By Antony Morgan and Catherine SwannThe authors investigate the relevance of the concept of social capital to health development. The definition of social capital includes facets such as sociability, social networks, trust, reciprocity, and community and civic engagement. The fundamental principle behind the concept is that social capital is constituted by the extent to which people are embedded within their family relationships, social networks and communities, and have a sense of belonging and civic identity. The authors explore ways of measuring social capital and probe the links with health across a range of population groups. Their findings provide more clarity to policy makers and practitioners on how social capital can contribute to the current inequalities agenda.
Diversity in Local Government is still a long way off according to the results of a nine year research project which has led to the publication of two reports described as a ‘wake up call’ for local councils.The studies – commissioned by the IDeA and co-funded with Leadership Research and Development Ltd – look at the career success of local government managers according to ethnicity, gender, age and disability. Information was collected over a nine-year period, and more than 3,000 local government managers were involved. The Agency says the reports raise important issues concerning performance feedback, competency appraisal and discrimination within local government.
Read more on LOCAL GOVERNMENT GETS WAKE UP CALL ON DIVERSITY…
A project in which three local authorities use state of the art technology to prevent young people straying into criminal behaviour has been singled out for praise for its contribution to progress towards meeting e-Government targets. The RYOGENS – Reducing Youth Offending Generic Solution National Project has successfully completed the first phase of its pilot scheme.The project is one of 23 schemes funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as the cornerstones of the Local e-Government programme to e-enable all local authority services by 2005. RYOGENS is a partnership between Warwickshire, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets councils and is fully supported by the Youth Justice Board.
Read more on PRAISE FOR PROJECT USING TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT OFFENDING…