Information Technology

We have around 90 computers at Impact, maintained in-house by the two members of our IT Department. These are supported across a comprehensive computer network based at our Head office in Workington. This links to our other offices via WANS and LANS using Kilostream and ISDN network communications. Our hostel accommodation and some home workers use modems to dial in to our system. 

The  computer system runs on  NT 4.0 and Terminal Server, using Exchange for our internal and external e-mail facility with Outlook as the front-end.  Access to the internet is available from all our computers via Proxy server.  Our standard office products tend to be Microsoft and include Word; Excel; Project; Publisher and PowerPoint.  We use quite a lot of technology including digital photography, scanners, handheld data capture units and so on.

Our Housing Management and Finance Teams use computerised systems provided by IBS, we use modules that include Rent accounting; Repairs and Maintenance; Portable Data Capture Units; Purchase Ledger and many others.

Plans at the moment include upgrading our links to provide a faster connection between head office and other sites, and also planning for an office move.

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Central Team

Central Team consisting of the Chief Executive, admin staff, IT and Audit and Performance.  It covers all these areas and much more.  The Chief Executive holds the strategic vision for the Association and keeps a hold on all the things that are going on.  The service also covers membership, governance, Health & Safety, I.T., Best Value, Audit and lots of other things such as newsletters, committees etc. 

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Finance

The finance team aims to provide customer focussed support services both within the organisation and externally.

In respect of processing financial information we will do this by ensuring accurate data is input to the financial systems using the most effective methods and by developing processes and procedures which are clear to staff throughout the organisation and which lead to the most effective use of resources.

In respect of financial and management accounting we will produce timely, relevant and accurate information to those who need it.

In respect of the development of financial services we will provide a financial framework which ensures the long term viability of the organisation and the maximum benefit to tenants from our financial resources. 

For more financial facts & figures please look at the Finance page.

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The main areas of the service are:

	HR strategy and policy development
	organisational development
	recruitment & selection
	training & development
	staff supervision & appraisal
	management of the modern apprentice training scheme
	staff  health & welfare

There are 4 members of the team, committed to providing a proactive, customer-focused service.  We are also committed to continuous improvement and regularly consult with staff on their experiences of our work to find out what they think of the service and how they would like to see it develop/improve. 

The key achievement for the Team during 2000 was the achievement of the Investors in People Standard in October.  We are also committed to providing training, development and employment opportunities for young people who the Association work with.  We established a Modern Apprenticeship scheme during 2000.  We also  developed a competency framework and have implemented a new HR computer system. 

Key tasks that the Team are currently working towards in 2001 are:

	writing a number of new policies, for Discipline, Bullying and Harassment and Capability Handling
	pursuing a programme of culture change, leading to greater accountability and personal responsibility for all a review of training and development
	delivering internal training enhancements to meet management competency requirements, including handling discipline, grievance & capability, managing absence, conflict management, presentation skills, project management
	further developing the competency framework
	implementing a new supervision & appraisal system dependent upon the outcomes of the Supervision Working Group
	developing the HR computer system
	reviewing the Staff Handbook
	identification of further opportunities for Modern Apprentices/New Deal trainees
	exploring and developing a member development programme
	developing the improved customer focus for the HR function and the wider organisation

The Team is dedicated to the on-going development of the Human Resources service and continually works towards ensuring the service provided is customer-friendly, effective, efficient and meeting user requirements.    

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