Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides

OFT: The Office of Fair Trading has launched its first ever education sector resource, with a new consumer education toolkit for teachers.  The toolkit, 'Skilled to go', is a free online resource that uses everyday consumer situations, such as choosing a mobile phone package or shopping online, as the basis to develop consumer skills, knowledge and confidence.

'Skilled to go' currently has three modules: Buying and selling, Technology and Utilities, and is available in variations for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to reflect the legal differences in each of the countries as well as relevant geographic examples and websites. During June and July the OFT and LLU+ will be running free workshops in London, Manchester, Cardiff, and Glasgow to introduce teachers to the toolkit.
Press release ~ 'Skilled to go' ~ Launch events for Teachers ~ LLU+ at London South Bank University ~ What about Money ~ FSA: Building financial capability in the UK ~ Ofsted: Developing financially capable young people ~ Personal Finance Education Group (PFEG) ~ The Thoresen Review and final report ~ Financial Capability: the Government's long-term approach ~ studenttaxadvice.org.uk ~ Uni Money - your guide to Student Loans, grants and bursaries ~ HM Revenue & Customs: Tax + U - Student At Work ~ Welcome to Money Advice Trust
 
HO: The government claims that doorstep crime, anti-social behaviour and engaging young people were the key areas of focus for last week’s second national Neighbourhood Watch Week (NWW - 16-20 June). During the week Vernon Coaker launched a new Neighbourhood Watch website and a volunteers' toolkit, designed to provide support, training & guidance for around 4m UK households that are members of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
Press release ~ New national website ~ Toolkit ~ Home Office NW mini-site ~ Home Office – Young People and NW
 
Cabinet Office: The Cabinet Office's Social Exclusion Task Force has published Think Research, a web-based document which gives commissioners & providers of services for vulnerable people guidance on using research evidence during the commissioning process.
 
Think Research demystifies the research process & results and gives commissioners the tools to use the evidence effectively during their decision-making process. By using research evidence collected on the service's past performance commissioners can make informed decisions when commissioning projects.
 
In addition, on the other side, providers that deliver services underpinned by research evidence, will be able to prove that their services work and feel more confident about being commissioned and the future of their organisation.
Press release ~ Think Research ~ Social Exclusion ~ REA toolkit  ~ Institute of Education’s EEPI-Centre ~ NICE – commissioning guides ~ Commissioning Toolkit for long term conditions ~ Guidance: Local Commissioning in Primary Care ~ Strategic commissioning guidance ~ Every Child Matters – Joint Planning & Commissioning ~  RCN: Commissioning health care services for children and young people: increasing nurses’ influence ~ DH - Commissioning
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