Archive

This archive contains a record of all previous Children and Young People Lancashire (CYPL) News - e-bulletins.

CYPL News Archive 2011

Here are our news archives for 2011.

CYPL News - September 2011

The Commissioning World for Children and Young People

A ‘hearing’ for third sector organisations in Lancashire to share information and ideas about what’s happening and your place in the new approach with Helen Denton, Lancashire County Council's Executive Director for Children and Young People. 18 October 2 to 4 pm in Cabinet Room A at County Hall. This is an open invitation, however, places are limited. Please e-mail Tracy Gardiner at tracy.gardiner@via-uk.com if you wish to attend, who will let you know as possible if places are still available.

Young People's Service: Phase 2 Re-organsiation proposals

Lancashire County Council's Young People's Service must find savings of a further £3.015 million over the period 2012/14. Find out about how they propose to do this and voice your opinion.

"We are greater together"

Leaders of 'not for profit' organisations working with children, young people and families in Lancashire are invited to attend a Launch Event*; specifically prospective members (those wishing to apply for membership) of a new consortium - Greater Together, which has been established to bid for larger scale contracts and enable collaborative working. * Note: The launch event is now fuly booked. Further information about how to apply for membership will be issued in due course.

Participation Works launches new Young Inspectors Package

Following the success of the Youth4U – Young Inspectors pilot programme which was a partnership of British Youth Council, NCB and KIDS and was funded by the Department for Education - Participation Works have developed tailored packages of resources and training to help other local authorities and private and

Larks in the Park: 'Aspire' in Lancashire

In May 2010, with funding from V Volunteering and the Big Lottery Fund, Addaction developed the Aspire Project. Its aims are simple and effective. In an informal way, young people are given the skills and experience to interact with professionals, services and adults. They do this in group settings, workshops and through role play, helping build their confidence and focus their attention. Many go on to receive AQA’s and Youth Achievement Awards for their coursework, a landmark achievement for many.

The Nancy Athey Volunteer of the Year Award

The award for a volunteer in South Ribble who goes the extra mile and show commitment and dedication in their role. All nominees will receive a certificate and the winner of the trophy will keep it for a year. The deadline for nominations is 15^th November 2011.

Speak Up Preston Announces... the East Preston Challenge

Speak Up Preston is offering people across Deepdale, Ribbleton and St Matthew’s the chance to win cash prizes for ideas that help make East Preston a place to be proud of.

Volunteering Opportunities at Key

Ready for a new challenge? Are you a good listener? Find out how you could help families get along by becoming a Volunteer Mediator with KEY.

Key succesfully support families to work out their differences through mediation. In most cases families report a great improvement in their relationships following Key’s help. This service is made possible by the work of our committed volunteers.

Ursula Patten, Key’s Service Manager, says “ This is a great example of the Big Society in action with local people giving up their time to help each other”.

If you would like to become part of our team, we are looking for people who:

o have life experience;

o want to make a difference; and

o a desire to work with families and teenagers.

This is an exciting and valued project, helping families to resolve conflict and build better relationships. Full training will be provided. Full CRB (criminal records buraeu) check will be necessary and references requested.

For an application pack or to discuss this opportunity please call KEY on 01772 625597. If you would like to discuss volunteering as a mediator please ask to speak with Rosie Costello (Mediation Co-ordinator).

If you would like to make a donation please text keyz00 and the amount you want to donate to 70070.

Job Vacancies at Key

Full Time Floating Support Worker

(£15039- £18453 flexible hours)

Part time Administrator

(£13874-£14733 pro rata, 18.25 hours per week - flexible hours)

The closing date for both vacancies is Friday the 7^th October .

VSNW Annual Conference - OPen for all?

Book now for VSNW’s Annual Conference and AGM – places are limited. Tuesday 4 October. King’s Conference Centre, Manchester. Nearly all the places for VSNW’s annual conference have now been booked.

National Citizen Service 2012 pilots

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society has announced that nineteen service providers have been selected to run National Citizen Service (NCS) pilots in 2012. He said that up to 30,000 16-year-olds would have the chance to benefit from the scheme next year, a three-fold increase on the number of places in 2011. Other providers will be announced shortly. Visit: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

All charities need umbrellas!

