NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 443
12 June 2009
Save the date! ‘Stormy weather and silver linings' - NCVYS Annual Conference on 4 November 2009
Now more than ever, young people need to be resilient and supported to cope with the fast moving pace of change in their daily lives and the world beyond. The NCVYS Annual Conference on building resilience in young people and the sector, will explore positive approaches to dealing with the current state of flux in our social, political and economic environments. Taking place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London, the event will look at opportunities available for young people and the sector towards social inclusiveness, exercising voices in a changing political climate and generating financial stability. More information to follow on www.ncvys.org.uk.
Disable the label: free copies of Exchange Summer issue - out now!
The summer issue of Exchange, the quarterly magazine for the voluntary and community youth sector, has now been released. The magazine showcases informative and thought-provoking articles that highlight the good work being conducted by the sector around the topic of young people and dis/ability. Through this issue NCVYS is calling for readers to ‘disable the label' they may have when working with young people who have disabilities. We are currently offering copies FREE to all interested organisations - for a limited period only. To order, please contact Mariam Sheikh on 020 7278 1041 or email mariam@ncvys.org.uk.
Ministerial and departmental changes
Further to the changes announced last week, Angela Smith has been appointed as the new Minister for the Office of the Third Sector, in the Cabinet Office. Former Third Sector Minister Kevin Brennan will oversee apprenticeships jointly with the DCSF and the newly created Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) which merges the responsibilities from the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Dawn Primarolo has taken over Beverly Hughes' post as Children's Minister. Vernon Coaker replaces Jim Knight as Schools Minister and Diana Johnson replaces Sarah McCarthy-Fry as the new Junior Schools Minister. Iain Wright will focus on 14-19 education, NEETs and IAG at the DCSF.
BIS: http://www.bis.gov.uk/
DSCF: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/aboutus/whoswho/ministers.shtml
OTS: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090608_minister.aspx
Volunteer Management Programme grants from Capacitybuilders
Capacitybuilders has released details of a new grants programme worth £3 million to provide support to people who manage volunteers, following commitments made by the Office of the Third Sector in response to the recommendations of the 2008 Commission on the Future of Volunteering.
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/detail/Further_details_announced_about_new_3_million_Government_fund_to_boost_volunteer_management_over_the_next_two_years/99/398.aspx
Hardship Fund criteria announced
This year's Budget saw the announcement of a £16.7 million Hardship Fund for the sector which will provide grant support to third sector organisations delivering front-line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society that have been affected by the recession. Grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 will be available to organisations in: Health and Social Care; Housing Support; Education and Training; and Information, Advice and Guidance.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090611_hardship.aspx
Working class girls fear failure - EHRC report
According to a new report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, 46% of girls from a working class background have a profound fear of failure which is seriously affecting their chances at school and work. The Staying On report surveyed more than 1,000 young people from different socio-economic backgrounds. Poor career and subject advice was also highlighted as a major problem, with information provided to young people often reinforcing class, gender, ethnic and disability stereotypes.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/working-class-girls-fear-failure/
Co-location Fund projects and Achievement for All pilots
Minister for Ed Balls has announced allocations of £200 million for 101 projects across England to bring together children and family's services on single sites through the Co-location Fund announced in December 2008. Mr Balls has also announced the 10 local authority areas for the Achievement for All project worth £31 million, to pilot innovative teaching and support for young people with special educational needs (SEN).
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0106
Train to Gain budget increases
Contrary to rumours, NCVYS has found out that Train to Gain funding budget allowances have actually been increased to £925 million this year (2009-10) and will rise further to over £1 billion next year (2010-11). For more information please contact Workforce Development Officer, Nichola Brown on nichola@ncvys.org.uk.
