Category: Resources
Learning to Deliver – support for LSPs and LAAs in the West Midlands
As part of our work for the Learning to Deliver programme (Improvement & Efficiency West Midlands), we produced a series of topical briefings relevant to the work of partners in LSPs. These included:
Five Steps to Better Outcomes (
pdf 583KB): a guide to delivery planning, assisting local partners in making a success of Local Area Agreements, working out how best to achieve community outcomes. These were produced between 2008 and 2010 for Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=131
Local authorities in the East Midlands have been spending considerable time collating datasets for strategic assessment and service improvement. Responsibility for collation is typically spread across a range of services in councils (and partners) creating the risk of duplication. Data managers and their teams have been carrying out large amounts of work to repackage nationally available data for local needs.Analytical capacity has been stretched by such demands and available data are not always used to the full. Research and intelligence has not always been joined up where and when it matters – within local authorities and across partners.Derrick Johnstone was commissioned by the East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership to undertake a scoping project to:
- clarify common needs for improved access to, and use of data, including the use of tools such as MOSAIC, ACORN and OAC (ONS) and the resources of regional and sub-regional observatories
- identify the potential for further pan-regional collaboration, including ways of developing and making better use of regional and sub-regional R&I infrastructure
- assess models for joint use and acquisition of Customer Insight packages, along with potential savings through joint procurement arrangements
- identify priorities for learning and sharing good practice, to inform the future work of the Improvement and Efficiency Partnership
The report provided the basis for regional consultation, and led to the East Midlands Customer Insight and Research project, on which Derrick acted as an advisor. This project had two strands: one to developing skills and networks relating to research and analysis; the other a series of sub-regional demonstration projects applying customer insight and research methods in seeking to raise aspirations and the reduce the numbers of young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training).
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=240
Key Findings report from our evaluation of the ‘Supporting Evidence for Local Delivery’ programme, introduced by central government in 2005 to promote better use of data, research and evidence in neighbourhood renewal through the provision of technical assistance to Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and neighbourhood renewal partnerships. Published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG).
The research evaluated the quality and impact of four regional pilots and the programme as a whole, and researched analytical skills and skills gaps within partnerships in neighbourhood renewal-funded areas. The key findings emphasised strengthening skills and capacity at all levels, addressing needs within Local Area Agreements and responding to the challenge of the government’s review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration.
Further analysis from the SELD research subsequently featured in the CLG report, ‘Supporting Local Information and Research’, published in January 2009.
Project led by Educe with the Centre for Regional Economic Development (University of Cumbria), CENTRIS and Makesfive Ltd.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=117
The South East England Regional Assembly undertook a Select Committee (scrutiny) investigation into SEEDA and Sub-Regional Working. We were commissioned with Makesfive to prepare the Context and Issues paper, feeding into the Select Committee held on 16 January 2009.
The focus was in particular on how effectively SEEDA’s approach to working with a range of partners and partnerships at sub-regional level helps to deliver
both the Regional Economic Strategy and address local needs and priorities.The South East England Regional Assembly subsequently published its
report and recommendations (112KB. These sat within the context of implementation of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR), and related to:
- the need for greater co-ordination and alignment, notably through a joint approach to locality investment planning
- extending the cross-organisational task force approach within SEEDA in tackling specific issues, including work around ‘priority places’
- supporting and enabling co-ordination of local economic assessments
- improving communications, including dissemination of research and evaluation and strengthening the use of the SEEDA website
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=230
Project scoping work needed to analyse the impacts, financial costs and benefits of neighbourhood management initiatives in Barnsley, to provide evidence for decision makers considering the introduction of neighbourhood management approaches in other areas. The project sought to generate better shared understanding of available data and gaps in evidence, and what needs to be done to address these. It built on initial business case work undertaken by the Kendray Neighbourhood Management pathfinder, and looked to integrate current evaluation thinking with developments in pursuit of the local government efficiency agenda. (Neighbourhood Renewal Adviser assignment for Barnsley Council and the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber)Download:
The assignment informed the subsequent development of a new Neighbourhoods and Community Engagement Framework, which mainstreamed the work of the Kendray neighbourhood management pathfinder.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=189
Inspire East Evaluation 2007 (
pdf 1203KB) – assessment of the impact of the regional centre of excellence for sustainable communities in the East of England. Follows work on the evaluation framework and baseline in 2006.
This involved research into the impact of Inspire East services (seminars and workshops, publications, website, etc) and wider influence of Inspire East on policy and practice in the region.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=118