The Charity Commission will expect all charities to become part of a voluntary sector umbrella body, and has mooted highlighting on the Commission website the memberships that charities hold.

Institute for Youth Work

The National Youth Agency, as part of its work with the Catalyst consortium, has launched a consultation to assess the potential for an Institute for Youth Work. The consultation, which will run to the 30 November 2011, aims to capture the youth sector's desire for the development of an Institute for Youth Work and thoughts and views on how it would potentially operate. There is an on-line survey available and a consultation event on the 8 November (or you can facilitate your own). Visit: www.ncvys.org.uk

Summer school programme

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced a new £50 million pupil premium summer school programme to help the most disadvantaged pupils make the transition from primary to secondary school. The scheme will benefit up to 100,000 pupils per year. They will benefit from two weeks of additional teaching through the scheme. All pupils eligible for free school meals who are making the transition between primary and secondary school in September 2012 will attract the extra funding. Schools will make a judgement on which pupils need extra support in making the transition.

Adventure activities licensing

The National Council for Vountary Youth Services (NCVYS) has published its response to the Health and Safety Executive's consultation on the Proposed replacement for the licensing regime for adventure activities established under the Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act 1995 in England. The NCVYS response said "we welcome reducing legislation and regulation, but we are concerned that a new Code of Practice with an increased scope of activities will place additional burdens on youth organisations.

Youth Work Resources

Children and Young People Now has brought together virtual youth work activity resource packs under different topics, such as sexual health and alcohol. Each pack contains activities from the pages of CYP Now and Youth Work Now, and links to external quizzes, games, worksheets and other activities. Our youth club sessions offer ideas on how to engage young people in a range of key topics.

Find out more at the CYP Now Website

Consultation on proposed directions for Big Lottery Fund

The Government has opened a 12-week consultation on proposed new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund. BIG is the largest distributor of funding from the National Lottery to good causes and aims to bring real improvements to communities, and to the lives of people most in need. The consultation closes at midnight on Friday 18 November.

POLICY AND SUPPORT

Would you find Peer Support helpful?

Lancaster University has created ‘Solution Search’ a peer support network for people offering social care and support to children, young people and their families. To date the network has engaged social work, education and health care professionals but we wish to open the offer to a wider range of people who may find such support helpful in these challenging times. Currently we have 30 people signed up to the network. If you would like to join the existing group or be a part of setting up another Solution Search specifically for your interests please contact me at: ASSURE (Applied Social Science Unit for Research and Evaluation) c.simmill-binning@lancaster.ac.uk or telephone 01524 594126.

Impact of benefits cap on children

The Children's Society has released new analysis which shows that the government's proposed cap on benefits will cut support for more than 200,000 children. The Department of Work and Pensions' proposed scheme aims to promote fairness and get adults back into work by limiting benefits for out-of-work households to £500 per week for couples and families with children. The Children's Society's analysis says that the cap will impact around 50,000 households, 95 per cent of which are estimated to have children.

Youth workers pay award

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Youth and Community Workers meeting took place which discussed pay for 2011. The position of the Employers' Side remains that there will not be a pay award for 2011 but they are prepared to open discussions at joint secretary level later this year to see if there can be a pay award for 2012. They will be conducting a workforce survey towards the end of this year.

Safeguarding

Ofsted has published a report providing practical examples and detailed case studies of how Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) have helped to improve child protection. The Good practice by Local Safeguarding Children Boards report builds on previous research into the operation of LSCBs by analysing examples of how some boards are helping to improve child protection services and keep children in their area safe. Visit: www.ofsted.gov.uk

Careers advice motion

Shadow Education Secretary Andy Burnham has introduced a motion calling for the Government to act urgently to guarantee face-to-face careers advice for all young people in schools. Minister for Children and Families Tim Loughton responded on behalf of the Government. The motion was defeated by 288 votes to 220. Visit: www.theyworkforyou.com

Opportunities for young people motion

Shadow Business Secretary John Denham has introduced a motion calling for the Government to take action to secure business growth to create opportunities for young people. He said that young people face a more uncertain future which may not offer the increased opportunities and prosperity enjoyed by their parents and their grandparents. Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs Edward Davey responded on behalf of the Government. The motion was defeated by 297 votes to 234.

