| Evaluation
of the Culture and Sport Improvement Strategy, Department
for Culture, Media and Sport
ERS have been appointed by DCMS to evaluate the impact of
the programme of work under the Improvement Strategy for Culture
and Sport. The strategy, which is set out in the publication
‘A Passion for Excellence: an Improvement Strategy for
Culture and Sport’ (March 2008), was developed by DCMS
together with related Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB’s)
and the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA). The Strategy
aims to create a strong framework to:
• improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency
of culture and sport in the delivery of economic, social and
environmental outcomes in local communities
• improve the performance of the culture and sport sector
and to address under performance
• build capacity and leadership
• simplify and co-ordinate the improvement architecture
The projects which aim to achieve these goals are set out
in ‘An integrated national offer of support to councils
to help them improve culture & Sport Services’ which
was published in March 2009.
The aim of the evaluation is to assess the impact of the Strategy
in terms of supporting and influencing councils to continuously
improve the provision of culture and sport. The evaluation
will specifically assess the extent to which the programme
of support has helped councils improve culture and sport services.
The final evaluation report will provide recommendations on
how to further embed or develop the Strategy in the future
based on the evidence collated and reviewed by the study team.
Copies of the Improvement Strategy for Culture and Sport and
details of the integrated national offer can be accessed at
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/3571.aspx
ERS
contact: aparkinson@ers.org.uk
0191 244 6103
Evaluation
of the Northern TUC Learning for All Fund, Unionlearn Northern
TUC
ERS has been appointed by Unionlearn Northern TUC to evaluate
its Learning for All Fund (LFAF). The LFAF is currently funded
through a European Social Fund (ESF) Co-Financing arrangement
with the North East Learning and Skills Council to provide
a strategic and operational support service to trade unions
wanting to run workplace projects. The overall aim of the
Programme is to increase the number of adults engaging in
learning and training in the region.
The LFAF enables Union Learning Representatives to proactively
raise demand for learning with an emphasis placed on accessing
hard to reach learners. The LFAF also increases the potential
of enhanced relationships between employers and learning providers
through a holistic approach to engagement, development and
progression.
The formative evaluation of activity from April 2008 will
incorporate a specific focus on:
The delivery of the programme to meet the requirements of
ESF Co-financing;
The strategic fit of LFAF with skills and economic priorities
of the region; and
The identification of opportunities for future development
of the Programme.
The study will be based on significant consultation with key
stakeholders, those involved in the delivery of the Programme
and, crucially, the beneficiaries of funded activity in order
to assess the impact, added value and future priorities of
the LFAF. Interim Reports will be produced in December 2009
and March 2010 with a Final Report scheduled for September
2010.
ERS contact: jbuttrick@ers.org.uk
0191 244 6104
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