This discussion paper published jointly by ODPM and the Treasury is intended to stimulate debate around developing a more devolved approach to improving outcomes. It examines the development of a more effective and flexible performance framework to secure public services that are better focused on the needs of local people. The paper emphasises the opportunities for users and local people to influence local priorities and the design and delivery of services.It describes the potential for developing an increasingly area based approach between councils and their partners – with greater focus on accountability between local partners in achieving common outcomes for the area. It also examines the relevance of strategic, integrated relationship management through Government Offices to tailor negotiations, co-ordinate engagement and support, and challenge and respond to significant under-performance. It also stresses the need for better and more transparent information to underpin any effective performance system.

Read more on SECURING BETTER OUTCOMES: DEVELOPING A NEW PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK…

A special online training course is being launched for people who want to work in the voluntary sector. The free course will begin at the end of April as part of a pilot project run by Working For A Charity, which is part of the Workforce Development Team at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.Training will be conducted online through Roehampton University’s Virtual Learning Environment, WebCT Vista. Elaine Smethurst, from Working For A Charity said an online course was perfect for people without the time to attend a daytime course, or who did not want to spend time travelling to central London. “We suggest that participants dedicate around three hours per week for four weeks at whatever time suits them – you could log on at 3am if that is the best time for you,” she said.

Read more on ONLINE TRAINING LAUNCHED FOR VOLUNTARY SECTOR CAREER SEEKERS…

Public sector organisations are set to spend a further 20 billion pounds on outsourcing services. The figure, set out in new research by Kable, represents a growth of 50 per cent between the financial year just ended and 2006-7. “The UK public sector outsourcing: the big picture to 2006/07″ is the first published assessment of total public sector outsourcing values and trends.Kable’s report forecasts that the outsourcing market will grow from just under 45 billion pounds to more than 67 billion in the period under review.

Read more on BIG GROWTH FORECAST IN PUBLIC SECTOR OUTSOURCING…