Buttle UK

Buttle UK offers small grants for essential items for children and young people including beds, cookers and washing machines. They also give support with education and training for young people. Applications should be made through a referring agency. Visit: www.buttleuk.org

Catch 22

The Realising Ambition programme, worth £25, is inviting applications from across the United Kingdom for grants of up to £3 million from organisations that can prove their effectiveness in diverting young people away from crime. It begins with ‘a call for evidence' on what works to support young people to fulfil their potential and avoid pathways into offending.

The Santander Foundation

The Santander Foundation is launching a new Social Enterprise Development Award to run alongside the Santander Foundation. The new award is aimed at established social enterprises and community interest companies who are working for the direct benefit of their community and wish to grow their business. To be eligible for an award of up to £50,000, social enterprises need to have been trading for at least two years and be working to improve social inclusion, support disadvantaged people or create a greener environment.

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Is heaven at the top of a beanstalk?

Cancer Help (Preston) are delivering a training day at their Preston HQ on Friday 14th October 2011. The purpose of the day is to give insight into coping strategies for professionals when dealing with pre and post bereaved children and young people.

Youth Work Sector Qualification Strategy

The review of the Youth Work National Occupational Standards (NOS) (detailed in last week's bulletin) is being delivered in parallel with the development of a Youth Work Sector Qualification Strategy. It will outline the current and future learning and qualifications needs of youth workers and those who work with young people using youth work methodologies. Responses are also required by the 21 October. Visit: www.excellencegateway.org.uk

Free training through the Lancashire Young People's Service

Free places available on Harm, Risks & Effects of Drug Use and Alcohol & Cannabis training days.

4^th Oct 2011 - Harm, Risks & Effects of Drug Use 09:30 – 16:30 Clayton Le Moors Youth Centre - 12

6^th Oct 2011 – Alcohol & Cannabis 09:30 – 16:30 Kirkham Youth Base - 16

8^th Oct 2011 – Alcohol & Cannabis 09:30 – 16:30 Oswaldtwistle – 19 p

If you have anyone interested please can you ask them to complete the attached application form and email it to workforcelearning&development@lancashire.gov.uk below as soon as possible. For further information or assistance please contact Lynsey Rimmer, Business Support Officer (Workforce Development) on 01772 531647.

www.lancashire.gov.uk/yps

Supervision training

Training to support 1,200 front line social work supervisors and managers to develop their skills and confidence has been made available by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC). Employers are being encouraged to register for the places designed for aspiring, new in post and experienced front-line managers of social workers, as well as supervisors on the CWDC Newly Qualified Social Worker and Early Professional Development programmes.

CYPL News - August 2011

Commissioning young people's services

Ofsted has published An evaluation of approaches to commissioning young people's services. The report found that local authorities are not always considering the voluntary and community sector, charities, or other arms of the public sector, when commissioning services for young people. Inspectors visited Young Lancashire, which is featured in the report, and a met with a range of voluntary sector partners to find out more about the Council's Commissioned Outcomes Fund and the work of Young Lancashire in creating a collaborative approach.

Introducing the Boom Bike Big Band!

Six young people from Lancaster and Morecambe have been chosen to join the brand new Boom Bike Big Band.

The band members, aged between 15 to 22 years old, include guitarist, Connor Gallagher, clarinet player, Erin Whalley, saxophonist, Fabian Schomerus, rapper/vocalist, Wilbert Sinzara, and music leaders Ashley Murphy and Matt Robinson.

Rehearsals are well underway and the band’s first performance will be at the Blaze Urban Culture Jam Festival, at Accrington Skate Park on Monday 29th August. This will be followed by appearances at Ride the Lights in Blackpool and Mintfest Street Arts Festival in Kendal.

The Boom Bike, designed by Ulverston-based artist Dan Fox, is a solar-powered battery operated mobile sound system, mounted on a bike, with inputs for microphones, mp3 players, mobile phones, laptops, musical instruments and DJ decks.