Sexual exploitation of children
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has issued guidance for Local Safeguarding Children's Board partners, practitioners and other professionals that work with children and young people to protect children at risk of sexual exploitation. The guidance highlights the importance of the voluntary and community sector in providing services, support and activities for children and young people and recognises that the sector is often able to reach disengaged children that do not engage with mainstream statutory services.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/safeguardingandsocialcare/safeguardingchildren/safeguarding/
Teen LifeCheck being rolled out nationally
A free, online lifestyle self-assessment service to help teenagers improve their health and wellbeing is being rolled out nationally by the Department of Health. NHS Teen LifeCheck uses a confidential, interactive quiz to offer health and lifestyle information to 12-15 year olds as well as information on issues such as physical activity, nutrition, drugs, sexual health, alcohol, smoking as well as emotional wellbeing with top tips about stress, bullying, relationships and self-esteem.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=403131&NewsAreaID=2
Supporting young carers survey
Ofsted has published a survey exploring how effectively young carers were identified by councils and their partners. It also examined the assessment and delivery of services for young carers and their families. The survey used evidence from visits to council areas, focus groups with young carers and meetings with those who provide young carer support services.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Supporting-young-carers
Graham Badman's Review of home education
In January 2009, Government commissioned Graham Badman to assess whether the current system of supporting and monitoring home education is the right one. The independent review has been published and submitted to Government.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/ete/independentreviewofhomeeducation/irhomeeducation/
Response from Government on home education review
Children's Minister Delyth Morgan has accepted in full the recommendations of Graham Badman's Review of Elective Home Education. Key recommendations include: that local authorities should provide more support to home educating families, such as access to the national examination system, sports facilities, libraries and music tuition; and that local authorities can refuse registration to home educate if there is clear evidence of safeguarding concerns.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0105
Social Evils book launched
According to the new book Contemporary Social Evils by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, there is a public hunger for a new way of living post-recession. The book documents the most pressing evils in our society, including drugs, alcohol and violence, alongside deeper concerns regarding greed and individualism, the decline in values, inequality and the breakdown of family life as identified by over 3,500 people during a public consultation exercise in 2007.
http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/hungry-for-change
http://www.debatemate.com/
CYP Now weekend activities - surveys for young people and youth workers
Children & Young People Now magazine is trying to find out if young people would like more activities available at the weekends and whether they would use them. Findings will be passed on Government and other decision makers.
For young people: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB229A9CKJ6NV
A similar survey aimed at youth workers across sectors is looking to determine how sustainable running additional weekend youth activities will be in the long term.
For youth workers: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB2299VXHB7S9
Support in Uncertain Times - recession support for charity leaders
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has launched Support in Uncertain Times, which sets out advice and support on a range of topics to help address key challenges identified by charity leaders. A section on umbrella bodies looks at how they can better support the sector through capacity building, collaboration, evidence building on the recession and continued co-operation with the government.
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=14378
Mergers between charities
A new report by New Philanthropy Capital entitled ‘What place for mergers between charities?' looks at whether mergers can contribute to a more effective charity sector in the UK. It argues that by bringing together organisations with similar missions, mergers can improve existing services, create new benefits and save money. The lack of information available on the sector makes it hard to spot opportunities for collaboration. The report says trustees should consider whether a merger is a way to fulfil its charitable purpose more effectively, even if this means the eventual winding down of the charity.
http://www.philanthropycapital.org/research/research_reports/other/mergers.aspx
Young people, knives and guns research
According to research from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London, there is little evidence to support police-led interventions to tackle knife violence. Following a comprehensive review of gun and knife crime strategies, the report - `Young people, knives and guns' - concludes that a `zero tolerance' approach to weapon possession `is ineffective in reducing crime or changing attitudes' among young people.
http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/youngpeopleknivesandgunspr.html
Face to Faith project
A new global education programme from the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Face to Faith, has been launched. Piloted in more than 10 countries on three continents, Face to Faith uses video conferencing, an online community and a course syllabus to support exchange between young people of different faiths and improve their religious literacy. Young people involved in the pilot are already reporting how their understanding of the role of faith in today's world has increased by learning from those of differing social, cultural and religious perspectives.
http://tonyblairoffice.org/2009/06/tony-blair-launches-face-to-fa.html
Education and training for 14-19 year olds - Nuffield Review's final report
The Nuffield Review has published its final report entitled ‘Education for All: The future of education and training for 14-19 year olds'. The report is said to be the largest investigation into education and training for 14- to 19-year-olds in England and Wales for 50 years. Among its many recommendations, the report calls for ‘strongly collaborative local learning systems' involving schools, colleges, work-based learning providers, higher education, the youth service, voluntary organisations and employers.
http://www.nuffield14-19review.org.uk/cgi/news/news.cgi?t=template.htm&a=63
Machinery of Government event - new Pre and Post 16 landscape
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is running a series of free regional stakeholder events throughout June and July regarding the Machinery of Government (MoG) - new Pre and Post 16 landscape. The events will inform providers and other stakeholders about the transition arrangements and timetables for moving into the new structure, and provide an opportunity for informal networking with DIUS and regional colleagues.
