ends: 15 April 2027

Please follow this link for the full schedule of dates

Five sessions are in central Cardiff on 30 September, 22 October, 26 November, 14 January and 15 April; the remainder are online.

We keep the group small to give you the best support.

Testimonials

"I really would recommend others to do this training course without a shadow of a doubt. I really enjoyed it - the learning, the making connections with peers and the individual coaching expertly combined to make a huge difference to me and my work." — Owen Burgess, Sport Wales

"As a marketing professional, I was a bit suspicious of Service Design, to begin with.

It's an absolutely brilliant programme. I've learned a hell of a lot from it. I'm now an advocate for service design. The combination of theory, practice and how to influence others has already helped me in my job." — Dave Madge, Cwmpas

“It's really changed my mindset. I came from another organisation where I knew something was wrong but didn't know how to fix it or influence people in the right places - to say that users need to be at the heart of service design.

If I had my time again I would now be able to do things differently. Everything I'm learning here I can see how we can put into practice. I'm already having conversations with colleagues - the future is looking bright!” — Jane Lewis, Welsh Government

Your trainers

Jo Carter, Service Design Lead

Founder Director of Service Design, Jo is an Accredited Service Design Master.

She works exclusively with public service and not-for-proft organisations, helping them to adopt and develop the right skills, tools and culture to solve the difficult challenges the 21st-century presents.

Katie Driver, Collaboration Partner

Formerly a UK Senior Civil Servant, Katie is an experienced trainer, a qualified coach and Strengths Profile practitioner, and an active Time to Think Collegiate member. She is an Accredited Service Design Practitioner.

Katie helps teams think better together, using their rich experiences and ideas to generate new and better ways to make progress on the work that matters.

In-house option

Looking to train your entire team?

We offer in-house programmes tailored to your organisation's needs.

Contact Jo Carter for pricing and details.

• Book a call: Calendly - Jo Carter
• Email: jo@weareserviceworks.com

Questions?

Visit our FAQ's

Book a call with Jo

Email Jo - jo@weareserviceworks.com

Visit the website for further details.

Price

Early Bird £3,750 + VAT - expires 17 July 2026 (or when sold out)

Standard £4,100 + VAT

Discount: 5% for multi purchase

I want to pay by invoice

Contact lisa@weareserviceworks.com and we will enrol you and raise an invoice.