The importance of complementing the school day with out of hours learning is becoming clear with announcements of new funding. These activities have become popular with parents and teachers who believe that they increase self-esteem, improve attendance and help pupils to become more effective learners.Kellogs in association with Education Learning will fund an award scheme for new breakfast clubs and the expansion of existing clubs with a 185 million pound fund. Education Extra is a charity which aims to promote study support as a means of raising pupil achievement.

Read more on NEW FUNDING FOR OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS LEARNING…

Criticism of councils by Social Security Minister Angela Eagle for poor performance in paying Housing and Council Tax Benefits has caused tension in the welfare partnership between central and local government. Her claim that in far too many cases people claiming benefits receive a slow and inefficient service is not in doubt. Her less than frank analysis of the problem is causing irritation.Ministerial promises of a simplified Housing Benefit system have not been delivered and the focus has moved from simplification to fraud reduction. With a target to reduce all benefit fraud by 30% in 5 years attention has been concentrated on tightening the procedures for processing claims, including a requirement to produce additional documentary evidence. Last year 80 changes to the system were issued by the Department for Social Security, some of which required software changes. In addition, the promise to provide remote access terminals to all councils to allow them to view the Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support databases is behind schedule.

Read more on JOINED UP WORKING SHOWING THE JOINS…

Tim Pickles and Penny SharlandThis is a flexible resource from which individuals can extract materials as appropriate. The pack includes background material and 11 issue-focused chapters each with an introduction and practical activities designed to assist in applying the material to specific situations. It provides a range of accessible and relevant strategies that will assist managers and staff teams in public sector agencies and not-for-profit organisations in preparing for and surviving change.

Read more on TOOLKITS FOR MANAGING CHANGE…