http://www.niace.org.uk/campaigns-events/events/machineryofgovernment
Research and development pilot grants - women from ESOL communities
NIACE is calling for expressions of interest from groups to take part in a national research and development pilot project that will contribute to and impact on the emerging English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and community cohesion policy. The purpose of the project is to recruit groups of women that may have a lower level of English language skills and are at risk of social exclusion with a primary focus on Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Somali women; and engage them in a range of meaningful learning activities. The deadline is Friday 24 June 2009.
http://www.niace.org.uk/development-research/womans-place
BBC Trust review of services for younger audiences
The BBC Trust has published its review of BBC services for younger audiences. Although the BBC serves young people well overall, the report highlights a number of challenges and actions for BBC management to take forward. The Trust received 9000 submissions to their public consultation, including one from NCVYS.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/framework/bbc_service_licences/young_people.html
NCVYS response 2008: http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=273
New technology and advising young people
According to a report published by Youth Access and the Law Centres Federation, ‘twittering' and telephone services are not the way to reach young people in need of advice about homelessness, unemployment and debt. According to the report Rights Within Reach, young people are more likely to have civil legal problems than the rest of the population. Every year an estimated 200,000 young people try but fail to get legal advice with severe consequences.
http://www.youthaccess.org.uk/publications/upload/RightsWithinReach_FullReport_highres150dpi_online.pdf
Charity Award Winners 2009
The Overall Winner of this year's Charity Awards was NCVYS member Leap Confronting Conflict, who also took home the Children and Youth Award. Other winners included Michael Brophy from the Charities Aid Foundation for Outstanding Leadership and BTCV for the Animals and the Environment Award.
http://www.charityawards.co.uk/home/index.php
Guide to partnerships between schools, extended services and arts
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), Arts Council England and the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) have published a new guide for everyone involved in providing extended and cultural services for children and young people. It aims to encourage partnerships to flourish between schools, extended services and arts and cultural organisations that will benefit children, young people and families.
http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press/releases/2009/Culture_for_all
National Tackling Drugs Week - 8-12 June 2009
This week was National Tackling Drugs Week which is designed to provide local agencies and police forces with a platform to publicise the work you do to tackle drugs and reduce drug-related crime.
http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/communications-and-campaigns/tackling-drugs/NationalTacklingDrugsWeek/
THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
Child Poverty Bill
The Government has published the Child Poverty Bill, which will set targets relating to the eradication of child poverty and place a legal duty on central government, councils and services including the police, NHS primary care trusts and youth offending agencies to work together to support families to end child poverty. It will require the Westminster government to publish a UK-wide child poverty strategy, which must be revised every three years.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/news-and-communications/news/120609nichildpovertybill/
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/childpoverty.html
Statement on constitutional renewal
The Prime Minster has delivered a statement to the House of Commons on the topic of constitutional renewal, to introduce legislation that could see a shift from self-regulation to independent, statutory regulation. A new Parliamentary Standards Authority would be given the power to regulate MPs' allowances and the Commons would be asked to agree a code of conduct for MPs in order to increase accountability. The Government will also set out proposals for public debate on five major issues including increased public participation through electoral registration and greater engagement of young people, including lowering of the voting age.
http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19579
Social mobility and the Professions
The Minister for the Third Sector, Angela Smith led a debate in the House of Commons on social mobility and improving access to professions for young people from all backgrounds.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090611/debtext/90611-0010.htm#column_977
Youth Crime
Karen Buck (Lab, Regent's Park and Kensington, North) led a debate in the House of Commons on youth crime, following the report by the Select Committee on Home Affairs entitled ''Knife Crime'' published last week.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090610/halltext/90610h0005.htm#09061057000003
Debate on carers
Health Minister, Phil Hope, introduced a topical debate on carers in the House of Commons Chamber. It marked Carers' Week and looked at the progress made since the last year's Work and Pensions Select Committee report on valuing and supporting carers, and the Government's response. The debate covered challenges facing young carers.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090611/debtext/90611-0006.htm#09061140000989
Community Sport
Following a question by Andrew Rosindell (Con, Romford), Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe led a debate in the House of Commons on the effects of recession on community sports and what the Government were doing to help.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090608/debtext/90608-0001.htm#0906083000007
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