NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 444
19 June 2009
September Guarantee funding confirmed
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls has confirmed the additional investment of £655 million over 2009-2011 announced in the Budget 2009, to enable more than 1.55 million young people to stay on in education and training this September. The September Guarantee is an offer of a suitable place in post-16 learning for all 16 and 17-year-olds.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0109
Funding to prevent binge drinking this summer
Ed Balls has announced the 69 priority local areas that will share up to £1.4 million to tackle binge drinking and anti-social behaviour, in addition to the £350,000 that each area is receiving this year to tackle anti-social behaviour and youth crime. Chosen local areas are being asked to submit a three-point plan for activities including tough enforcement; early intervention and support; and communicating to the local community.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0112
Shine Week House of Lords debate
As part of Shine Week, NCVYS is calling on young people to get involved in the House of Lords debate which will take place on Friday 10 July 2009. This is only the fourth time the House of Lords have allowed members of the public to run a debate in the chamber and is an opportunity for young people to learn about the political process, meet the Lord Speaker and other peers, tour the Houses of Parliament and get their voices heard.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=713#lords
Round3 Young Inspectors Programme now open
Round 3 of the Youth4U Young Inspectors Programme is now open for applications. Agencies and children's trust partnerships can apply to take part and lead on the involvement of marginalised young people in inspections of local services and in influencing local policies. The programme will run for two years and will be rolled out across 36 local Children's Trust. The deadline for applications is Friday 28 August at 5pm.
http://www.participationworks.org.uk/news/does-your-agency-want-to-apply-to-take-part-in-the-youth4u-young-inspectors-programme
Young people among most affected by the recession
According to a new report jointly published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Department for Work and Pensions and the Government Equalities Office, young people, those living in deprived areas and men have suffered the biggest rises in unemployment in the recession so far. The report reveals that 16% of 18-24 year olds are currently unemployed, compared to 12% for the same period last year.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/new-research-reveals-groups-most-affected-by-recession/
Participation in education, training and employment statistics
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has released data from 2008 on national curriculum assessments at key stage three in England, figures on the participation in education, training and employment by 16 to 18-year-olds in England, and statistics on provision for children under-five in England. Figures show that 88% of 16 and 17 year-olds are now participating in education or training but that the proportion of 18 year-olds that are not participating has risen to 17%, reflecting current economic conditions and changes in the labour market.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0111
YCS & LSYPE - Activities and Experiences of 17 year olds
The DCSF has published the second in a series of publications using two large surveys, the Youth Cohort Study and Longitudinal Study of Young People in England. The publication looks at ‘Activities and Experiences of 17 year olds: England 2008' including young people's views of society, feelings of safety, experiences of bullying, educational attainment, caring responsibilities and more.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SBU/b000850/index.shtml
Youth Taskforce Progress Report
The DCSF has published a new report on the progress of the Youth Taskforce Action Plan. The reforms are focused on delivering services that are accessible, relevant, and responsive to feedback, ensuring that young people are supported at the earliest possible opportunity to resolve difficulties and make successful transitions to adulthood.
http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00640-2009&
Targeted Youth Support: Next Steps
A new DCSF report on targeted youth support reforms sets out how the Department intends to help local areas improve and develop their Targeted Youth Support arrangements in the future. The reforms contribute to the Children's Plan commitment and in the delivery of a number of national priorities, including improving attendance and behaviour, narrowing attainment gaps, reducing teenage pregnancy, and raising the participation age.
http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00639-2009&
Funding Central - new online resource
The new funding website funded by the Office of the Third Sector and delivered by NCVO has now been launched. The resource brings together funding opportunities in the form of grants, loans and contracts, as well as advice, support services and partnership opportunities for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/default.aspx
Beacon Initiative Grants: develop and promote practice - equality & diversity
Children England in co-operation with CWDC is offering children's voluntary sector organisations the chance to apply for a small grant (maximum £2,500) to support innovative ideas to better promote equality and diversity with the workforce and then share these with the rest of the sector. The scheme is being finalised but expressions of interest and more information can be logged with audie@childrenengland.org.uk.
Fair Access to Professions - national youth survey results
A new survey by the Panel on Fair Access to Professions reveals that young people feel they are not given the careers advice they need but have a thirst for a professional career. The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions was announced in January 2009 to complement measures contained in the New Opportunities White Paper. The Cabinet Office has also published a Phase 2 Good Practice paper.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/strategy/work_areas/accessprofessions.aspx
Queen's Birthday Honours List 2009
The 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours List has been published, recognising outstanding achievement and service across the whole of the United Kingdom. The award recipients include Phillipa Russell, for services to Disabled Children, Young People and Family Carers; Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of the Foyer Federation for services to Disadvantaged Young People; and Paul Ennals, Chief Executive of the National Children's Bureau.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2009/090613_birthdayhonours.aspx
Human Rights Inquiry
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published the first major study into how far public sector authorities have adopted a rights-based approach to delivering services. While there were some positive results, the report says that individuals and public service providers have failed to harness the Human Rights Act's full potential: only 25% of public sector directors 'felt they received sufficient information about human rights cases, or that their operational managers and front-line staff received sufficient, timely access to such information'.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/commission-unveils-findings-of-study-into-human-rights/
One free spot open on Human Rights & Young People course
To help increase understanding of the human rights approach and how it can empower young people, NCVYS and the BIHR are organising a one-day training course on 25 June. 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 as advocates for young people. No previous knowledge of Human Rights is necessary! One free space is available for anyone interested in attending but will be allocated on a first come first served basis - email ilona@ncvys.org.uk to request the spot.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/blogs.php?act=view_topic&id=117
National minimum wage for apprentices
On behalf of the Government, the Low Pay Commission is consulting on the national minimum wage for apprentices. To have your say and inform a NCVYS response, please complete a short poll on the NCVYS website by Friday 10 July.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/polls.php?act=view&id=37
Safeguarding against gangs
NCVYS has responded to the DCSF's consultation Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity. Recommendations include consistent and effective voluntary and community youth sector (VCYS) engagement with Local Safeguarding Children's Boards and that Government and local strategic bodies should utilise and support the development of resources produced by the VCYS to strengthen local partnerships, in particular small VCYS organisations. The response was endorsed by Children England.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=273
Religion, Youth, and Sexuality: A Multi-faith Exploration - Call for Young People
A new collaborative research project in Nottingham, funded by the Arts & Humanities Council and the Economic & Social Research Council, is looking for respondents to complete an online questionnaire which explores young people's religious faith and sexuality. The project focuses on young people who are aged 18 to 25, living in the UK.
