NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 438
8 May 2009
£10 million funding programme for voluntary and community sector
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has launched a £10.2 million Strategic Funding Programme, providing three-year project-based funding of up to £450,000 for community and voluntary organisations. A first priority area will fund organisations providing guidance, advice and advocacy services as well as infrastructure development and building capacity where there are gaps in local provision. A second priority will be good relations between communities. Informational events will be held around the UK from 18 May to 3 June 2009. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 12 June 2009.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/newsandcomment/Pages/Commission-announces-%C2%A310-million-funding-programme-for-voluntary-and-community-sector.aspx
New Mini Mediabox fund for smaller charities
The Mediabox programme, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), has launched a new fund called Mini Mediabox which will provide grants of up to £5,000 to support projects that enable young people aged 13-19 to produce their own creative media projects. Registered charities, trusts and incorporated associations, not-for-profit, non-statutory youth and community based organisations in England can apply. The fund is open to organisations with a turnover of less than £100,000 and will operate a rolling submission policy.
http://www.media-box.co.uk/index.php
Protection of children action plan
The Government has published The protection of children in England: action plan - The Government's response to Lord Laming. The action plan sets out Government's response to the recommendations in Lord Laming's report published in March. It outlines how all of central Government will work with local government and front line services working to drive forward reform of child protection services across England. NCVYS has produced a briefing for the voluntary and community sector.
http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=CM+7589
NCVYS briefing: http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=361
NCVYS's submission to the Lord Laming inquiry: http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=270
REGISTER FOR FREE NOW FOR THE CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE NOW SHOW 2009 IN EARLS COURT
Get up to speed on the latest developments in the sector and pick up fresh ideas at the Children & Young People Now Show 2009. The show will feature expert advice and resources from over 60 exhibitors including NCVYS, key areas of the children and youth sectors that will be represented sharing best practice, learning tools, advice and guidance, equipment and supplies, training, professional development and recruitment. Click here for the full list of exhibitors. Take advantage of the free interactive workshop programme covering the core themes for the sector including leadership and collaboration and positive activities for young people. For the full details of the workshop programme, please click here. Save £10! Admission to the exhibition and workshops is £10, but free if you pre-register online at ww.cypshow.co.uk before 15 May. Register online for free. Register now! www.cypshow.co.uk
National Survey of Third Sector Organisations published
The Office of the Third Sector has published the full results of the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations conducted by Ipsos MORI. The survey investigated whether third sector organisations felt that local statutory bodies helped them to succeed on the basis of their Nation Indicator 7 (NI7) score.
http://www.nstso.com/
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090506_survey.aspx
Vetting & Barring Scheme Information Roadshow
The Government has announced dates for the Vetting & Barring Scheme Information Roadshow Series which will demonstrate how the Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority will deliver the new scheme as laid down by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. The free events will explain the impact on employers, voluntary organisations and service users, providing an opportunity for questions to be answered. The events will take place throughout June and July in different locations around England and Wales. Spaces must be booked online.
http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/default.aspx?page=28
Three new vacancies at NCVYS
As part of its five year project to develop its national youth forum ENVOY, NCVYS is recruiting for three new, full-time posts: a Development Officer - Youth Participation, a Development Officer - Young People's Skills and a Communications Officer - Young People. More information on these three posts will be available on the NCVYS website shortly. The closing date for applications will be 5pm on Friday 29 May 2009.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=422
Policy Team Administrator vacancy
NCVYS is also looking for a new staff member to join the policy team, heading up administrative support for the team, acting as a PA to the Head of Policy & Communications and also providing support on our marketing programme. The vacancy is for a part-time post based in London. Deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 22 May 2009.
www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=422
Pandemic flu guidance
The DCSF has issued new guidance for schools and children's services on planning for pandemic influenza. The UK Health Departments have published a national framework for how the Government overall will respond. The Government recommends that organisations, including those in the public sector at local level, should be as prepared as possible now so that plans can be activated when a pandemic arrives. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/emergencies/planning/flupandemic/
General public information: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831
Evaluation of v
v has published an independent evaluation report produced by WM Enterprise (WME) of its activities between 2006 and 2008, during which around £23 million was invested in volunteering opportunities for young people across England. The key findings show that v funding has created a range of volunteering opportunities that would not otherwise have been created, for diverse groups of young people, many of whom had not volunteered previously. However small organisations in particular struggled with the intensity of v's monitoring requirements and this is being reconsidered.
http://www.vinspired.com/v/news/199-independent-evaluation-of-v-is-good-news-for-youth-volunteering
Young people to come up with new EU organic logo
With support from the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), the EU is asking all students registered at an art or design college in member states to come up with a new EU-wide organic logo. The winner will receive a cash prize of 6,000 Euros and their logo will appear on the label of all pre-packaged organic food throughout the EU from July 2010. The closing date for entries is 25 June 2009.
https://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=400381&NewsAreaID=2&HUserID=878,793,889,855,779,868,870,845,786,674,677,767,684,762,718,674,708,683,706,718,674
http://www.ec.europa.eu/organic-logo
Ten year EU strategy for youth
The European Commission has adopted a new EU strategy for youth policy for the coming decade. Entitled Youth - Investing and Empowering, the new strategy acknowledges that young people are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, especially in the current economic and financial crisis, and in our ageing society, also a precious resource. The actions involve key policy areas particularly education, employment, creativity and entrepreneurship, social inclusion, health and sport, civic participation, and volunteering.
