Capacitybuilders’ nine National Support Services (NSS) have opened for business, replacing the six Hubs of Expertise.

The aim of the NSS is to raise the skills and effectiveness of sector support services in key areas of need where there are significant current gaps, potential for improved services, and where growth in demand is likely. Funding for the programme is currently set through 2011.

John Fox, director of strategy and policy at Capacitybuilders said: “We are working with the lead agencies to maximise coordination of activities and all the workstreams have contributed to a joint web presence which will act as a gateway to the NSS programme. Some lead agencies are able to build immediately from the work of the Hubs, but inevitably there will be setup time and during this period we will work with the leads to develop business plans and align with local and regional priorities.”

Details of the NSS’ work will be available through a single website at www.improvingsupport.org.uk (as opposed to the more disparate nature of the Hubs).

- In other news, Capacitybuilders’ Simon Hebditch stepped down at the end of March, following a two year stint as the agency’s first chief executive.