Latest Updates

The justice system is adapting relatively quickly to the horror that is modern slavery - but while efforts are stepping up to eradicate the problem, there still needs to be more support for victims.

The debate about how to enhance the independence of charities took a new turn this week with a startling intervention from Fiona Weir, chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust. 

Ardoyne Youth Enterprise helps young people in one of Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas. But times are changing, and the group is changing with them.

Northern Ireland needs greater focus on innovative solutions. Substantial and dedicated funding would help – but good ideas are just as necessary.

It has often been claimed that charities fail to speak out on important policy issues for fear of losing funding

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is an idea whose time has come. Scope examines the model giving communities more power over spending.

The Bank of England estimates that two thirds of all jobs are capable of being automated within 20 years. Scope examines the implications for the Third Sector. 

Bringing paramilitarism to an end is the biggest single task facing Northern Ireland society. Scope explores what is being done about it. 

Young people who leave school with no qualifications are often written off by the rest of society. Scope explores a project that reveals amazing untapped potential. 

Next week sees the beginning of the roll out of Universal Credit in Northern Ireland. 

The media struggles to report on battling ideas unless there is a real battle involved. Covering concepts is inherently difficult but it could still be done better – whether you are talking health reform, or identity politics.

Never mind academic selection, the ILiAD report identifies several wider issues that affect academic attainment. These need to be dealt with together.

Brendan McAleer, Regional Director of Ulster Comhaltas explains how he is trying to turn the cultural war on its head.

Last week’s NICCY report looked at the alarming costs paid by parents towards their children’s education. A closer look at the paper reveals deeper problems – and possible solutions.

A survey has just been published that demonstrates the vulnerability of charities to cyber crime, Scope assesses the risks.

When Parliament reassembles on Tuesday 5 September the DUP will have its first opportunity to flex its muscles by forcing through an important measure to help combat the scourge of gambling addiction.  

Community and voluntary work is done best at a local level. This makes scaling up a tricky prospect – but it is not impossible.

The reaction to the floods that devastated swathes of Northern Ireland this week failed to address a catastrophic failure of public policy. 

The apparent need for £70m cuts in health is bad news - but finding extra cash won't fix the underlying problems, while our trusts have missed a chance to push for reform, and instead have washed their hands of the burden of leadership.

There are proven ways to rehabilitate offenders. But is Northern Ireland up for it?