Category: Resources

Linking Thinking evaluation

Evaluation ( pdf – 251 KB) of the ‘Linking Thinking’ programme, a cross-agency initiative to build the skills, knowledge and confidence of staff in the Government Office for the East of England, East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) who were involved with LSPs and neighbourhood partnerships.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=169

VCS mapping in Luton & Bedfordshire

Mapping voluntary and community organisations in Luton and Bedfordshire ( pdf 139KB) report on mapping research to identify VCOs with a potential interest in services to be provided by Luton and Dunstable Partnership’s ESF Capacity Building Project, aimed at building capacity within the sector in addressing worklessness. Involved interviews, desk research and an on-line survey.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=168

Kickstart development

Kickstart Norfolk: evidence of jobs and accessibility needs in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire

Project investigating needs amongst disadvantaged people for moped loan and work-based learning, service impact, and potential to develop Kickstart across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. This included consideration of cost benefit evidence and arguments. Kickstart is a well-established project, helping to overcome travel barriers to employment and training, especially – but not exclusively – aimed at young people in rural areas.Kickstart have since won several £m in contracts, assisting nearly 3,000 people into jobs or training in the process.

Report available for download ( 1783KB).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=166

Reducing Inequality Review

The Reducing Inequality Review, for Brighton & Hove Council and the 2020 Community Partnership (LSP) analysed existing evidence on dimensions of inequality in the city, across neighbourhoods, groups and communities of interest, before proceeding to review the contribution of local policies in reducing inequalities and disadvantage and consider future priorities. The review was undertaken jointly by Educe and Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI), and carried out in two phases:

  • Phase one was essentially a needs assessment for the city, intended to set the scene for Phase two.
  • Phase two offered recommendations for approaches and strategies for reducing inequality in the city, which fed directly into the preparation of the new Local Area Agreement (LAA)

We worked with a steering group made up of various stakeholders, with the project involving over 100 people in the research, soundings and evidence gathering. The Reducing Inequality Review brought together for partners, for the first time, a substantial range of evidence to enable a coherent and up-to-date understanding of the needs of the city. The Council regard the review as an example of best practice in how cities can develop a sense of their local identity and the opportunities available.

The Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports are available for download from the Brighton & Hove Council website.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=163

Data Sharing for Neighbourhood Renewal

Data Sharing for Neighbourhood Renewal: Lessons from the North West analyses barriers to effective data sharing for neighbourhood renewal at a local, regional and national level, illustrates good and promising practice, and draws out success factors. Highlights the importance of leadership within partnerships; skills in making the case for sharing; understanding the legal context; and the use of technology, networks and protocols.

Report  (pdf 393KB), and summary  (pdf 168KB)

The report also featured in the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) report, Inclusion Through Innovation – Tackling Social Exclusion Through New Technologies.

Data sharing overview ( pdf 85KB) and case study of data sharing in the Wigan and Leigh Community Safety Partnership ( pdf 68KB) prepared for Renewal.net (2005).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=219

Five Vital Lessons: Successful Partnerships with Business

Five Vital Lessons: Successful Partnership with Business was an interactive website featuring tools, good practice lessons and case studies relating to getting the most out economic development partnerships involving the private sector. Aims to help you achieve your common goals with less pain and more gain.

Tools included:

  • High Performing Partnerships (how well is your partnership performing?)
  • Partnership Life Cycle (work out how to make your partnership more productive)
  • Involving the Private Sector (ways of maximising the benefits of business involvement in partnerships)
The tool was originally developed (with GFA Consulting) for the Department for Education and Skills in April 2001.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=141