NCVYS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 453

21 August 2009

Mediabox funding for youth-led media projects to explore community cohesion

Mediabox, the fund which supports 13-19 year olds to create their own media projects, has opened its Mix Mediabox strand. Mix Mediabox enables organisations working within the community to apply for grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 for youth-led media projects that explore the theme of community cohesion. Mix Mediabox is run in partnership by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to support the agenda for cohesive and integrated communities.

http://www.media-box.co.uk/

£10,000 Youth Volunteer Grants Up For Grabs

Global Charities, in conjunction with Global Radio and v, have announced a new round of funding for youth organisations to receive up to £10,000 to facilitate new volunteering opportunities for 16-25 year olds in England, for a wide range of projects including supporting other people in the community, sport workshops, or media, arts and music projects. Applications are welcomed particularly from groups working with young people who don't traditionally volunteer, and offer young people opportunities and progression once the project is complete. The deadline for applications is 4 September 2009.

http://www.vinspired.com/v/news/254-p10000-grants-for-youth-volunteering-available

A level and AS results announced

The UK 2009 A level and AS results out this week show that the overall pass rates at both levels have remained broadly steady. There has been a 12% rise in number of students taking mathematics A levels in the last year. Further maths was also up 15% from last year with Maths and Further Maths seeing the highest proportion of A-grade candidates. Also, this is the first year the new Extended Project qualification, worth half an A level, has been available to students doing in-depth, independent research into a subject of their choice. 5094 students completed the new qualification with an overall pass rate of 90%.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0151

Debate over university places

The university admissions body, UCAS has announced that around 371,016 students had received a place at university so far, representing around 60% of all students that applied. UCAS said that 135,114 students were eligible for clearing this year but that there were only 22,000 places available at universities through the clearing process. The government had tried to expand the number of university places available by 10,000, introducing emergency places on maths and science courses. But top universities declined the offer as the courses would only be partially funded by government.

http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/disaster-over-university-places-1/

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/website/news/media_releases/2009/app_stats09/appsta210809.html

Guidance on the employment of children

The DCSF has published guidance to explain the law on child employment for local authorities, employers, parents and other stakeholders. It includes some best practice advice to help those implementing it to deal with the sorts of practical questions they regularly face. This will enable employers to operate as prudently as possible within the legal framework to their benefit and to the benefit of the young people themselves. It refers to the special rules which apply to the employment of children under the school leaving age but does not cover general employment law.

http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00827-2009&

One Children's Workforce Framework tender

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is inviting proposals from national and regional children and young people's third sector organisations, especially those involved in direct service delivery, who wish to use the new One Children's Workforce Framework. The aim of the tool is to assess their workforce, identify areas of strength and areas where progress is required and to work with other tender holders to assess its suitability for the sector, sharing learning and promoting its use, if required, be involved in the final stages of user testing of the tools. £20,000 is available for each tender and the deadline for applications is 1pm on 21 September 2009.

http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/tenders/show/112

Statement on social workers consultation

A statement setting out what social workers do to support children and families and how they do it has been published and put up for consultation by the CWDC. The 14-page statement has come out of the Social Work Task Force interim report which sets out the contribution made by social workers who work with children and families. This document offers social workers a clear description of what is expected of them in their role, as well as providing their employers with a basis for planning ahead for their workforce. The online consultation closes on 21 September 2009.

http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/social-work/statement/consultation

Communitybuilders Fund eligibility criteria confirmed

Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) has confirmed the criteria for the soon-to-be launched Communitybuilders Fund with the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). This is a £70 million investment programme to facilitate a commitment made by the Government to build more cohesive, empowered and active communities to be launched on 7 September.

http://www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk/index

Guidance from Heads of Young People's Services on schools and youth work

New guidance, published by the Confederation of Heads of Young People's Services (previously APYCO - the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers), sets out the concept of the 'Team Around the School' and identifies the contribution of youth work and success factors that can improve students' experience of and achievement in formal education.

http://www.chyps.org.uk/news.asp#News19

Social workers - ‘Help Give Them a Voice' campaign

The ‘Help Give Them A Voice' campaign by the DCSF and the Department of Health has been launched to recruit more social workers. A series of films involving celebrities have been posted on the new campaign website to promote the work of social workers. The films are designed to help people think again about what social workers do and to encourage people who think they could make a difference for someone to apply to train as a social worker. A wider recruitment drive by The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) will follow this campaign.

http://www.helpgivethemavoice.com/

Progress on implementation of 14-19 reforms

Ofsted has published its second report evaluating the progress made in implementing 14-19 reforms, including the introduction of Diplomas. Overall, 14-19 initiatives have continued to widen opportunities and meet the needs of young people. Progress in introducing the Diplomas was promising across the 23 consortia visited, many of which have been at the forefront of 14-19 developments. While the main subject learning of the Diplomas was generally going well, other elements, and particularly functional skills, needed more attention.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Implementation-of-14-19-reforms-including-the-introduction-of-Diplomas

Young Achievers Awards 2009 now open for nominations

The Awards recognise inspirational volunteers, activists and social entrepreneurs aged 16-25 years-old. This year's eight winners will receive £1,000 cash prize for their projects, ‘money can't buy' prizes and a year's support for their future projects. A further 24 runners up and shortlisted young people will receive cash prizes and development opportunities. Nominations are open until 27 September 2009. Young people can self nominate or be nominated by someone who recognizes their achievements.