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sociology/rys/Participation.php
Climate Squad - youth environment programme
A £1.5 million youth environment programme - Climate Squad - has been launched through a partnership with the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, v and Global Action Plan. It will engage 3,000 16-25 year olds in volunteering over the next two years to help individuals and communities cut carbon emissions through simple, practical actions. To inform this development, v surveyed 1,255 young people about their attitudes to climate change, their willingness to take action and potentially volunteer to make a difference.
http://www.vinspired.com/v/news/225-climate-squad-launched-to-tackle-climate-change
Youth opportunities - recruiting project leaders and volunteers for Climate Squad
The Climate Squad is currently recruiting 300 young project leaders to deliver climate change initiatives in their communities. These will receive accredited training and support from Global Action Plan to roll this initiative out across England. Also the project is recruiting a small core group of around 20 volunteers to comment on all aspects of Climate Squad delivery, from the design of volunteering opportunities and recruitment activities to the layout of the social networking website and online training materials.
http://www.climatesquad.org.uk/
Big Board Talk to help charities with the recession
With the support of the CBI, the Charity Commission has launched an initiative - the Big Board Talk - to get all charities to ask themselves some serious questions. The Big Board Talk is ‘the conversation all charities need to have', and the direct result of an extensive four-month programme of outreach and research by the Commission. It covers the key areas where charities tell us they're most vulnerable and asks 15 key questions to help trustee boards look at both the options and opportunities available to them, right now.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/prbigb.asp
Playday on 5 August - grants available
Playday is an annual national campaign to get children and young people out to play at locally organised events. The 2009 campaign theme, Make time!, calls for all children, young people and families to make time for play in their local communities on 5 August 2009. Big Lottery Awards for All grants will be available to support delivery of local play events.
http://www.playday.org.uk/default.aspx
http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/index.html
Real meals: Simple cooking - cold food that tastes great
The DCSF has published a new cookbook for young people entitled Real meals: Simple cooking - cold food that tastes great. The book contains more than 20 recipes which will help give young people and families the chance to learn and develop cooking skills through simple, healthy dishes.
http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00636-2009&
Administering medicines to young people
Unison is calling for an urgent review into medical procedures in schools, after a survey by the union found that more than 70% of teaching assistants and schools support staff are expected to administer medicines for conditions including asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, and to complete complex medical procedures, including changing colostomy bags and tube feeding children.
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=1453
Councillor's Guide 2009/10
The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) has published a new edition of the ‘Councillor's Guide' for this year. The revised publication reflects the latest legislation and thinking concerning local government in England. The guide provides information on: being a councillor; civic life, community leadership and useful contacts.
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=10393727
Opportunity to shape new programme developing young people's workforce
CWDC is holding 11 regional consultations and an online consultation throughout June 2009 to give those who work with young people the opportunity to shape the next stages of the youth workforce development programme. The programme aims to strengthen leadership and management, build capacity in the third sector and create a common platform of skills which includes the development of a Youth Professional Status.
www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/young-peoplesworkforce-development
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
Young refugee and asylum seekers on service provision
As part of its regional events series, the Speaking Out project organised a joint participation event with the EHRC and the Children's Society to explore service provision for young refugee and asylum seekers. The event report, including findings and recommendations, is now available to download.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=568
THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
16-19 Funding
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls made a ministerial statement on the 16-19 funding allocation announcement this week under the September Guarantee.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090615/wmstext/90615m0001.htm#column_1WS
Children, Schools and Families questions
The Secretary of State, Ed Balls led a question and answer session around children, young people and schools on secondary schools, the Macdonald Review, sexually transmitted infections, child care, family holidays and Sure Start.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090615/debtext/90615-0001.htm#0906157000008
Apprentices
Following questions from Members, Under-Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships Iain Wright gave information on the support provided to under 18s undertaking apprenticeships and said that the planned national expenditure on 16 to 18 Apprenticeships for 2010-11 will be published in the LSC's Annual Statement of Priorities in autumn 2009, and confirmed in March 2010.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090615/text/90615w0028.htm#column_132W
Young Offenders: Restraint Techniques
Following questions from David Howarth (Lib Dem, Cambridge), Justice Minister, Maria Eagle gave data on the different restraint techniques used on young offenders since 2007 in secure training centres and children's homes.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090616/text/90616w0029.htm#column_271W
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