Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
10 October 2012
Following on from previous research and work over the last year with their Special Interest Group, NCVO are building a detailed picture of what it’s like to be a Work Programme subcontractor.
They have found that, in many areas, not much progress has been made since they asked similar questions in late 2011 about how well the programme was functioning.
The main issues from the latest research are that:
Some members are saying that concerns about the programme are overstated. NCVO agree that the picture isn’t all bad – there’s lots of good practice out there that they’re very keen to hear about and share. Their concern is that without specialist providers included, and of course many of those will be in the sector, that the programme won’t succeed and that some of the most vulnerable jobseekers will lose out.
Link
The Work Programme - Perceptions and Experiences of the Voluntary Sector
Navca demands improvements in Work Programme after MPs voice fraud fears (Third Sector)
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
