The Challenge

Affinity began supporting the Public Appointments website back in 2019 when it was hosted on WordPress. Since then, we’ve seen quite a transformation. The site has transitioned to a more sophisticated  platform built on Node.js. This platform shift now means the site requires a higher level of support, with a greater focus on performance, security, and scalability. Affinity’s role has expanded significantly since those early days to include; maintaining the web application, managing the AWS infrastructure, integrating the platform with a third-party ATS system and GOV.UK Notify for messaging services.

The Public Appointments platform is incredibly important - it is the central space for  advertising roles in public bodies and facilitating the application process. Ensuring its high availability, security, and responsiveness is essential to supporting the government’s public recruitment efforts. As part of this contract, we’ve taken on the responsibility of managing the infrastructure, improving the platform’s performance, and ensuring the smooth operation of its APIs - all while maintaining strict compliance with government security standards. It’s been no small feat.

The Solution

Our role is all about ongoing support and collaboration and we take pride in this, providing ongoing consultation, maintenance, and proactive monitoring. We provided key advice during the migration from GOV.UK PaaS to AWS, ensuring the infrastructure was set up for long-term success. Now, we manage the AWS environments, utilising CloudFormation for consistency and auditability, because a solid foundation is key.

One of the key elements of our support strategy is our involvement in the weekly development cycle led by the Cabinet Office. In these sessions, we:

• Review new code - we work closely with the internal development team, reviewing new code and sharing expert advice on best practices
• Ensure continuous development - see that processes align with the broader goals of stability and security. 
• Stay up-to-date - regular meetings  keep us informed on any new feature releases and potential changes that could affect the site.

To maintain the platform’s reliability, we implemented automated testing and Sentry monitoring. Sentry has become a trusted tool for us, allowing the team to track performance, monitor for real-time errors, and resolve potential issues before they become larger problems. Our automated testing ensures that any new code integrated into the platform works seamlessly with existing features without causing regressions.

Challenges and Risk Mitigation

Of course, the migration from GOV.UK PaaS to AWS came with its l challenges, especially regarding continuity of service. But we rose to the occasion! The team supported the migration by advising the transition team and ensuring a smooth and streamlined handover. Post-migration, our focus has been on maintaining high availability, optimising performance, and ensuring the platform is future-proofed for scalability.

The weekly development sprints run by the Cabinet Office introduce regular changes to the platform, which can introduce risks if not properly managed. We mitigate this risk by staying actively engaged in the development process, reviewing code and attending sessions. By using tools like Sentry and automated testing, we identify and address any potential issues before they escalate, ensuring the platform remains reliable and effective.

The Results

Since we began supporting the migration to AWS and integrating ourselves into the continuous development cycle, we have helped improve the overall performance, stability, and security of the Public Appointments platform. By actively participating in weekly development sprints and staying aligned with the Cabinet Office’s evolving needs, we have ensured that new features and updates are deployed smoothly without affecting the site’s core performance.

Our proactive approach to monitoring, testing, and advising has significantly reduced downtime and there has been a noticeable improvement in user satisfaction. The platform continues to serve as an essential tool for public sector recruitment, and our continuous involvement ensures it evolves to meet the growing demands of its users. 

It’s been great to watch this project thrive and evolve and we are proud to have played a part in its success.