Strategic Framework

The Business Plan for 2010 is reflected in the budget approved by the Board of Trustees at their February 2010 meeting. The full Plan was presented to the March 2010 Board Meeting and our staff and key stakeholders were consulted before final ratification in April 2010.

The key developments for 2010- 2013 are:

Feasibility Study for Great North Loan Fund, including new products and branding

Funding secured April 2010 and work in progress including Trusted Partner status with RBS Group and work with the Northern Rock Bank Community Flaship Programme

Introduction of North East Private Housing Financial Assistance Programme

Contract Awarded May 2010

Flexible New Deal sub-contract delivery in Newcastle, Gateshead and County Durham

Flexible New Deal Phase 2 to be replaced by The Work Programme

Enterprise Gateways

Gateways in Billingham, Stockton Town Centre and South Thornaby established

Increased Employer Engagement within Communities Fund delivery

Additional engagement activity commenced August 2010

Establishing a Health & Social Care Division

Work in progress

Growth Fund delivery in Northumberland

Team established in April 2010 and Morpeth office established

Investment in Infrastructure, including IT and Telephony, and Upgrading Premises

Investment ongoing

Securing the transfer of ownership of Eldon Street and South Thornaby and a number of other public assets

Awaiting the outcome of a local authority review of assets

A range of community facilities in Darlington

Work in progress

Financial Awareness & Capability training and capacity building package

Delivery commencing October 2010

Development of up to 6 Social Enterprises

Work in progress

‘Customer First’ and ‘Change Matters’ accreditation and Investors in People ‘Gold Standard’ to supplement previous Quality mark success

Customer First achieved April 2010 and IIP Gold achieved August 2010

Plus additional elements identified from staff seminars and planning workshops in April 2010 as follows:

• Delivery of a Five Lamps marketing strategy which includes a substantially updated web presence including full use of social networking etc, creating an enhanced digital footprint -November 2010
• Consideration of family intervention projects, including the expansion of special needs Youthy and broad-based ‘Teen Parent’-type model -December 2010
• Engage in 14/19 Diploma/Apprenticeships offer, including reaching into schools to work with Y9,10 and 11 young people and supporting re-integration into learning. Reviewing the skills/quals offer and linking to construction companies etc -January 2011
• Evaluate Foundation Learning/e2e model in other locations where there is no/minimal current provision -February 2011
• Develop the business case for a housing/hostel/life skills facility for homeless and/or other vulnerable groups -February 2011
• Review the potential outward bound offer, associated qualifications and the case for a residential centre -March 2011
• Consider the case for the introduction of incubator units/ managed workspace and a leasing option for assets for new businesses -January 2011
• Greater focus on young enterprise - Ongoing
• Measurement of programme outcomes and customer distance travelled including new internal processes -Ongoing
• Complete review of STCRC activities and usage, including multi-purpose gym, and develop sustainability strategy -January 2011

These developments are tangible evidence of the success of our strategic direction, our capacity for continuous service improvement and the strength and quality of our service delivery.