This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It examines flexible working – a major change in working practice soon to have an impact on many public bodies as well as private sector organisations. Flexible working means many things to many people, however there is strong consensus that the flexibility of time and place of work offers considerable benefits for staff and the organisation from operational efficiencies to improved staff retention and work-life balance.The programme looks at the opportunities for flexible working and how new working practices can be successfully introduced by public bodies into individual departments, service lines and across entire organisations. The programme includes case studies, interviews and panel discussions.
Disadvantaged youngsters are being poorly served because local authorities and voluntary organisations are not working together effectively, according to a report from the Prince’s Trust and the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. The report is based on a survey of heads of children’s and youth services in English councils, who were asked about their relationships with the voluntary sector.It finds that partnership working needs to be improved so all young people, and especially those that are hard to reach, receive a better service. Of those surveyed 955 accepted that they could improve performance by working more closely with voluntary groups.
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A survey today shows that only two per cent of people see abuse of elderly people as a priority, in spite of evidence that suggests it affects as many as 1 in 8 older people. The results are published by Help The Aged as it launches a campaign to raise awareness of the problem of elderly people being abused through violence, neglect and financial exploitation.Today’s findings, taken from research conducted for the charity by Andrew Irving Associates, show that tackling child abuse, cancer and cruelty to animals top a list of issues cited by the public as the causes they would most readily support. The researchers found, though, that prevailing taboos could be lifted with respondents being far more willing to identify abuse of older people as a priority once they were prompted. About two thirds of those questioned eventually cited the issue as one they felt strongly about.
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