NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 439
15 May 2009
Developing Directors of Children's Services Event - giving the sector a voice!
NCVYS and partners are holding two consultation events to give the sector a voice in shaping a training and development programme for Directors of Children's Services. This will also be a chance to improve understanding of the third sector and develop effective partnerships for the benefit of young people. The half-day events will take place on 5 June in Leeds and 18 June in London and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/event_calendar.php
Secret Millionaire fund
The Big Lottery Fund and Channel 4 have launched a joint Secret Millionaire fund to support projects that give people better chances in life, build stronger communities, improve rural and urban environments, or promote healthier and more active people and communities. Lottery funding worth £1 million will be allocated as grants of between £300 and £10,000 to organisations across the UK.
http://secretmillionaire.channel4.com/fund_info.shtml
Round 2 of myplace to launch in June
myplace will be launching a second round of funding, investing £31.6 million through grants of between £1 million and £5 million. Round 2 will focus on projects that have already invested significant energy in well-developed plans for a world class youth facility driven by the active participation of young people and their views and needs. Eligibility will be restricted to projects in deprived areas of England.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_myplace.htm?regioncode=-uk&status=theProg&tab=1&
Funding for research on Young People and Housing
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has launched a new Call for Proposals to fund research and development projects under the priority theme 'Young People and Housing: identifying policy challenges and solutions for 2020'. The Foundation will fund one project for up to £120,000 for the duration of 12 to 18 months. The deadline for proposals is 30 June 2009.
http://www.jrf.org.uk/funding/calls-for-proposal/young-people-housing
ContactPoint starts next week
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced that up to 800 frontline professionals will start using the ContactPoint database next week. These will be based in 17 early adopted local authorities in the North West and national voluntary sector partners Barnardo's and KIDS. From June to August, management teams in the other local authorities and national partners will receive training to prepare for deployment of ContactPoint more widely in due course.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0094
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090512/wmstext/90512m0001.htm#09051227000010
Safer School Partnerships Guidance
The DCSF has published an updated version of the Safer School Partnerships Guidance. The Government wants all schools in England to establish Safer School Partnerships (SSPs) as part of the triple track approach of enforcement, prevention and support on which the Youth Crime Action Plan is based. The guidance is aimed at professionals working with young people.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/behaviour/saferschoolpartnerships/
‘Safeguarding in Youth Participation' training
As part of the Participation Works consortium, NCVYS has developed training on Safeguarding and Youth Participation which will run across England over the next year starting in London on 10 June 2009 and ending on 24 March 2010 in Nottingham. The training is free for voluntary and community attendees and £85 for statutory sector staff. See the web link below for the course content, the full range of locations and dates.
http://www.eventbrite.com/search?loc=&q=safeguarding+in+youth+participation
ISA volunteer trial period rejected
The Government has rejected a proposal for a temporary disapplication of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme's monitoring and checking requirements for potential volunteers who were considering whether or not to commit to volunteering. In a letter to sector representatives, the Government said it had considered the arguments put forth but that any trial period would weaken safeguarding. It does not believe that ISA registration will put off volunteers as registration is a simple process and registration is free for volunteers. For more information contact Chris Brewster (chris@ncvys.org.uk), member of the ISA voluntary and community sector consultative group.
Government internship matching service
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has launched the Graduate Talent Pool website for employers to learn more about internships including potential benefits for organisations and costs involved. From July, the website will also offer a service to graduates seeking internships and work experience placements.
http://graduatetalentpool.dius.gov.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!ekppgba
http://www.dius.gov.uk/Home/news_and_speeches/press_releases/employers_graduate_talent
Formal bidding is now open - Future Jobs Fund
The Government's Future Jobs Fund, announced in the Budget 2009, is now formally open. The Government invites local authorities and other organisations either individually or in partnership to submit their bids.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/futurejobsfund/index.asp
Violence against girls and women
The Government is asking for views on how to end violence against women and girls. Part of Government's consultation looks at transport and journeys at night. If you are female and would like to feed in to NCVYS's response to Government please complete the short poll below by Friday 22 May.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/polls.php?act=view&id=35
Ofsted survey on excluded young people
According to a report published by Ofsted nearly a third of schools surveyed are failing to provide pupils who have been excluded with suitable alternative full-time education. The report, Day six of exclusion: the extent and quality of provision for pupils, reveals that eight of the 28 secondary schools and two of the three special schools visited by Ofsted failed to comply with this duty, brought in under the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/News/Press-and-media/2009/May/Schools-need-help-tackling-problem-of-education-for-excluded-pupils
New inspection arrangements
Ofsted has also published details of how its inspection of children's services will be conducted under the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). The frameworks published are the arrangements for the new Ofsted rating for council children's services and the programme of inspection of safeguarding and looked after children, which includes unannounced inspections of child protection services in every local authority in England. Inspections will begin in June.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/News/New-Ofsted-arrangements-for-the-inspection-of-children-s-services-including-safeguarding-and-looked-after-children-s-services
Learning to Live: Museums, young people and education
The National Museum Directors' Conference in conjunction with the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) have published a collection of essays addressing key questions about the role of museums and other institutes of material culture in young people's wellbeing and learning. The book provides recommendations for museums, policymakers and delivery bodies working with all young people.
http://www.ippr.org/pressreleases/?id=3499
Defra announces third sector task force
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced the 16 members of the new Third Sector Task Force on climate change, the environment and sustainable development. The aim for the group is to develop a vision and action plan for wider third sector involvement in these issues and to identify how Government and the third sector can best work together.
https://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=401149&NewsAreaID=2&HUserID=878,793,889,855,779,868,870,845,786,674,677,767,684,762,718,674,708,683,706,718,674
Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work Scheme
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced £75 million as part of the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme to offer parents from low income households help through vital childcare support, while they train or learn to support them into employment.
