NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 433

3 April 2009

Sport England funding

Sport England has launched its new Small Grants Programme worth £7 million, offering grassroots sports projects access to National Lottery grants of between £300 and £10,000 this year. An enhanced version of the Sportsmatch scheme will continue levering private money into grassroots sport with £3 million of Exchequer funding. In addition, the Rural Communities fund will begin accepting applications from 24 April; the new Innovation Fund from 12 May; and the Sustainable Facilities Fund from 12 May.

http://www.sportengland.org/backing_sport_in_your_community

Real Help for Communities regional roadshows

Following the publication of the action plan Real Help for Communities: Volunteers, Charities and Social Enterprises, the Office of the Third Sector is holding 9 free regional roadshows for small and medium frontline third sector organisations to provide a practical understanding of how to access the support available. These will take place between April and June 2009.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090330_roadshows.aspx

Empowerment Fund projects announced

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced the 21 successful third sector organisations which are to share £9.25 million of the Empowerment Fund. The fund aims to deliver on the key themes of the Communities in Control White paper, including being active in your community; access to information; standing for office and ownership and control. NCVYS members Urban Forum, Community Matters and YWCA are among the successful organisations. The Young Foundation will use the fund to increase the numbers of young people getting involved in public leadership.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1192224

Local infrastructure - Networking Support Grants

NAVCA has secured funding from Capacitybuilders, to help local infrastructure organisations support their local third sector during the economic downturn. The grants of up to £2,000 will support training and networking activities to build knowledge, skills and confidence in helping local third sector organisations respond to the downturn. The deadline for applications is 9 April 2009.

http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/recession/navca/nsp

Local Resilience Action Plan

NAVCA will also be publishing a framework to produce a Local Resilience Action Plan (LRAP) with additional free consultancy support if necessary. More information can be obtained via the web link below or by contacting sue.traylor@navca.org.uk by 9 April.

http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/recession/navca/lrap

Changes to accounting rules from 1 April

Changes to accounting rules for charities which come into effect from 1 April 2009 include: raising the threshold above which charities prepare accruals accounts from £100,000 to £250,000; and raising the threshold above which accounts must undergo external scrutiny from £10,000 to £25,000. The changes followed a consultation held by the Office of the Third Sector and the Charity Commission.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090331_red_tape.aspx

Free swimming initiative

The Government has launched a £140 million free swimming initiative, which will mean that over 200 councils will offer free swimming to those aged 16 and under. The initiative, announced last June, is a key part of the Government's plans to deliver a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

http://www.sportengland.org/index/news_and_media/news_pr/free_swimming_programme_launched.htm

Skills Survey Commissioned for Third Sector Workforce 

There is less information available on the UK third sector workforce than any other organisations in the Justice sector. Therefore, Skills for Justice is conducting a Third Sector Skills Survey during April. The survey will cover a sample of organisations from all of the relevant areas in UK Justice, including both paid and voluntary staff and data will be collected through pre-arranged telephone interviews with individuals who are responsible for learning and development. Interviews will cover: vacancies, training, skills gaps and shortages. NCVYS urges members to get involved.

http://www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/news/519-skills-survey-commissioned-for-third-sector-workforce

Workforce development regional events

The Children's Workforce Network is holding 11 regional events to consult on plans for a national Skills Development Framework and Youth Professional Status. These plans will support all those involved in integrated working across youth support services and are intended to help define the skills, knowledge and competences required by professionals for integrated working with each other and with young people. The events will run from 29 April to 23 June. An online consultation is taking place at the same time. To register your interest in attending the events, contact Yarringtons on 08456120256.

http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/

Funding for training young offenders in London

Financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the London Development Agency, London Mayor Boris Johnson has launched a £23 million funding programme to boost skills training for young people and get them into jobs, including young offenders and youngsters aged between 14 - 19 years who are not in further education. Organisations who work within skills provision for young people can apply for ESF youth programme grants until 31 May 2009 by registering at www.competefor.com. A series of workshops will be held around London to help groups through the application process.

http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=21604

Survey on accessing European Social Fund

Third Sector European Network is carrying out this survey to learn about the experience of third sector organisations in accessing European Social Fund co-financed funding from the Learning and Skills Council to run activities in 2008 and/or 2009. This survey is to assess how widely the sector can engage with the LSC procurement system for ESF activity, and if it tries to engage how it finds that experience. The deadline for responses is noon 29 May 2009.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kiFU2NimId0_2fvuOEsofhIA_3d_3d