Find out more at on the Blaze website and make sure you 'like' the Boom Bike Big Band's new facebook page

Stories of Preston Guild: Looking back to look forward

To mark the importance of Preston Guild as part of Preston’s history, and to celebrate nearly 2 decades of celebrating and investing in Preston’s diverse heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund is offering groups the chance of a grant of up to £10,000 each to enable them to run projects which celebrate or explore an aspect of Preston’s history and heritage, and which contribute to activities throughout the Guild year of 2012.

Lancashire Global Education Centre highlighted in evaluation best practice guide

Evaluating Global Learning Outcomes, a recent publication from Think Global and the Charities Evaluation Services, has highlighted recent evaluation work conducted by LGEC as an example of innovative and effective evaluation in the global learning field. The book features a case study of the North West Global Education Network's use of the 'most significant change' evaluation methodology to evaluate the success of the Local Learning Networks of Schools programme.

Network Event - Burnley

The Basement Project in Burnley are holding a network event on Friday 23 September 12-3pm with the aim of promoting and celebrating local community services that can help offer support to others. For details please download: Event Flyer

North West Social Value Foundation launched

The new North West Social Value Innovation Investment Foundation has been launched, with £40,000 to invest in partnerships of NHS and VCS organisations delivering inspiring projects or programmes.

Get on your bike....Join Blaze at Ride the Lights!!

Bring your bike and Ride the Lights for an exciting preview of Blackpool Illuminations between 7pm and 10pm on Tuesday 30th August.

Young people from Morecambe Foyer are working with local artist Shane Johnstone to make a unique set of Blaze bike flags that will create a colourful visual display as part of this years event. Blaze will also be joined by the Boom Bike which will provide the tunes and head up the 25 strong procession of decorated bikes.

Ride at any point along the promenade from Starr Gate at South Shore to Red Bank Road in Bispham. You can ride as much or as little of the route as you are able.

Ride the lights is not a bike race, it's a fun and FREE bike ride open to all. A great opportunity to get out and about on your bike with both family and friends.

More information available at www.visitblackpool.com

Under the Town

Under the Town is a new music and fashion festival for under 19 year olds, organised by Blackpool Arts Award group, working with artists such as award-winning photographer Claire Pepper.

Prince's Trust partners with Blackburn Rovers FC

The Prince's Trust, has struck a deal with Premier League football club Blackburn Rovers to have their logo displayed on the team's match day shirts. The trust has built on its long established work in the Blackburn area and is now considering additional fundraising initiatives including match day collections, merchandise sales and end of season events. Visit: www.rovers.co.uk

Global Youth Worker

Global Link, based in Lancaster, require a Global Youth Worker to deliver global learning activities with young people, both in and out of schools, increasing awareness and understanding of global development, environment, migration and human rights issues. £22,165 (pro-rata – 10.5 hrs/week). Closing Date: Thursday 15 September 2011. An application form and more details are available at www.globallink.org.uk.

Good Childhood Conversations

Good Childhood Conversations is a new project run by the Children's Society which, through local, community events, brings people together to discuss the issues and pressures facing young people today.

Society has changed dramatically and attitudes towards children are different. Young people may have more material possessions but are they happier as a result?

NCVYS: Participate with Youth

Inspire, Innovate, Involve...

Are you interested in youth participation? Do you want fresh ideas on how to engage with young people? Keen to network with youth practitioners in your region and exchange knowledge and skills?

Voice of the North project publishes report

The Voice of the North Project brings together a partnership between key partners working for and with young people in the North of England. The majority of the young people are from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. From this and discussions last month with young people, One North West and JUST West Yorkshire have developed the report:

Hearing Unheard Voices Campaign Awards 2011

What are the Hearing Unheard Voices Campaign Awards?

These Campaign Awards will showcase the fantastic campaigning work done by young people from across the country, highlighting their enthusiasm, achievements and impact.

The Awards are brought to you by UK Youth Hearing Unheard Voices (HUV) project, working to empower and inspire young people aged 11-18 to campaign and speak out to make real changes.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson becomes President of NCVO's Leadership 20:20 Commission

As President of the NCVO's 20:20 Commission, Baroness Grey-Thompson, who is widely acknowledged as Britain’s greatest Paralympic athlete, will be helping to champion the work and recommendations for developing emerging leaders in civil society. She will also be launching the Commission’s recommendations on future leadership in December.

