NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 442

5 June 2009

Ministerial changes underway

Westminster is awaiting the news on the election results, the cabinet reshuffle and the attempt to force Gordon Brown's resignation. Key changes already announced include Alan Johnson moving to the Home Office after Jacqui Smith's resignation this week. Other key ministers that stepped down this week include Hazel Blears, James Purnell and Beverley Hughes.

http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/reshuffle-resignations-and-results-awaited/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8084501.stm

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls has made a statement about Beverley Hughes' decision to stand down: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/content.cfm?landing=statement_from_ed_balls_about_beverley_hughess_decision_to_stand_down_as_a_minister&type=1

Local and European election results

Local elections were held this week in 35 English councils as well as elections for the European Parliament. The results for the local elections are being made available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/09/map/html/map.stm

As elections for the European Parliament are held on different dates in EU member states, the final results will be available on Sunday evening: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/elections2009/default.htm?language=EN

myplace round 2 opens today & new film featuring young people

A further £31.6 million has been announced for the myplace programme which is now open. Also a short film has been launched featuring young people talking about what myplace facilities will mean to them. Expressions of interest for round 2 are due by 29 June.

myplace film: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/news-and-communications/news/010609niwhatmyplacewillmeantoyoungpeoplefilm/

funding information: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/myplace

Future Jobs Fund resources for third sector

The Office of the Third Sector has published information for third sector organisations wishing to bid to the £1 billion Future Jobs Fund, following an information seminar with representatives. The event was organised in partnership with the Third Sector Future Jobs Fund Taskforce. The fund aims to create jobs for young people and jobseekers in deprived communities. All bids submitted by 30 June 2009 will be considered for the first allocations, for jobs to begin by October.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090603_seminar.aspx

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/futurejobsfund/

Constitutional renewal framework

The Prime Minister has outlined a framework for constitutional renewal that aims to reverse the apparent breakdown in trust in the political process. The Cabinet has agreed to establish a National Democratic Renewal Council (NDRC) and to introduce new provisions to the Constitutional Renewal Bill to go before Parliament in July. It will establish a new code of conduct for MPs and a new Parliamentary Standards Authority to supervise MPs' pay and expenses.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19500

Third Sector Safeguarding body launched

The national third sector safeguarding unit has now been launched. With £2.2 million in funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Safe Network will be managed by the NSPCC and Children England, and based in the NSPCC National Training Centre.

http://www.safenetwork.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx

NBYL internships for 16-25 year olds

The National Body for Youth Leadership consortium, made up of Changemakers, Princes' Trust, British Youth Council, UK Youth Parliament, Citizenship Foundation, the National Youth Agency and Young Foundation, is looking for 10 young people aged between 16-19 years to work on a range of projects across England through 3-month long internships. The scheme will run between Monday 6 July and Friday 25 September 2009. The deadline for applications is Friday 12 June.

http://www.nbyl.org.uk/internships/

Get involved in Shine 2009

Shine is a national celebration of young people taking place from 6 to 10 July 2009 through a combination of local and national events and supporting media coverage to create a real buzz about the talent in all young people. There are many opportunities for young people and organisations that support them, and NCVYS is calling on all members and their networks to get involved by participating in events or organising their own under the umbrella of Shine.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=713

Number 10 Art Competition

Number 10 has launched an art competition for young people from 5 to 16 years old. The best pictures will be displayed in the waiting room of 10 Downing Street and the young artists will be invited to the house to see their work on display. The theme is the Environment and entries will be accepted until 31 August.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19404

New Lifetracks programme for young people

A new three-year Lifetracks programme has been launched to empower and support 16 to 25-year-olds to make informed choices about their work, training and study through online and offline resources. The programme will be delivered by a consortium of four youth charities - The Foyer Federation, Skill, Rathbone and YouthNet - with £5 million investment by the Vodafone Foundation and a further £1.5 million match funding from v.

http://www.youthnet.org/mediaandcampaigns/pressreleases/lifetracks-programme-announced

Value of Infrastructure Programme

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Triangle Consulting and the Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC) have jointly launched the Value of Infrastructure Programme. With funding from the Big Lottery Fund, this England-wide programme aims to help infrastructure organisations to have more of an impact and to better communicate that impact to others. A free open workshop will be held on 1 July 2009, in London, for infrastructure CEOs, deputies and their trustees to hear more about the programme and help shape plans.

http://www.strategy-impact.org.uk/page.asp?id=1548

Communities in Control progress report

In July 2008 the Government published the White Paper Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power which aims to pass power into the hands of local communities and generate vibrant local democracy. This report by Communities and Local Government (CLG) sets out progress made since and provides a timeline for future implementation.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/communitiesprogressreport

Evidence of community empowerment

CLG has published a review of the evidence on empowering communities entitled: Empowering Communities to Influence Local Decision Making: A systematic review of the evidence. The review includes domestic and international evidence around community empowerment and aims to make sense of variable and often competing or contrasting evidence in order to identify which mechanisms empower; in what ways, and in what contexts.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localdecisionreview

Lessons for policy makers and practitioners

A third paper from CLG provides evidence-based learning for policy makers and practitioners on community empowerment. The report includes a diagnostic tool for evaluating your context that may be useful to the voluntary sector as well as a case study from Durham on empowering young people through redress (a mechanism for citizens to register complains, have them investigated and receive feedback and response).

