The Work and Pensions Select Committee has published a new report on the performance of the Work Programme. The report places special emphasis on gaining greater insight to participants’ satisfaction, making sure those furthest from the labour market are supported effectively, improving employer engagement, and ensuring there are measurable standards with which to guarantee quality.
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
12 July 2012
Often a false choice is drawn between generic and specialist services but in reality, both are needed to meet the needs of disadvantaged BME communities. It is not an either/or decision. Specialist services need to be valued and invested in to provide the reach and deliver the necessary services for communities that others do not reach.
Voice4Change England and NAVCA believe that specialist services are an essential means of delivering both more equitable and more efficient public services. Their briefing provides a series of ten recommendations for commissioners to highlight how they can best meet the needs of our diverse communities.
You can download a copy of Specialist Services: A Guide for Commissioners from the Voice4Change England website.
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes
Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West
The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.
An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