Commission on Youth Unemployment

The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) has established a Commission on Youth Unemployment, to be chaired by Rt Hon David Miliband MP. The ACEVO Commission will be reporting with proposals for tackling youth unemployment in winter this year. The other members of the Commission include: Debbie Scott (Tomorrow's People), Professor Paul Gregg (University of Bristol), Katherine Kerswell (Kent County Council), and Jonathan Portes (National Institute for Economic and Social Research).

Youth employment campaign

The government has launched a Facebook campaign offering young people advice on finding work. The 7 Day Jobs Challenge campaign is aimed at 18- to 24-year-olds and in particular those who are awaiting their GCSE and A-Level results. The Facebook page includes daily tips on finding a job and celebrity experts will be on hand to answer questions and be involved in daily discussions. Those involved include The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry and Reggae Reggae Sauce creator Levi Roots.

Open Public Services White Paper

Children England has produced a consultation briefing on the Open Public Services White Paper. The Open Public Services White Paper sets out how the Government will improve public services based on the five principles of choice, decentralisation, diversity, fairness and accountability. Visit: www.childrenengland.org.uk

Awards for children's projects

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one-off donations of between £500 and £4,000. The funding goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around Tesco stores in the UK. The next deadline for applications is 30 September. Visit: www.tescoplc.com/media/142631/community_award_guidelines.pdf

Prince's Trust Community Cash Awards

Community Cash Awards from the Prince's Trust help individuals set up projects that will benefit their community. Grants of up to £3,000 are available, with £1,500 given on average, to support setting up a project. Visit: www.princes-trust.org.uk

Grants for young people

The Live UnLtd programmed has grants of up to £5,000 (the average grant is £1,500) to help young people aged 11 - 21 turn an idea to make the world a better place into a reality. Non-financial support is also available and can include budgeting advice, networking opportunities, governance issues and working with volunteers. Visit: www.liveunltd.com

Edgar E Lawley Foundation

The Edgar E Lawley Foundation current annual grants programme amounts to approximately £250,000 per annum with a typical grant being in the region of £1,200 to £2,000. The Foundation supports six broad areas including children and young people. The next deadline for applications is 31 October. Visit: www.edgarelawleyfoundation.org.uk

Natwest Community Force: Grants of £6,000 for local charities and community projects

NatWest CommunityForce is a new initiative, supported by 97.4 RockFM, that empowers local projects and charities to raise awareness of their work and make their plans a reality with the support of NatWest and their local community.

Communities Together

A new pot of funding - £80m government-funded programme aimed at helping communities to come together through community groups to identify their strengths and local priorities, plan for the future and become more ‘resilient’. £30 m in small grants for the most deprived areas in the country; £50 m for a ‘national endowment match challenge’ which aims to encourage local giving for longer term sustainability. Applications will open ‘late summer’ and be managed by the Community Development Foundation.

sported. Launches in Lancashire

Sported. is a national charity that provides funding and capacity building support to organisations and individuals that use sport as a vehicle to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people aged 11-25. Having just launched in Lancashire, sported. are keen to receive applications from organisations and groups delivering community sports activities.

Global Youth Work

Global youth work (gyw) is an approach to youth work that starts from the perspective of a young person's personal life and their community , then embraces a global dimension - exploring the similarities, differences and links between that young person's life and young people's lives in other communities elsewhere.

More than ever, in a world which faces concerns such as global poverty, climate change, and racial and religious tensions, education has a key role to play to help people understand the world around them, to enable them to improve it, and to find solutions to our global problems. A fundamental belief is t hat education is instrumental in bringing about change. Young people have inherited a world which they passionately believe needs to change, yet are often ill-equipped, misinformed or frequently dis empowered to act. It is within this context we believe that learning for action and positive global change can be achieved through global youth work. Young Lancashire in partnership with Lancashire Global Education Centre are pleased to offer this Global Youth Work workshop, fully funded by the UK Government's Department for International Development. The workshop will take p lace on Wednesday 5 October 2011, from 10am - 4pm in Preston, Lancashire. Places for this workshop are limited, so please register now. If you require any further information regarding this, or any other training events offered by Young Lancashire, please contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk.

