Technological equipment and systems, known as Telecare, whilst not a replacement for one-to-one contact, can provide support and independence for older people. It may help them feel safer and it may help relieve some of the anxieties of their families and carers.
Read more on WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TELECARE AND TELEHEALTH…
ByJohn Enstone*
Deficit reduction measures are producing slimmer budgets. In the struggle to preserve frontline services public bodies are searching for ways to do the same with less. Outsourcing is one avenue to explore. Costs can be reduced, but that is not always the result. The author sets out the pros and cons of outsourcing.
Deficit reduction measures across the public sector are impacting heavily on the construction industry. ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, is predicting a steep fall off in projects for 2011 with a continuing decline for the next five years. The outlook for infrastructure projects, such as rail and road construction is much better.
The Localism Bill will move power from Whitehall to the town halls. But when it comes to the funds councils spend on publicity, Whitehall now wants to tighten its grip. The Communities and Local Government Parliamentary Committee argues that the proposed code of conduct on publicity is in direct conflict with localism.
This report seeks to place an economic value on the benefits that are produced by regeneration policies in line with the recommendations of HM Treasury. It sets out a conceptual framework that can be used to value the benefits. The report also assesses the existing evidence base in relation to valuing regeneration.
Employers are reluctant to take on young people unless they have had some work experience. Currently, gaining work experience beyond two weeks can result in loss of benefit. Under the new scheme there will be no loss of benefit for the first eight weeks.
Read more on NEW SCHEME TACKLES YOUNG PEOPLE’S LACK OF EXPERIENCE…
Newcomers to incapacity benefit face a long journey back to work. The Pathways to Work initiative is aimed at improving job opportunities for people on incapacity benefits. But the process is long and protracted and figures from the DWP show that only 14 percent actually find work within one year.
Read more on A LONG JOURNEY TO WORK FOR INCAPACITY BENEFIT RECIPIENTS…
The Health Bill proposes wide-sweeping reform of the NHS, by placing greater commissioning powers in the hands of GPs and by giving local authorities responsibility for delivering public health improvements. London Councils and the Society of IT Management call for the reforms to support closer working between the NHS and local councils.
Read more on LOCAL COUNCILS WILL PLAY VITAL ROLE IN HEALTH REFORM…
Despite some major initiatives in recent years to improve reading and writing, the standards being reached by some groups of children and young people still fall far below that of the rest of the population. Ofsted inspectors looked at the barriers to good literacy and found that poor development of speaking and listening skills at an early age is holding children back from learning to read and write.
Read more on POOR SPEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS A BARRIER TO LITERACY SAYS OFSTED…
© PublicNet is a KnowShare production | Technology by Jag Singh + Hilton & Hilton Ltd | Admin Log in