Lifelong Learning UK

Following consultation with the membership, NCVYS has submitted a response to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills consultation on re-licensing the Sector Skills Councils. This response focuses on Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK). NCVYS recommends that youth work, as an occupational area, should be transferred from LLUK to be brought under the remit of the Children's Workforce Development Council.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=273

Workforce Health Check Tool for local infrastructure

NCVYS has developed a new tool which consists of a set of probing questions and prompts to help specialist workforce development staff within local infrastructure organisations conduct a workforce development health check with a voluntary and community (VCS) organisation working with children, young people and/or families.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/blogs.php?act=view_topic&id=107

The March edition of the NCVYS workforce development ‘snippets' is now also available:

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=279&PHPSESSID=3662523201e10e655967c7628d56d999

CRB Code of Practice

On Monday 6 April, the CRB launches its improved Code of Practice, which brings together all of the legislative changes which have come into force since 2001 into one document for easy reference; including the Conditions of Registration introduced in 2006.

http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=311

Ofsted whistleblower hotline pilot

Ofsted has launched a pilot hotline which will enable council employees and those working with young children to report concerns about practices and procedures for the safeguarding of children and young people. Ofsted's whistleblower hotline webpage has more information about the difference between whistleblowing and complaining, and what the hotline is about.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/News/Whistleblower-hotline-pilot

Child protection and safeguarding research grants

The British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN) is offering Research Grant Awards to support BASPCAN members in undertaking or completing small scale research projects on child protection and safeguarding for up to £5,000. Applications from practitioners are welcome but could also be considered in partnership with academic colleagues. The deadline is Friday 29 May 2009.

http://www.baspcan.org.uk/research-grant.php

New play areas

The Department for Children, School and Families (DCSF) has announce that over 500 new or refurbished play areas across England have opened ahead of the Easter holidays as part of the first roll out of the £235 million play investment announced in the Children's Plan. These will be open for children and young people in 63 local authorities. The DCSF has written to all Local Authorities to ensure they are consulting with local children, young people and parents in designing the new playgrounds and where they want to see them built.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0066

Comprehensive Engagement Guide

The Urban Forum, the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and NAVCA have published a practical guide to developing a comprehensive community engagement strategy, with support from the National Empowerment Partnership. The guide provides the essential information that local authorities and Local Strategic Partnership partners need to develop a joined-up approach to community engagement.

http://www.urbanforum.org.uk/handy-guides/a-practical-guide-to-developing-your-comprehensive-community-engagement-strategy

Essential Facts about Comprehensive Area Assessment

Urban Forum has published a series of FAQs on the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) which replaces a range of other inspection regimes, including: the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), Children's Services, Joint Area Reviews, Annual Performance Assessment of services for children and young people and Social Services star ratings. The CAAs took effect on 1 April 2009.

http://www.urbanforum.org.uk/briefings/10-or-so-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-comprehensive-area-assessment-caa-framework-faqs

Young people and alcohol

Following consultation with its youth forum ENVOY (Enthusiastic National Voice of Youth) and other young people, NCVYS has submitted a response to the Department for Children, Schools and Families on its draft guidance for young people around alcohol. Responses to the guidance were mixed but NCVYS welcomed the opportunity to get young people's voices heard.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=273

More Bikeability funding

Transport Minister Paul Clark has announced that over 200,000 more school children in England will have the opportunity to have Bikeability training this year supported by £10 million of government funding. The Bikeability scheme launched in March 2007 is a national training standard designed to provide children with the on-road skills they need to handle modern traffic conditions.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=397114&NewsAreaID=2

Young Environmental Photographer of the Year 2009

The international Environmental Photographer of the Year competition seeks to honour photographers who use their ability to raise awareness of environmental and social issues. The competition categories include: climate change, sustainable development, quality of life, the natural world and the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year for under 21s. Winners will receive cash awards of up to £1000 and their images will be exhibited around the world during the year, starting at the awards ceremony in October in London. The competition closes at 5pm on 31 July 2009.

http://www.ciwem.org/arts/photographer/epoty_competition_2009.asp

Building Stronger Communities Taskforce

A new Government taskforce has been set up to look at innovative but practical ways that businesses and the third sector can work together to help those communities that need it most during the global downturn. Chaired by Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, the Taskforce will report their initial findings to Minister for the Cabinet Office, before the end of July.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090331_taskforce.aspx

