HOST Policy Research: Latest News
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 30 March 2009
HOST Policy Research wins three new framework agreements with the LSC
The Learning and Skills Council National Office has awarded HOST three new research framework agreements under the overarching theme of Adult Learning Skills and Employment in England. The three framework agreements are in the areas of ‘Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS), ‘Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)’ and ‘General Adult Learning’. Running to March 2013, the agreements are intended to provide to the LSC the knowledge and expertise to enable the developments for the new adult advancement service.
Dorothy Berry-Lound, Managing Director of HOST, stated: “We are delighted to have been awarded these three new framework agreements building upon our long-term relationship with the LSC and look forward to participating in the development of the new adult advancement service. These new framework agreements will run in parallel with our three existing framework agreements (in best practice, operational evaluation and strategic evaluation).”
For further information: Further information can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 10 April 2009
HOST Policy Research is awarded new consultancy research and framework agreement with LSIS
After a long-standing association with the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) that continued with emergence of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service LSIS, HOST Policy Research has been awarded a new consultancy research and framework agreement with the organisation. Seven of HOST’s ten projects with LSIS under the previous framework agreement have been programme or service evaluations. These have included the programme evaluations of: Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTs); Foundation Learning Tier (FLT) and progression pathways; High Quality Managers programme; National Teaching and Learning Change Programme/TLP; Post-16 Citizenship support; Qualification Reform Support Programme (QRSP); Skills for Excellence; and Support for Success (S4S).
“We are pleased to continue our long-standing Association with LSIS”, said Professor Parsons, client manager for HOST’s programme of research for LSIS. “LSIS has a substantial commitment to using evidence-led reviews of their support programmes for the sector. HOST is delighted to be able to continue to contribute to getting to grips with what works well across LSIS’ improvement strategy.”
The new framework agreement will run for 12 months with an option to extend up to a further 24 months.
For further information: Further information can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 5 May 2009
HOST Policy Research is awarded new Social and Economic Research Framework with the Department for Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
Following an extensive tendering process, HOST has been awarded a new social and economic research framework agreement with the DWP and HMRC. This covers three main areas:
- Ageing and Pensions.
- General Labour Market research, Integrating Employment and Skills and Welfare to Work Programme Evaluation.
- Commissioning, Performance and Business Delivery.
Dorothy Berry-Lound, Managing Director of HOST stated: “We are delighted to welcome DWP/HMRC to our portfolio of clients with which we hold a framework agreement. We look forward to the opportunity of working with these departments and contributing to future policy and programme developments.”
The framework agreement commences from 1 July 2009 for two years with a possible extension for a further two years.
For further information: Further information can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com
PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 2009
HOST wins new project for the Learning and Skills Council National Office
HOST has been awarded a project to conduct a National Evaluation of the Qualification and Curriculum Framework (QCF) Unit Funding Trials. This project is for the Learning and Skills Council National Office and will be led by Professor David Parsons and Dr Jane Holland.
According to Professor Parsons:
‘The evaluation will use a variety of front-line formative evaluation methods to review: the approach to funding units in the QCF and its alignment with national policy to engage hard-to-reach learners and to improve progression to full qualifications; and to respond to the issues facing SMEs in the current economic downturn. It will also look at the operational processes at provider level that may impact on the delivery of the trials and the wider implications for policy.’
The review is due to complete in early spring 2010.
For further information: Further information can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com.
PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 2009
HOST wins new framework agreement with Skills for Health
HOST has been awarded a new framework agreement with Skills for Health, the Sector Skills Council.
Dorothy Berry-Lound, HOST’s Managing Director, said: ‘We are delighted to be awarded a framework agreement with Skills for Health. This continues our long-running association with Sector Skills Councils which has included developing research strategies and designing impact evaluations for individual SSCs. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Skills for Health’.
For further information: Further information can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com.
PRESS RELEASE
Date: October 2009
HOST is awarded a new project by Energy and Utility Skills Limited
HOST has been awarded a project under its framework agreement with the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council (EU Skills).
The project is an evaluation of Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Women and Work Programme. This initiative forms part of government’s response to the Women and Work Commission report Shaping a Fairer Future (February 2006) and is intended to test new recruitment and career pathways for women. Project Director Dorothy Berry-Lound says: ‘The aim of the evaluation is to gain an understanding of the benefits that have arisen to participating employers and employees. To that end our methodology will include a review of registrant data and e-surveys of employers and employees who have been involved in the programme’.
The Women and Work Programme evaluation is due to complete 18 December 2009.
PRESS RELEASE
Date: January 2010
The project is an evaluation of the EUSR Water Schemes. The schemes to be evaluated are:
- Water hygiene.
- DOMS.
- Leakage.
- NCO (Water)
- Confined Spaces (Water).
- Utility SHEA (Water).
According to Dorothy Berry-Lound, Project Director: ‘The aim of the research is to understand how well these schemes meet the expectation of employer users’. The methodology for the evaluation is currently being finalized but is likely to include an e-survey of employers and selected in-depth telephone interviews. The project is due to be completed by the end of February 2010.
For further information: Further information on the project can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com.
PRESS RELEASE
Date: November 2009
Review of Management Qualifications and Management Training Needs in the Learning and Skills Sector for LSIS
In order that LSIS can continue to offer different types of management support throughout the learning and skills sector HOST Policy Research has been commissioned to conduct a review of existing evidence about management skills and qualifications and seek the views of organisations and network forums on current and predicted trends.
HOST will report back to LSIS in mid January 2010.
For further information: Further information on the project can be obtained from Susan Sibley at HOST on 01403 211440 or info@hostpolicyresearch.com.