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November 20th, 2008
Lessons from contracting out welfare to work programmes in Australia and the Netherlands
The Government is committed to contracting out delivery of welfare to work programmes and paying providers for getting participants into sustained employment. The main political parties concur that such a ‘welfare market’ will lead to service innovation, improved accountability, better job outcomes, and better customer service and value for money, referring to the success of similar reform in countries like Australia and the Netherlands. This study examines particular lessons from these programmes for this country. The research: Dan Finn, University of Portsmouth. Download: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2306-welfare-unemployment-services.pdf
18 November 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation
November 20th, 2008
A wrong turn in the search for freedom?
The JRF’s recent public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern ’social evils’ on the theme of ‘individualism’. Neal Lawson discusses why we are less happy and why our lives feel more out of control than ever before, despite gaining many individual liberties. Author: Neal Lawson, Chair of Compass and Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute, London Metropolitan University. Download: http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialpolicy/pdf/2286.pdf
18 November 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation
November 19th, 2008
Big Lottery Fund ’should be exclusive to the sector’
Community and voluntary organisations should be the only recipients of Big Lottery Fund money, charity umbrella groups have claimed. In a consultation about future funding launched yesterday - www.big-thinking.org.uk/ , the BLF is asking whether it should extend its current commitment to give 60 to 70 per cent of its money to the voluntary sector, which ends in 2012.
18 November 2008
© Third Sector
November 19th, 2008
Environmental Stewardship delivering the goods, says CLA
The CLA has today (Tuesday, 18 November) welcomed the Countryside Survey’s recognition of the benefits Environmental Stewardship is giving the countryside. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “Take up of Environmental Stewardship Schemes in the last 10 years has shown significant improvements in management of land for the environment. “For example, the survey says there has been a fall of more than nine percent of arable land area which has led to a plant species richness increase of 30 percent. Part of this is due to the arable reversion option Countryside Stewardship.” The survey indicates an increase of nearly seven percent in the area of broadleaved woodland in the last decade, due in part, to land managers planting projects. The CLA President added: “Nearly half of all ‘managed’ hedges are now classified as being in good structural condition – again because of Environmental Stewardship Schemes.
18 November 2008
© CLA
November 19th, 2008
An Introduction to the RDPE Network
This leaflet introduces the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Network. The RDPE Network will support the implementation and evaluation of the RDPE through the exchange of good practice and experience. Download: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/RDPE%206pp%20Access.pdf
18 October 2008
© RDPE
November 19th, 2008
Housing choices and issues for young people in the UK
A review of recent research on the housing choices and issues for young people in the UK. This review has been written ahead of the forthcoming Housing Reform Green Paper, which will include a focus on the improved provision of housing services and options for young people. The review provides a context for considering the changing nature of young people’s housing transitions in recent decades and highlights some of the most pressing housing-related issues facing young people in the UK today. In particular, it explores: housing pathways and the changing nature of youth transitions; young people and housing tenure; changing patterns of relationship and household formation; young people, housing and money; the housing transitions of vulnerable groups; key policy issues in relation to young people and housing; and future directions. Download: www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2325-young-people-housing.pdf
18 November 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation
November 19th, 2008
Mediation at work
A recent factsheet from personnel professionals’ body CIPD (but written by Acas) explains what mediation is, how it works and looks at factors to consider when implementing mediation in an organisation, www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/empreltns/general/mediation.htm This is a summary of a more detailed guide, mentioned in earlier news item, at http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1364
18 November 2008
© VoluntaryNews
November 17th, 2008
Volunteering England toolkit launched for Further Education Colleges
“Volunteering England has produced this authoritative,well-researched resource that explains step-by-step how to improve Further Education through developing student volunteering programmes. This publication will guide you through some of the great work that is transforming our institutions, our communities and, ultimately, our students’ lives.” Frank McLoughlin, Principal, City and Islington College. This step-by-step guide will take you through the initial stages of developing student volunteering programmes and how you can set up successful, sustainable projects that enrich the lives of your learners. Together with an online resource, you’ll have all the tools and information you need to get started with setting up a project in an F.E. college. Download: http://www.volunteering.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/894F047C-394A-48CB-8AA9-7D99CC80E26A/0/SVEhandbook_finallo.pdf
17 November 2008
© Volunteering England
November 17th, 2008
Concise Guide to the Compact
The Commission for the Compact has published a Concise Compact Guide, designed to act as a reference tool and checklist to help public sector and third sector organisations. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, the Compact is the agreement which sets out shared commitments and guidelines for working between government and the third sector. This concise guide is intended for both sectors and explains why the Compact applies, as well as highlighting relevant undertakings. Download the Guide (pdf, 494KB): http://www.thecompact.org.uk/files/102396/FileName/TheConciseCompactGuide.pdf
17 November 2008
© Commission for the Compact
November 17th, 2008
Costs and outcomes of an extra-care housing scheme in Bradford
The aim of this study was to assess as accurately as possible the comparative cost before and after residents moved to a new extra-care housing scheme in Bradford. The importance of extra-care housing in the current policy context is illustrated by the level of financial investment. Each year since 2003 the Department of Health has provided capital funding to support its development. However, there is a lack of evidence about the potential, the costs and benefits, and consequently the cost-effectiveness, of extra-care housing. This report:
estimates comprehensive costs for each of the broad cost components (accommodation, social care, health services, living expenses and informal care), which together represent the weekly cost of a resident’s living arrangement; interprets cost differences before and after the move in the context of outcomes and needs of residents; identifies a number of methodological implications for future studies. Download: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2276-housing-care-costs.pdf
17 November 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation