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Aug 11 2011
Brokering business connections
Evaluation of the Business Broker Programme – final report (Brokering Business Connections) for Business in the Community (BitC) and the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) on the national pilot programme, testing out the role of Business Brokers supporting business involvement in Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and neighbourhood renewal.
Download full report here.
The evaluation informed the subsequent development of Business Connectors, a “powerful network of secondments recruited from business … to tackle social issues in local neighbourhood areas, and in so doing, create a powerful new development experience for talented business people”. This was seen as a contribution to the Cameron Government’s agenda for the Big Society, with a major expansion funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=156
Jun 04 2011
Doncaster Work & Skills Plan
Derrick Johnstone advised Doncaster Council and the Work and Skills Steering Group of Doncaster Together on their Work and Skills Plan. This built on the Local Economic Assessment and set out to make the most of the added value of partnership working, in the context of far-reaching changes in funding and national policy. It provided the basis for discussions on the introduction locally of the DWP Work Programme, and prioritised action around employer engagement; labour market intelligence; information, advice and guidance; and targeted support for individuals and families. It has also informed the work of South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership on skills.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=278
Jun 04 2011
Responding to public sector redundancies
We worked with Kevin Griffiths of Chrysalis Outcomes for a client in the West Midlands to assess the likely local impact of public sector redundancies and options open to local partners to mitigate the worst effects. Questions posed of local partners have included:
- restructuring plans and redundancy profiles
- support made available for staff who are leaving, including outplacement
- prospects for alternative employment, especially where job growth is expected in the private sector
Recommendations addressed action by the public sector employers, Chamber of Commerce and College.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=273
Apr 04 2011
Customer Insight Skills Audit
Humber Innovation Partnership – formed by the four Humber councils and other public sector partners – commissioned a Customer Insight Skills Audit as part of their Customer Insight Programme. Its objectives were to:
- take stock of the state of play in developing customer insight, including how customer insight is perceived and addressed
- highlight good practice on which to build, and how to increase returns to insight activities
- identify skills gaps and how best to meet these, notably through making the most of existing knowledge and expertise
The research was carried out primarily through an online survey aimed at strategic and service managers and analysts, and through face-to-face interviews.The report (
pdf 568KB) sets out the state of play on customer insight, factors driving and constraining its further development, skill requirements, gaps and expertise. There are recommendations for driving the agenda forward and for developing skills and capacity at LA level and across the Humber.
pdf 568KB) sets out the state of play on customer insight, factors driving and constraining its further development, skill requirements, gaps and expertise. There are recommendations for driving the agenda forward and for developing skills and capacity at LA level and across the Humber.Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=270
Mar 21 2011
Customer Insight and Research in the East Midlands
This project, promoted by East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (EMIEP), sought to make the case for continued investment in customer insight and research, by demonstrating how these activities can lead to better and more efficient services. There were two strands: first, skills workshops and networking relating to customer insight, data analysis and research; and secondly, a series of sub-regional demonstration projects using statistical analysis, social research and insight methods to investigate different aspects of getting 16 to 18 year olds into employment, education or training. These projects explored, for instance, the needs and experiences of young people in rural areas, teenage mothers, and triggers for young people disengaging and getting involved in anti-social behaviour. Typically they involved analysis of Connexions client data and qualitative field research. There was strong interest in identifying risk factors to reduce the likelihood of young people becoming NEET. Derrick Johnstone played an advisory role as a Local Improvement Advisor, helping to shape the programme and input on practice elsewhere. This involvement follows an earlier LIA assignment for EMIEP reviewing customer insight and R&I in the region.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=255
Dec 21 2010
Working Neighbourhoods Fund Project Study
Derrick Johnstone was commissioned as a Local Improvement Advisor (LIA) to help Communities and Local Government (CLG) gather a picture of the use and impact of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) as of March 2010, updating the findings of the WNF Evaluation Scoping Report, which reviewed progress in implementing the programme a year earlier. Derrick advised on the approach to gathering the data and drew together a report based on information collected by a team of LIAs. The report, published by the Department of Communities and Local Government, WNF Project Study, highlighted a range of good and innovative practices and available evidence of impact.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=267