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/news1458_en.htm
Sharing emerging practices in the children's workforce - funding
The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is inviting bids for funding to help people who work with children, young people and families share their experiences in working together and reforming the workforce in an integrated way. CWDC Share! now in its third year will provide individual grants of £10,000 to successful sites across England. The application closing date is 1pm on 16 June 2009.
http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/tenders/show/84
Opportunity for young people to speak
On 16 May Unite the union is organising a national march and rally for jobs. As part of this event they have organised a young people's event from 2.30 to 4.00pm in the Birmingham Repertory Theatre as an opportunity for young people under 25 to speak of their fears and hopes to the union leadership, each other and MPs. The event is supported by UK Youth Parliament and the British Youth Council. The Union is calling on young people as well as youth and community leaders and practitioners to attend the event.
http://action.unitetheunion.com/content
Banning ‘promoters of hatred' from the UK
The Home Secretary has announced a new scheme to come info effect on 1 June 2009 which ill ban any non-British citizens from the UK, including European nationals and their family members, if they have expressed views that stir-up, justify or glorify terrorism; and foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK. This includes publishing materials, running a website or using a position of responsibility such as a youth leader.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/name-and-shame-list
DNA database records consultation
The Home Office has launched a public consultation on how the government should handle DNA evidence: Keeping the right people on the DNA database. One of the suggested changes is to remove the DNA profiles of young people arrested but not convicted (or convicted for less serious offences) when they turn 18. The consultation closes on 7 August 2009.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/dna-tell-us
The impact of Pathways to Work on benefit receipt for the under 25
The Department for Work and Pensions has published a new report. It describes the impact of Pathways to Work on those aged between 18 and 24 at the start of their claim for Incapacity Benefit within the original seven pilot areas and the first two groups of expansion areas (those areas where Pathways was introduced in October 2005 and April 2006).
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/report_abstracts/wp_abstracts/wpa_065.asp
World Asthma Day - report and resources
World Asthma Day took place on 5 May to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. The Health and Safety Executive are undertaking related activities in May and Asthma UK has published a report called Missing out. It reveals that three quarters of teachers are not confident about what to do if a child in their class has a potentially life-threatening asthma attack. The release coincides with their first national fundraising week, which aims to raise vital funds to support our services for children.
http://www.asthma.org.uk/how_we_help/world_asthma_day/index.html
Alcohol trends in Britain
According to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, binge drinking among women has almost doubled since 1998. The average consumption of women aged 16 to 24 rose from 7.3 units a week in 1992 to 10.8 in 2006. However, the report also finds that, in general, young men are drinking less. Fewer children are also drinking, but those that do are consuming more than ever. Reasons for the increase in consumption among 11 to 13-year-olds are likely to be parents, family, friends and the home environment.
http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/alcohol-trends-in-britain
Latest quarterly Charity Forecast findings
According to the latest Charity Forecast Survey by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), 19% of charity leaders surveyed plan to decrease the number of paid staff, with 51% maintaining staffing levels. The figures contrast with the previous quarter (October to December 2008) where 56% of those surveyed planned to increase paid staff numbers.
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=13706
BME Community of Interest roundtable
This is a reminder that NCVYS is organising a BME Community of Interest meeting entitled ‘High Expectations - Working Together for Success' on Tuesday 12 May 2009. This is a free national consultative event targeted at community and youth leaders from BME organisations working with young people.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/event_calendar.php?act=newedit_event&id=237
THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill
Members in the House of Commons debated the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill in its third reading. Following the publication of the Action Plan, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls announced changes to the Bill that will require Local Safeguarding Children Boards to appoint two members from the local community and to publish an annual 'effectiveness' report. Other areas of the Bill include a statutory framework for apprenticeships and a right to an apprenticeship for suitably qualified 16-18 year olds; a right for employees to request time away from their duties to undertake training, placing a corresponding duty on employers to consider such requests seriously and to be able to refuse them only for specified business reasons.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090505/debtext/90505-0004.htm#0905052000002
The Bill also underwent its first reading in the House of Lords: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/apprenticeshipsskillschildrenandlearning.html
Vetting: Young People
Following a question by David Ruffley (Con, Bury St Edmunds), Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Shahid Malik gave data on the number of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks issued to young people under 18 years during the past year.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090505/text/90505w0009.htm#column_37W
Youth Justice
In response to a question by David Howarth (Lib Dem, Cambridge) on what factors the Government took into account in the decision to reduce the number of places contracted for custodial places in local authority secure children's homes, the Minister for Children, Schools and Families, Beverley Hughes made a statement on behalf her department and the Youth Justice Board. The factors were ''the required number of beds in each region, value for money, and overall affordability''.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090505/text/90505w0017.htm#column_78W
Young Offenders
In a related debate in the House of Lords, Baroness Linklater of Butterstone asked how the Government plans to accommodate young offenders in the future in the light of the Youth Justice Board's decision to reduce the number of places available in secure children's homes.
The Under-Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Baroness Morgan of Drefelin led a short debate.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90507-0001.htm#090507113000841 |