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localdecisionlessons

Health Strategy regional events

The Department of Health has now confirmed a number of regional events to take place from July to September 2009.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Bulletins/ChildrenFamiliesandMaternitybulletin/index.htm

Funding for Village Champions

Village SOS is a new initiative from the Big Lottery Fund and the BBC. It is searching for six UK villages with a great business idea and six enterprising individuals to act as Village Champions and help them achieve their ambitions. They will create a brand new venture that will bring new life and energy to the village with funding of between £100,000 and £400,000. The six successful villages and their Village Champions will be filmed for a BBC One series in winter 2010.

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_village_sos

SkillsActive launches Qualifications Workshops

SkillsActive is to roll out a number of workshops across England targeted at training providers in the sport and active leisure sector. The workshops will cover the changes to the Qualifications and Credit Framework and its impact on publicly funded qualifications available within the sport and active leisure sector. Areas covered will include activity leadership, sport and active leisure management and playwork.

http://www.skillsactive.com/resources/news/skillsactive-launches-qualifications-workshops

Preventing Violent Extremism: Challenge and innovation fund guidance

Communities and Local Government (CLG) has published good practice guidance to local authorities on the Prevent Challenge and Innovation Fund (CIF). The CIF, which is available to all local authorities in England, is a fund of £3.2 million set up to support the work of local authorities in preventing violent extremism. The deadline for applications is 26 June 2009.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/challengeinnovationfund

Ofsted public meeting

The Ofsted Board is holding its annual public meeting on Wednesday 1 July 2009 to give members of the public an opportunity to offer their views on Ofsted's current work and priorities. This will inform a new Strategic Plan, which will underpin the work of the organisation for the next three years.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/About-us/Our-structure-and-leadership/The-Ofsted-board/Board-Meetings/Public-meeting-of-the-Ofsted-Board-1-July-2009

Boarding placements for vulnerable children resource

The DCSF, local authorities, boarding schools in the maintained and independent sectors, and educational charities are working in partnership to provide an extra option to support vulnerable children. A new resource has been published entitled On Board! Boarding placements for vulnerable children. This new DVD explores how boarding school placements can increase stability and improve the life chances of vulnerable children.

http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00593-2009&

The power of language - Human Rights and Young People - 25 June 2009

Places are still available on the open one-day Human Rights and Young People course designed especially for voluntary and community organsiations. The focus will be on using the power of Human Rights language rather than legal action. Participants will look at how Human Rights relate to their work either as service providers for young people or to help empower young people by providing support, guidance and advocacy. No previous knowledge of Human Rights is necessary! The course will be delivered by the British Institute of Human Rights in partnership with NCVYS. Bursaries are available for small organisations.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/blogs.php?act=view_topic&id=117

THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

Prime Minister's Questions

The PM's questions this week included the cabinet reshuffle, renewable energy, the Decent Homes programme, pension credits and domestic violence.

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090603/debtext/90603-0002.htm#column_265

Video: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19426

Creative industries

Lord Bragg (Lab) introduced a discussion about how the UK's creative industries contribute to the economy in the House of Lords. Experts in areas including the arts, public relations and education, debated topics ranging from broadcasting and business management to Youth Music and public policy.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90604-0002.htm#09060438000842

Home Affairs Committee knife crime report

The Commons home affairs committee has publishes a report on knife crime. The report warns of a "worrying" prevalence of youths carrying knives, motivated by fear and a lack of faith in the "natural protectors" expected to keep them safe. The Committee recommends the government adopt a "public health" approach to prevent long-term violence.

http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/home_affairs_committee.cfm

Regional and Local Government

Andrew George (Lib Dem, St. Ives) led a debate based on the Select Committee on Communities and Local Government's recent paper on the balance of power between local and central Government.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090603/debtext/90603-0015.htm#09060363000001

NEETS and E2E

Following a question by Baroness Walmsley (Lib Dem) on how many young people will be turned away from Entry to Employment (E2E) courses between now and September 2009, Under-Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Baroness Morgan of Drefelin led a debate on opportunities for young people not in education, employment and training.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90603-0001.htm#09060349000432

Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

During second reading of the Bill on 2 June in the House of Lords, a wide-ranging discussion took place on issues including improving standards in schools and investment in skills and training. Committee stage - line by line examination of the Bill - begins on 16 June.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90602-0002.htm#09060254000348