Battle of the Campaigns ‘09

UK Youth Parliament are about to decide their three main campaigns for the year ahead and are calling on all young people in the UK aged 11 to 18 to vote on their preferences, choosing from 14 campaigns. Voting will begin on 20 April.

http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/battle

Recruitment to a new 14 - 19 learner panel

DCSF recently announced its intention to establish a 14-19 learner panel, to help the department explore national policy development and delivery issues with learners on a regular basis. This is now being taken forward by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). They are looking for young part-time volunteer learners from different backgrounds and regions, to better understand how the reforms feel from a learner's perspective. No specialist interest or sector understanding is required. The applications are due by 6 April 2009.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/DG_068290

Safeguarding and gangs

NCVYS is asking for member's views on the Department for Children, Schools and Families consultation; Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity. A NCVYS briefing and online poll are on the NCVYS website to facilitate your engagement. Member input will inform a NCVYS response. Deadline for responses is 1 May 2009.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/polls.php?act=view&id=34

Sharing Spaces - co-location for the voluntary youth sector

With support from the Baring Foundation, NCVYS commissioned a study into a co-location project and the findings have been published in the report Sharing Spaces. The report presents arguments for developing a co-location project alongside partners within the national and regional voluntary youth services. It also considers various ways in which this might be achieved and highlights some of the previous legal advice on potential structures for developing and managing a complex co-location project.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/blogs.php?act=view_topic&id=108

NCVYS Faith Event in Leicester

The next Faith community of interest event will be held in Leicester on 30 April 2009 and is open to NCVYS members as well as non-members. This is a national consultative event targeted at community and youth leaders from faith and faith-based organisations working with young people, and will focus on Youth Leadership and Community Cohesion. An event outline and booking form are available on the NCVYS website.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/event_calendar.php?act=newedit_event&id=234

THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

Spending on Public Services

Following questions by Sharon Hodgson (Lab, Gateshead, East and Washington, West), and Jim Devine (Lab, Livingston) on maintaining public services during the recession, Minister for the Cabinet Office, Liam Byrne said that the Government do not believe in cutting back during a downturn and that public net investment will rise from £30 billion in 2007 to £40 billion in 2009-10.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090401/debtext/90401-0002.htm#09040155000023

Prosecutions of children and trafficked young people

In response to a question by Anthony Steen (Con, Totnes) on the number of prosecutions of children at or above the age of criminal responsibility, the Solicitor-General said that Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted just over 118,000 young offenders in 2006, 134,000 in 2007 and 119,000 in 2008. Anthony Steen posed a follow-up question on whether the CPS uses its guidance to instruct police and the prosecutors to refer to the UK Human Trafficking Centre regarding the identification of trafficked children, following concerns raised by the third sector around cases involving children working in cannabis factories.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090402/debtext/90402-0004.htm#09040239000021

Equality Bill - implementing the Coleman judgement

The Leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman gave a ministerial statement on the forthcoming Equality Bill, announcing that the Government has decided to extend the prohibition against associative and perceptive direct discrimination and harassment to other strands and areas where this does not currently apply. The Equality Bill will therefore prohibit direct discrimination and harassment based on association and perception in respect of race, sex, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and age and in relation to both employment and areas beyond this, such as goods, facilities and services.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090402/wmstext/90402m0003.htm#column_88WS

Charities and new funding portal

Following a question by David Jones (Con, Clwyd, West), Third Sector Minister, Kevin Brennan led a debate on the issues faced by charities in the economic downturn including increasing demand for services. There is reference to the Charity Commission survey saying that as a result of the downturn, only 2% of charities who responded reported that they had had to reduce staff during the recession. The Government will be introducing a new funding portal as a single gateway for third sector organisations directing them to appropriate funding and also that measures are being put in place to enable smaller charities to cut up to £5 million of red tape.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090401/debtext/90401-0001.htm#09040155000020

Third Sector Organisations

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Liam Byrne led another debate on the third sector which covered recent announcements to support the sector such as the modernisation fund and the impact of the recession. A member mentioned the situation in South Ribble, where the council has cut funding to a number of voluntary organisations, including the citizens advice bureau, the women's refuge, Victim Support and a charity helping young homeless people.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090401/debtext/90401-0001.htm#09040155000022