https://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=401107&NewsAreaID=2&HUserID=878,793,889,855,779,868,870,845,786,674,677,767,684,762,718,674,708,683,706,718,674
Funding for relationship and family counselling during recession
The DCSF has announced extra funding for families to cope with the recession. £3 million, including £1 million for Relate, will go to organisations to offer more services such as relationship and family counselling to those affected by the recession.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0096
DCMS Third Sector Strategy
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published its strategy which sets out the Department's vision for our ongoing relationship with third sector organisations.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/6144.aspx
Businesses supported to deliver apprenticeships for young people
The DCSF has announced the list of large businesses that will receive £11 million to create 3000 apprenticeships for young people over the next two years. This is part of a pledge made in the Apprenticeships Review, World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All published in 2008 and part of the Government's £140 million allocated to deliver 35,000 new and additional apprentices nationally in both the public and private sectors.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0098
Dormant accounts scheme consultation
NCVYS has submitted a response letter to the UK dormant accounts scheme: a consultation on secondary legislation which is currently going through Parliament. The response was supported by the British Youth Council, The Foyer Federation, the National Youth Agency, YMCA England and YouthNet. The letter highlights the increased importance of supporting young people through the dormant accounts scheme given the current economic climate.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=273
Pan Flu information for third sector organisations
The Government has published supplementary information specifically for third sector organisations on pandemic influenza. This document gives background information and highlights key areas for consideration to support third sector organisations to plan, prepare and respond to pandemic influenza.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_099094
Time for Action responses summary
The London government office has published a summary of the responses to the Time for Action Consultation. The consultation set out the Mayor's vision for a programme of action for Equipping Young People for the Future and Preventing Violence.
http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/crime/timeforaction/
Votematch
Writer and actor Stephen Fry has launched a quiz designed to help people decide how to vote in the European Parliamentary elections in June 2009.
http://www.votematch.co.uk/
Job vacancies at NCVYS
NCVYS is currently recruiting for the following posts: a Policy Team Administrator (deadline 22 May); and three Young Partners vacancies. These are: Development Officer - Youth Participation; Development Officer - Young People's Skills; and Communications Officer - Young People (deadline 29 May).
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=422#current
Recruiting for training consultants
NCVYS is also looking for training consultants to join our training pool. We are looking for trainers specialising in either child protection and safeguarding or faith and diversity to work with us on a freelance basis. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 3 June.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=422#current
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. Have a look at 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 workshops >> Workshop programme. Save £10! Admission to the exhibition and workshops is £10, but free if you pre-register online at before 15 May. Register online for free >> Register now! For more information >> www.cypshow.co.uk
THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
Well being of children and families
Baroness Massey of Darwen introduced a discussion on the well-being of children and families in the House of Lords this week. Members with expertise in, and experience of, working with children and young people, the charity sector, law and more contributed to a wide-ranging debate.
http://news.parliament.uk/2009/05/lords-debate-children-and-families/
SEN and Disability Bill
John Bercow MP (Con, Buckingham) made the case for his Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability (Support) Bill, which has its second reading in the Commons. The Bill would introduce a new requirement that inspections should consider how well schools meet the needs of pupils with SEN and disabilities such as autism.
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/specialeducationalneedsanddisabilitysupport.html
http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/john-bercow-mp-time-to-back-my-sen-bill/
Equality Bill
The Minister for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman led the debate on the Equality Bill which began its Second Reading in the House of Commons this week. Many issues were discussed including social mobility, poverty, disability and whether the Bill would go far enough to address persistent inequalities. Julie Morgan (Lab, Cardiff North) raised the issue of age discrimination against young people and the evidence highlighted by the Young Equals campaign that 43% of those under 18 felt that they had been treated unfairly because of their age. She urged the House to debate this issue further. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090511/debtext/90511-0004.htm#0905118000001
National Minimum Wage
The Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, Pat McFadden made a Ministerial Statement on the Low Pay Commission's 2009 report. The Government has accepted the Commission's recommendations that the youth development rate should increase from £4.77 to £4.83 and that the rate for 16 to17-year-olds should increase from £3.53 to £3.57 in October 2009. The Government accepted that 21-year-olds should be moved on to the adult rate of the national minimum wage. The Government will be looking to set a minimum wage for apprentices under this framework.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090512/wmstext/90512m0001.htm#column_40WS
Modern slave trade report
The Home Affairs Committee's inquiry into the "modern slave trade" shows a poor understanding of the problem, patchy enforcement and little protection for victims. According to the findings from Europol the most prevalent form of trafficking in the EU was of young women and children for sexual exploitation, and the trafficking of children to commit street crimes (e.g. begging) was a ‘big issue'. About 60% of suspected child victims in local authority care go missing and are not subsequently found and the Committee was particularly alarmed by accounts that traffickers may be, in effect, using the "care home system for vulnerable children as holding pens for their victims until they are ready to pick them up".
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhaff.htm
Licensing Act 2003
A report by the Culture Media and Sports Committee examines the extent to which the benefits promised by the Licensing Act 2003 which impact on the performance of live music and the licensing of sporting and not-for-profit clubs. The report notes that it is highly unsatisfactory that sporting and not-for-profit clubs face the same licensing costs as commercial concerns such as pubs and nightclubs. It recommends that sporting clubs should be place in a fee band based on 20 per cent of their rateable value and that only the bar area of not-for-profit clubs should be taken into account when assessing the rateable value to determine the appropriate licensing fee.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmcumeds.htm
Young People: Voluntary Work
Following a question by Francis Maude (Con, Horsham), Minister for Children, Schools and Families, Jim Knight gave a statement on the Government's plans to promote a requirement for young people to undertake community service.
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