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Improvement
Our sector contributes to the shaping of prosperous communities by working in partnership at a local level. We work with the sector, and with national and local government so that museums, libraries and archives can fulfil their potential.
Our improvement and performance management resources have been developed within the context of the National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy which sets out how central and local government will support the local partnerships delivering outcomes for communities
A Passion for Excellence
A Passion for Excellence, is about supporting local government and their partners to deliver better outcomes, setting out a framework for the culture and sport sectors. It aims to support local government as “leaders of place”, working with their local partners to improve the quality of life locally and improve the delivery of cultural and sport services to local people
Since its introduction in 2008 A Passion for Excellence has underpinned a range of activity by MLA and our partners which has supported improvement in museums, libraries and archives in communities across the country. A Passion for Excellence – One Year On (PDF 1.4MB) sets out the progress that has been made, and details the priorities for our improvement support in 2009/10.
There is also a comprehensive list of the support available to Councils from the Passion for Excellence partner agencies. An Integrated National Offer of Support to Councils (PDF 1MB) will help them to improve Culture & Sport Services, offering a comprehensive list of the support available to them from the culture and sport Non-Departmental Public Bodies and the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), under the Passion for Excellence work programme.
MLA can support change in library services
Before any decision to introduce change is made it’s important for local authorities to know about the models of good practice that already exist.
> Read more about library supportHow to build robust performance management information
A range of information designed to support performance management, helping managers to collect and use robust performance management information
> Read more about performance managementThe outcomes framework
The 2007 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act shifted local government performance management from a service based to an outcome based framework.
> Read more about delivering outcomesmeasuring participation and satisfaction
An essential element of good performance management is knowing who is, and who is not using your service, and what users think of the service on offer.
> Read more about measuring satisfactionmanaging performance and efficiency
This element of the performance framework relates to use of performance management information about how to use resources efficiently.
> Read more about performance resourcesThe role of service and sector standards
The national performance framework has moved away from service focused performance assessment, but service and sector standards still play an important role in supporting improvement.
> Read more about standardsTargeting improvement activity where it is most needed
It is important to target improvement activity to those parts of a service or institution where it is most needed or where it will have the greatest impact.
> Read more about identifying improvement needs