Local Area Agreements (LAAs)
As part of a Central Government drive towards reducing bureaucracy and increasing local decision making, from April 2008 partnership funding will be brought together within Local Area Agreements (LAAs) at county/shire level.
To read more about LAAs please visit:
www.homeless.org.uk/policyandinfo/issues/laacurrent.
National Indicators (NIs)
To reduce the monitoring burden on local authorities the current indicators (over 1000) will be replaced with 198 National Indicators (NIs). Of these 198, each authority will negotiate 35 'improvement targets' plus 16 statutory targets on education/early years. Although local authorities will need to report on and have their performance judged on all 198 indicators, the 35 improvement targets selected will merit particular focus and there is likely to be some form of reward grant tied to their achievement.
Supporting People
SP will probably be integrated into the LAAs in 2008/09. It is therefore essential that agencies understand the implications of the LAAs and NIs now, so they are prepared for and able to respond positively within the new context.
Key actions:
- To lobby for the indicators most relevant to their service to be included in the 35 improvement targets
- To familiarise themselves with all the NIs where there is a case to be made that homelessness service contribute to achieving targets for that NI
- Use data already available and, if neceesary, modify current data collection systems to ensure correct data is available
- Draw out relevant data as required to present to Supporting People.
Key case:
- Homelessness agencies have most direct impact on tackling exclusion and promoting equality
- They also work with people who can potentially have a significant impact on several of the targets towards safer communities NIs
- They can also contribute to overall local population targets in relation to stronger communities, adult health and well-being and the local economy.
Demonstrating a contribution within NIs
To support the sector in preparing their response, the London Housing Foundation commissioned Triangle Consulting to summarise the implications for homelessness agencies of the new performance framework, including identifying all the relevant NIs and how to demonstrate a contribution.
Homeless link and others are already encouraging the initial lobbying stage, so we intend to address how services can demonstrate the contribution they make within the NIs in 'Achieving NI Targets'.
Visit Homeless Link to get involved in lobbying
Find out more about demonstrating your contribution to NI targets
Author: Sara Burns, Triangle Consulting
Date: 18 December 2007