http://www.youngachievers.co.uk/nominatenow.aspx

Children's services in the spotlight - safeguarding and children's social work

The Local Government Association is organising a national conference on 24 September 2009. The event will bring together a range of speakers from all sectors and levels of government to explore developments in safeguarding and children's social work in 2009, looking at the challenges, the responses and where we go now to make social work a profession that is respected and which attracts the brightest and best to do this invaluable work, often in the most challenging circumstances.

http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/events/display-event.do?id=1911719

Social Enterprise Access to Investment programme open for applications

The Social Enterprise Access to Investment (SEATI) programme jointly funded by the OTS and NESTA is now open for applications and will aim to find ways for social enterprises to gain the advice and support they need from Investment Readiness Providers (IRPs) to access growth finance.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/seati.aspx

Social Enterprise Ambassadors revamped website

The Government has re-launched the Social Enterprise Ambassadors website, introduced in the Social Enterprise Action Plan in November 2006. Features include new case studies, photos, videos, speaker profiles, news, campaigns and blogs to help inspire social entrepreneurs all over England in different industries including IT, health and social care, retail, marketing, transport, recycling, the arts and education.

http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/home

vinspired National Awards 2009 closing soon

The vinspired National Awards 2009 are still open for nominations until 31 August. There are 10 awards altogether including nine for young volunteers 16-25 - individuals and teams - who have made a difference to the community through volunteering, and one award for staff helping to support young people. The awards are open to all projects, not only v-funded projects, and anyone can nominate although you cannot nominate yourself. Young people interested in becoming regional judges should contact regionaljudge@vinspired.com.

http://www.vinspired.com/awards/national-awards/judging-process

Good Governance code for the voluntary and community sector consultation

The steering group of the voluntary and community sector's Code of Good Governance has opened a three-month consultation on the Code's key principles. The consultation has been launched following the Code's steering group's decision to make the principles more accessible and applicable to all organisations in the sector. Good Governance: a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector was published in 2005, and a review conducted by nfp Synergy last year found that 42% of organisations surveyed had used the Code, and another 29% were aware of it.

www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WwPJWePWtKhvCOGFQ_2fjUwg_3d_3d

Global youth climate initiative

The global youth climate initiative PlanetCall is campaigning to get 1 million signatures from young people around the world in the final 100 days before world leaders gather for the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen (COP15) in December 2009. The pledge calls on all nations to sign to an ambitious global climate treaty, taking into account the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). PlanetCall was initiated by The Copenhagen Climate Council and Danish think tank Monday Morning, and brings together youth organisations like the China Youth Climate Action Network and the India Youth Climate Network.

http://www.planetcall.org/

Celebrate young people's involvement through the Young Partners Award 2009

The Young Partners Award is a celebration of young people's involvement in decision making within voluntary and community organisations and projects. If you know of an organisation that works with and for young people, why not nominate them? Winners will receive cash prizes, certificates, promotional opportunities and free membership with NCVYS. The closing date is Friday 18 September 2009.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=272

Consultant needed for associate membership scheme feasibility study

NCVYS wishes to appoint a consultant to carry out a feasibility study into a potential associate membership scheme. This scheme would be aimed at private and public sector organisations that don't meet the criteria for full NCVYS membership but who may have an interest in working with us and our network, and receiving NCVYS news and information. The deadline for tenders is at 5pm Friday 4 September 2009.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/blogs.php?act=view_topic&id=134

Development Manager: Networks and learning vacancy closing next week

NCVYS is recruiting a key individual to lead and develop its network development strategy. You will be responsible for developing and implementing NCVYS's work to support local and regional networks. This will include developing partnerships with external organisations and providing support to networks via training, events, consultancy and the effective development of good practice. You will take a lead role in the management and implementation of NCVYS's diversity strategy and programme. You will also develop and manage NCVYS's pool of consultants and support NCVYS to pilot new business development models. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 26 August 2009.

http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?alias=curvac

Firm Foundations - how trusts and foundations are responding to the economic downturn in 2009

According to new research by the Charity Commission, charitable trusts and foundations realise now is not the time to turn off the tap of support for Britain's charities. Firm Foundations: A snapshot of how trusts and foundations are responding to the economic downturn in 2009, shows that despite the recession, charitable trusts and foundations are committed to supporting charities. One key finding from the report is that the downturn has had a positive effect on governance in the trusts and foundations interviewed, who are taking a strategic and considered approach, with trustees reflecting more on their collective board responsibilities.

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/foundation.asp

Internet safety resource for parents and carers

The Government's myguide website, a free online tool, now has additional features for users aimed at helping parents and carers catch up with their children on Internet use. myguide is part of the Government's implementation of Dr Tanya Byron's review of internet safety. The added features are an interactive guidance course and quiz to help families manage the risks while enjoying the benefits of the web. It includes many of the top parental concerns about the internet, from phishing and spam to online rogue traders and extremist websites, from chat rooms to music file-sharing, and from stealth marketing to safety filters.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0152

THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT