NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 434

9 April 2009

CWDC Participation Fund now open

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has launched the third round of the Participation Fund, which will no longer be restricted to one project per Government Office Region in England. They are inviting bids from public, private and third sector organisations for local, sub-regional, regional or national level projects in England which address children, young people and families' involvement in workforce development and reform within the context of the one children's workforce framework. The deadline is 1pm on 12 May 2009.

http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/tenders/show/67

Inspiring Communities funding information available

As part of the Inspiring Communities programme by Communities and Local Government, Cabinet Office and the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), £10 million in funding and support will be available to 15 neighbourhood partnerships from eligible local authorities to deliver activities working with young people, their parents and communities, to create new opportunities, broaden horizons and build self-confidence. Partnerships will unite schools, councils, third sector organisations and young people. The deadline for applications is 3 June 2009.

www.communities.gov.uk/communities/neighbourhoodrenewal/inspiringcommunities

£750K Innovative Campaigning Action Research Programme

Liam Byrne, Minister for the Cabinet Office, has announced the first ever government action research programme to strengthen the ability of charities and other third sector organisations to campaign for change. Run by Capacitybuilders, the £750,000 scheme will identify and promote innovative ways for the third sector to campaign for the most disadvantaged people in society. It will be developed and delivered over two years, with grants and support services to be provided to up to 30 nominated groups.

http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/detail/Capacitybuilders_to_manage_Governments_new_Campaigning_Programme/99/383.aspx

Mapping global youth work across the UK

The education charity DEA is conducting research to map out the provision of Global Youth Work in the non-formal youth sector in the UK. This will inform a report to Government on how work in the non-formal youth sector can be developed to support and embed a global dimension into youth work. NCVYS urges all members for whom this is relevant to complete the short questionnaire available via the link below. The deadline for responses is 21 April.

http://tinyurl.com/gywmappingy2

New reports from children's rights director

Roger Morgan, the Children's Rights Director for England, has produced four reports on children's experiences: Life in secure care, Life in children's homes, Life in residential special schools and Life in residential further education. These showed that young people valued the close support they received from staff and other young people in secure children's homes. They also highlight the need for greater support for those leaving secure units to help them rebuild their lives.

http://www.rights4me.org/reports.cfm

How to survive commissioning: top tips on providing successful commissioned services

Community Matters and NAVCA are organising an event on 21 April in Liverpool for the children and young people's voluntary and community sector, providing top tips and resources to those interested in influencing and gaining local funding for their children and youth services through commissioning. The closing date for bookings is 16 April 2009.

http://www.communitymatters.org.uk/about-us/whats-new/Commissioning+Workshop.htm

Regional IAG events for practitioners

The DCSF is working with Government Offices to deliver regional events between April and May 2009. The events will focus on the key messages from the Government's Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) Strategy and statutory guidance on local authority delivery of IAG and the Principles of Careers Education, both to be published later in the year. Delegates will discuss key local and regional issues and solutions. Open to all IAG practitioners and others involved in IAG delivery.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/index.cfm?go=site.home&sid=57&pid=497&lid=633&ctype=None&ptype=Contents

Economic downturns and the voluntary sector - learning from historical evidence

History & Policy has published a document entitled the Economic downturns and the voluntary sector: what can we learn from historical evidence? History & Policy is an independent initiative, working for better public policy through an understanding of history, and is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, The Institute of Historical Research, and The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

http://www.historyandpolicy.org/papers/policy-paper-85.html

NAC regional events on children's mental health

The National Advisory Council for Children's Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing is holding a series of free Regional Seminars in association with the DCSF and the Department of Health from April until May 2009. National Advisory Council was set up in response to the CAMHS review Children and young people in mind published in November 2008. The events will outline the Council's vision and explore views to define what can and must be done nationally and locally to help children with mental health needs.

http://www.livegroup.co.uk/NACregionalevents/index.php?view=introduction

Skills Development Framework & Youth Professional Status Events

The DCSF has asked the Children's Workforce Network to undertake a programme of young people's workforce development. They are currently consulting on the Skills Development Framework and Youth Professional Status, and are organising a series of consultation events on these areas around England from 29 April to 23 June 2009.

http://www.cwdcevents.org.uk/yps/index.html

New flexible working rights

From 6 April 2009, all parents of children aged 16 and under will have the right to ask their employer for flexible working arrangements. A survey, commissioned by the Government Equalities Office, shows that two-thirds of working parents state it would be helpful to work flexibly as their children get older. However the 'fear factor' still needs to be tackled as 32% of parents thought it may mark them as uncommitted to their job, and nearly 23% were concerned it may affect their promotion prospects.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=397808&NewsAreaID=2

Free guidance for individuals and businesses: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/flexibleworkinghttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Flexibleworking/index.htm

Coalition for Young People - Manifesto of Demands

The Guardian will be publishing a spread on 15 April on young people and the issues that matter to them, including an interview with Secretary of State, Ed Balls. NCVYS has contributed to this as a partner to the Coalition for Young People, which will be publishing its Manifesto of Demands to be available on the NCVYS website next week.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=256

Before and after youth crime

As part of a series of Speaking Out regional events, NCVYS and Children England hosted Before and after youth crime. Policymakers, practitioners and young people participated in a roundtable and discussed issues around prevention, intervention and reducing re-offending for young people in London. The paper sets out recommendations which have been sent to the Ministry of Justice, the DCSF and Government Office London.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=568

APPG on Youth Affairs

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Youth Affairs is launching its programme for 2009 on social mobility and young people. The first meeting, 27 April 2009, will set the agenda and key issues for future meetings. The APPG is an open meeting held in the House of Commons. It offers anyone, including young people, practitioners and policymakers, the chance to debate with MPs, Government Ministers and each other. Further information, including an attendance form, is available on the NCVYS website.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=277

Toolkit for the prevention of violent extremism

The DCSF has published a toolkit - Learning Together to be Safe - responds to calls from schools for more practical advice. It is the product of discussions with young people, teachers, police, community representatives, and local authorities across the country. Although the toolkit is aimed at schools, it may be useful to the voluntary youth sector by giving information on what might make young people vulnerable to violent extremism and practical advice for building resilience and managing risks.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/violentextremism/toolkitforschools/index.shtml

OTS health check

The Third Sector Advisory Body has published a health check on the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) which examines the capacity of the OTS to deliver the commitments in the Third Sector Review. The report is based on a series of stakeholder interviews, providing feedback and recommendations to which the OTS has responded.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090402_healthcheck.aspx

Tax credits taking effect

The Government is implementing tax cuts and increasing benefits to help in dealing with the effects of the global economic downturn. At the start of the new tax year changes to come into effect include: increased child tax credits and working tax credits; a new £190 grant for mums-to-be payable at the 25th week of pregnancy; and a 6.3% in income support, job seekers allowance, employment and support allowance, and incapacity benefit.

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_35_09.htm

Reminder: Local Networks Residential on Commissioning Infrastructure

This is a reminder that the deadline for bookings for the CVYS residential is Tuesday 14 April. This spring residential will take place on 22-23 April 2009 in Doncaster. The main focus will be on commissioning infrastructure. For further information and booking please contact us on 020 7278 1041 or email yokeu@ncvys.org.uk

THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT