RE-DEFINING CLIENTS AS ASSETS

Features: September 1st, 2006

By David Boyle, Sherry Clark and Sarah Burns. There is evidence that enthusiasts inside public services would like to find new ways of engaging clients as partners in the delivery of services in every area. Adopting ‘co-production’, which is the process whereby clients work alongside professionals as partners in the delivery of services, is proving an effective way of achieving this. The authors look at the benefits of viewing clients as assets and the barriers within organizations to embracing co-production as a mainstream idea.



TACKLING THE INFORMAL ECONOMY

Features: August 4th, 2006

By Dennis Katungi, Emma Neale and Aaron Barbour. The informal economy is hidden from the state for tax, benefit and labour law and operates throughout the UK. The authors found that informal work is undertaken by people who live in poverty and fear going without basics such as food and heating, or are facing mounting rent arrears. The authors argue that the debate about tackling the issue should focus on creating an environment which enables people to leave low-paid informal work and move into the formal work market.

GLASGOW CALL CENTRE MANAGERS GET HIGH TECH SUPPORT

Features: July 28th, 2006

Call centre management is moving steadily towards maturity. The development path is littered with tales of disaffected staff smarting under time and motion style management. Glasgow City Council brought in a high tech system to support managers and ensure a staff friendly culture. This article describes how the City Council’s Access Centre delivered its staff recruitment and retention targets.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN MEETING CHALLENGES OF DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

Features: July 21st, 2006

Living in a disadvantaged community brings a whole range of challenges that those who live elsewhere do not have to face. They include aggression from gangs and adults with drink or drug problems. The challenges are particularly acute for parents and children and the authors looked at the way they respond to their situation. They found high levels of resilience and resourcefulness and expose some negative myths.

FIFTY YEARS IN AND AROUND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Features: July 14th, 2006

By Rodney Brooke This article was first published in Public Management and Policy and is reproduced by permission of the Association. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pmpa/index.cfm The world has changed radically in the last half century and this is no less true of the world of local government. The author reflects on the changes he has experienced. They include a major cultural shift within, together with new challenges and re-cycled issues which have yet to be addressed.

REUNITING LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN WITH THEIR FAMILIES

Features: July 7th, 2006

By Nina Biehal The number of children looked after by local authorities has risen steadily since the mid 1990s and resource pressures are focusing attention on the risks and benefits of re-uniting them with their families. The author offers a critical appraisal of the available research evidence on patterns and outcomes of reunion.

DOES PARTICIPATION WORK?

Features: June 30th, 2006

By Ben Page This article was first published in Public Management and Policy and is reproduced by permission of the Association. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pmpa/index.cfm Much has been done in recent years to develop more citizen-focused public services. Public participation is vital for developing a citizen-focus, but there have been varying degrees of failure to engage the public. The author looks at the reasons for the lack of public interest and suggests ways to improve engagement, including making councillors more effective.

IMPLICATIONS OF AN AGEING POPULATION WITH CHANGING HOUSING REQUIREMENTS

Features: June 23rd, 2006

With the proportion of the population aged 65 and over increasing steadily and the concept of old age being redefined as a rewarding and active part of life, housing need can no longer simply be equated with care and support. The author looks at the emerging Continuing Care Retirement Communities which present an alternative to both sheltered housing and residential care, providing for a whole range of needs and individual circumstances.

JOINING-UP COUNCILS ONLINE

Features: June 16th, 2006

By Janet Callender The Government Connect initiative is being developed by local and central government to allow councils and their partners across the public sector to share information securely online. The author, who is the chief executive of the lead council, describes progress in developing the initiative and the benefits that will be delivered to all those who join Government Connect.

BUILDING BETTER CREDIT UNIONS

Features: June 9th, 2006

By Peter Goth, Donal McKillop and Charles Ferguson. Credit unions, the not-for-profit, co-operative financial institutions, traditionally seen as serving the financial services needs of disadvantaged communities and individuals, have an important role to play. The Government is keen to see the sector develop to improve access to affordable credit. The authors identify patterns of credit union development; quantify their performance and highlight those factors that make for success.

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