Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC)
Date completed:
February 2006
Project description:
LES was commissioned by BVSC to explore the potential for the development of Birmingham voluntary sector intelligence [1]. This potential was to be largely assessed through an evaluation and assessment of the research processes involved in undertaking the mapping and needs assessment work in south Birmingham.
In addition to the assessment and evaluation of different research methods and processes that could be used to develop VCS intelligence, LES also undertook to:
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specifically consider and make recommendations on the approach towards the further development of the Inequality Index, which currently provides a Web based information resource on different aspects of inequality in Birmingham.
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develop options on the way forward in relation to the integration of the VCS database and Inequalities Index with specific reference to how the new approach to sector intelligence could inform impact assessment.
The overall aim of this parallel piece of research was to produce a detailed report on the practical and market potential for the development of sector intelligence in Birmingham, taking all the above factors into consideration. Within this overall aim a number of more specific research objectives were also agreed:
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To review the approach to the revision of the Birmingham VCS database and reach conclusions and recommendations on the way forward for BVSC.
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To review the approach to updating the Inequalities Index and reach conclusions and recommendations on the way forward for BVSC.
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To outline options on the way forward in relation to the integration of the VCS database and Inequalities Index.
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To outline how the new approach to sector intelligence could inform impact assessment.