Remember that Shine week 2009 starts on Monday! Get involved in the national celebration of young people between 6-10 July and help promote positive images of all young people! This will be followed by the OPEN weekend, from 10-11 July where providers and young people are encouraged to make the most of activities for young people!
NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 446
3 July 2009
The Youth of Today Leadership Fund launched
Gordon Brown has launched The Youth of Today Leadership Fund worth £1m to support innovative leadership opportunities for young people. Funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and managed by the Young Foundation, the fund will invest in up to 40 third sector organisations delivering leadership programmes for young people across England ranging from investments of between £5,000 to £100,000 over two years. The Youth of Today is led by a consortium previously known as the National Body for Youth Leadership.
http://www.theyouthoftoday.org/
Review of the CYPF Grant Programme
The DCSF has launched a review of the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) grant programme which funds third sector organisations for activities which support delivery of the Every Child Matters agenda and the Department's Children's Plan. NCVYS will be submitting a joint response on behalf of the sector so please email hannah@ncvys.org.uk with your feedback.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=consultationDetails&consultationId=1612&external=no&menu=1
Building Britain's Future
Gordon Brown has published the Government's Building Britain's Future, announced in April 2009. Under new plans, young people under 25 who have been unemployed for a year will be required to take up a guaranteed job, work experience or training place, or lose their benefits. Long term plans include making every young person give at least 50 hours of community service in their teenage years.
http://www.hmg.gov.uk/buildingbritainsfuture.aspx
LGA research on NEETs
According to a new report by the Local Government Association, the number of young people not in employment, education or training has risen to 935,000 and is expected to top one million by September. The report, Hidden talents: re-engaging young people, argues for a much stronger recognition that young people's willingness to stay on in education is formed very early and that family influences are important. It shows that low skills can be inherited if more early action is not taken.
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=2146838
Young unemployed ‘ashamed' to claim benefits
Despite the rise in youth unemployment, a new report by YouthNet shows that some young people feel shame in claiming Job Seekers' Allowance and Income Support. Published as part of a project funded by HM Revenue & Customs, the survey Tick Tax provides a snapshot of young people's finances and the mental burdens they face, suggesting that young people would rather be financially independent than rely upon the welfare system.
http://www.youthnet.org/www.YouthNet.org/MediaandCampaigns/PressReleases/TickTax
Non-statutory national guidance on commissioning, delivery and evaluation of PAYP
The guidance document, Creating a sense of belonging, brings together the learning from 15 local authority areas targeted to receive additional Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) in 2008/09. This includes guidance on commissioning, delivery and evaluation of PAYP programmes in 2009/10 and 2010/11. NCVYS is represented on the DCSF PAYP national stakeholder group which advised on the development of this guidance.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/Youth/aiminghigh/aiminghigh/
To access the Talking Trusts document containing recommendations for Children's Trusts working with voluntary and community organisations: http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=368#ttrusts
Comprehensive spending review delayed
Lord Mandelson confirmed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the spending review will be delayed until after the general election, as the current economic instability is making it too difficult to assess long-term spending plans. It is expected that public spending will be subject to cuts when the current plans run out at the end of 2011.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l9b92
Equality Bill - age discrimination consultation
The Government Equalities Office has published a new consultation - Equality Bill: Making it work - Ending age discrimination in services and public functions. The document sets out how the Government is developing policy proposals for exceptions from the age discrimination ban. The closing date for comments is 30 September 2009. Young Equals, the campaign to end age discrimination against young people, will be responding to this consultation. To find out more contact Carla Garnelas at the CRAE on equality@crae.org.uk.
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/news/age_consultation.aspx
Young runaways - guidance for local authorities
The DCSF has published new statutory guidance, which has been developed with the English Coalition for Runaway Children, for all local authorities. It sets out how they must work with other agencies including the voluntary sector to better support young runaways. An online resource pack will be available for schools and youth groups from September 2009 to warn children and young people about the dangers they face if they run away.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0121
New research quarterly on young people and the recession
The Institute for Public Policy Research has launched a free, new quarterly newsletter - Youth Tracker - looking at how Britain's young people are faring in the recession, and what we can do to support them. The series will feature new research, statistics and opinions from key academics and policy experts.
http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=674
Forced marriage guidance for inter-agency working
The Government has published joint guidelines to help agencies working with children and families work together more effectively, to better identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage. Although the guidance is aimed at statutory services, it may be useful to those working in the voluntary and community sector.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0123
Research on forced marriage
To inform the guidance, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) commissioned research to improve understanding of the prevalence of forced marriage and examine how services are currently responding. The research included a mapping study and qualitative case studies. Voluntary and community organisations working with young people and BME groups were involved. The research recommends the sector's involvement.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/programmeofresearch/projectinformation.cfm?projectId=15565&type=5&resultspage=1
Higher education participation by socio-economic class
New Government figures, published by the Business Innovations and Skills Department (BIS), reveal that 21% of 18- to 21-year-olds taking degrees last year were from the poorest four socio-economic groups, compared with 18% the year before. See also Ministerial Statement by David Lammy on freezing student loans and increasing tuition in Parliamentary news section below.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000862/index.shtml
Report on binge drinking, social exclusion and homelessness
According to new research by the University of Kent and Cardiff University, commissioned by the Salvation Army, a generation of young people may be binge drinking their lives away, oblivious to the dangers of social exclusion and homelessness that could result from their excessive behaviour. The research, Seeds of Exclusion, involved clinical assessments of 967 homeless adults, revealing particularly alarming results for 18-25 year-olds.
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/seeds
Increased water charges for voluntary and community groups
NCVYS is supporting member organisations including the Scout Association, Community Matters, the Church of England and others who are lobbying Ofwat over the proposed changes to water charges. Voluntary and community groups who operate community buildings are at risk of losing the exemption that enabled them not to be charged for disposal of the surface water that runs into sewers from their buildings at the same rate as privately owned or commercial premises. The Scouts are holding a mass lobby of parliament at 2.00pm on 15 July and NCVYS urges members to attend or write to your local MP.
http://www.scout.org.uk/water
Roma youth inclusion work
The European Commission has published a booklet to showcase some of the youth inclusion work that has been done with and for Roma communities in Europe through the Youth in Action programme, which has a particular focus on Roma youth in 2009/10. It is aimed at youth leaders and promoters of the programme to raise awareness of the possibilities through non-formal education for greater inclusion of this minority group.
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/news1528_en.htm#
Environment community of interest
Many young people have a strong interest in environmental matters, ranging from the global, such as climate change, to the local, such as the quality of their school grounds. Several NCVYS member organisations are concerned that this environmental interest is neither sufficiently acknowledged by government, nor exploited by the youth work sector to benefit young people themselves. The NCVYS Environment Community of Interest is a new group, open to all NCVYS members. Initially, it intends to produce advice to help members to create their own environmental policy. Please take part in a short poll to help us start the process and ensure the community of interest is working to meet your needs.
http://www.ncvys.org.uk/polls.php?act=view&id=38
Young People's Learning Agency appointments
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has confirmed the appointments of Les Walton, as the Chair of the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) committee, and Peter Lauener, who will be the first Chief Executive of the YPLA, dependent on the successful passage of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill. The YPLA will play a key role in 16-19 provision, working with Government and local authorities to help develop and deliver their vision and plans for young people's learning.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0117
White Paper on 21st century schools
The DCSF has published its White Paper entitled Your Child, Your Schools, Our Future: Building a 21st century schools system. Measures include a commitment that all young people will be required to remain in education or training until they are 18; parents to be held more accountable for their children's actions backed by the threat of legal action; and the introduction of the school report card as a means to monitor a school's achievements.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0116
Swine flu update to treatment phase
The Department of Health has issued an updated approach to managing the swine flu pandemic, moving from containment into the treatment phase. Detailed information on what a treatment approach means is available online.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/InformationandGuidance/index.htm
Online forum to raise issues to Children's Minister
Children and Young People Now magazine are running an online forum to let Dawn Primarolo, the Minister for Children, Young People and Families, know about what should be her priorities in her new role. NCVYS is urging members to raise issues on the forum.
http://community.cypnow.co.uk/forums/p/1272/3337.aspx
General Election survey for young people - a chance to win £50 vouchers
In preparation for the next General Election, the British Youth Council has launched an online survey entitled Our Parliament, Our Vision. BYC wants the new Parliament formed by the General Election to put into practice the actions young people themselves know will make their lives better. By taking part in the survey, young people can vote for an action from the BYC Youth Manifesto 2008/09; or submit a new idea. There's also the chance to win £50 of high street vouchers in a prize draw!
http://www.byc.org.uk/media.php?parent_id=162&content_id=550
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WNF_2fCX9njUB4RUmuwCcIRw_3d_3d
THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
Freeze in student loans and rise in tuition fees
The Universities Minister, David Lammy has made a Ministerial Statement in parliament that due to the recession, the Government has decided to freeze the current package of maintenance support for full-time students. Teacher training grants of up to £6,000, which had been universally offered, are to be restricted to people from lower income homes. In addition, tuition fees are set to rise by 2.04%.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jul/01/student-grant-frozen-tuition-fees
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090701/wmstext/90701m0001.htm#09070157000008
Government's Draft Legislative Programme (2009-10)
The Leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman made a ministerial statement around the Government's Draft Legislative Programme 2009-10, as a part of the Government's proposals for Building Britain's Future. The Government are proposing to introduce 11 Bills including the Constitutional Renewal Bill, the Bribery Bill and the Improving Schools and Safeguarding Children Bill. The Equality Bill and Child Poverty Bill have already been introduced but will continue during the next session. The proposals are open for consultation, which will close on 21 September 2009.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090629/wmstext/90629m0001.htm#column_4WS
http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2826.asp
Commons report on looked-after children
The Children, Schools and Families Committee has published its Fourth Special Report entitled Looked-after Children: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2008-09. The report contains the Government's response to the recommendations made by the Committee in its Third Report of Session 2008-09, on Looked-after Children.
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/csf/csfpn250609_.cfm
Voluntary Sector: Water Charges and Youth Volunteering Database
Third Sector Minister, Angela E. Smith, led a debate on the voluntary sector during the economic downturn. Following a question by Robert Key (Con, Salisbury) on the impact of water charges on charities and community groups, the Minister said she is currently examining the matter. Following a further question by AGGP Youth Affairs Chair Natascha Engel (Lab, North-East Derbyshire) on getting young people into employment, the Minister mentioned that v had received significant funding to develop youth volunteering opportunities and is building a database of volunteering opportunities for young people. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090701/debtext/90701-0001.htm#09070159000028
Third Sector Funding
In response to a question by Stewart Jackson (Con, Peterborough), Third Sector Minister, Angela E. Smith gave information on third sector funding in the last year: Capacitybuilders allocated over £24 million to charities and voluntary sector organisations. The Communitybuilders programme, announced in the White Paper Communities in Control in July 2008, will be open for applications this summer, and its national partner will be the Adventure Capital Fund. Further reforms to the Gift Aid programme are currently being considered by the Treasury in consultation with Ministers.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090701/debtext/90701-0002.htm#09070159000032
Future Jobs Fund and small VCOs
Following a question by David S. Borrow (Lab, South Ribble) on what estimate the Government has made of the proportion of future jobs fund jobs that will come from the third sector, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper didn't provide figures but said that the third sector is strongly encouraged to make bids to the fund to deliver jobs for young people. Mr Borrow raised the issue that many small voluntary sector bodies employ only a handful of people, and therefore would not be eligible to apply individually. The Secretary suggested partnership bigs to include small charities.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090629/debtext/90629-0002.htm#0906296000022 |