Accredited Outcomes

Young Lancashire's Accredited Outcomes training is essential for anyone who wants to help their organisation become more efficient and more effective. This training workshop is taking place at Preston CVS, Preston on Thursday 6 October 2011, from 1pm - 4pm.

If you wish to redeem your membership vouchers against this even t, you can do so at any time. If your Organisation is not currently in membership with Young Lancashire, and you would like more details a bout the information, support and representation we can offer you and the benefits available, please email us at supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk, requesting an information pack. As this is an interactive course, it requires a minimum number of delegates to be effective, so please register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £35. Please Note: Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Business Planning

Young Lancashire's Business Planning workshop will take place on Thursday 24 November 2011 , from 1pm - 4pm, at Preston CVS, Preston.

Places are limited, so please register now to secure your booking, and do remember, Young Lancashire membership vouchers can be redeemed against this workshop at any time. If your Organisation is not currently in membership with Young Lancashire, and you would like more details about the information, support and representation we can offer you and the benefits available, please email us at supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk, requesting an information pack. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £35. Please note: any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Child Protection

Young Lancashire's Child Protection Training will take place on Friday 23 September , from 9:30am - 4:00pm, at Preston CVS, Preston.

As this is an interactive course, it requires a minimum number of delegates to be effective, so please register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £55. Any surplus which may be earned form income generated through the pro vision of Membership Services will be allocated to wards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Entry Level to Youth Work

The cost for this course is £275 and this includes all registration and assessment charges. Young Lancashire member organisations will benefit from a 25% discount, therefore, paying just £206.25 for the full qualification and associated administration.

Places funded by Big Lottery Fund are available on this course, and they can be access via a bursary application form (available from our office: supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk) subject to applicant eligibility. This course is limited to 12 places, so please register now to confirm your booking. Please Note: Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

First Steps to Quality, PQASSO

Young Lancashire's First Steps to Quality / PQASSO training is essential for anyone who wants to help their organisation become more efficient and more effective. This training workshop is taking place at Preston CVS, Guildhall Arcade, Preston on Wednesday 31 August 2011 and costs £35 per person (Note: Young Lancashire membership vouchers can be redeemed against this event).

If your Organisation is not currently in membership with Young Lancashire, and you would like more information about the support and representation we can offer you and the benefits available, please email us at supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk, requesting an information pack. As this is an interactive course, it requires a minimum number of delegates to be effective, so please register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £35. Please Note: Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Introduction to Youth Participation

Young Lancashire's Introduction to Youth Participation (formerly Involving Children and Young People) will take place on Thursday 15 September, from 9:30am - 12:30pm, at Audley Leisure Centre, Blackburn. Please register soon to confirm your booking.

If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk within 5 working days of the event to advise, or you will still be invoiced for the full, non funded, fee of £35 . Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Young People Campaigning Toolkit

Young Lancashire's Young People Campaigning Toolkit training will take place on Tuesday 11 October 2011, at Audley Leisure Centre, Blackburn, from 1pm - 4pm and costs £35 per person. Please remember, Young Lancashire membership vouchers can be redeemed against this event.

If your Organisation is not currently in membership with Young Lancashire, and you would like more information about the information, support and representation we can offer you and the benefits available, please email us at supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk, requesting an information pack. As this is an interactive course, it requires a minimum number of delegates to be effective, so please register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £35. Please Note: Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Service s will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Recorded Outcomes Training

Young Lancashire's Recorded Outcomes Training will take place on Wednesday 16 November 2011, from 1pm - 4pm, at Audley Leisure Centre, Blackburn.

As this is an interactive workshop, it requires a minimum number of delegates to b e effective, so please register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £35. Membership vouchers can be redeemed against this workshop at any time. If your Organisation is not currently in membership with Young Lancashire, and you would like more details about the information, support and representation we can offer you and the benefits available, please email us at supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk, requesting an information pack. Please note: any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Level 2 Youth Work

This 24 week course will run on Monday evenings from 6:30pm - 9:00pm, at The Arts Partnership, Chorley, commencing on 7th November 2011. You will be required to achieve a minim um of 80% attendance and undertake work based assessments and maintain a portfolio of your evidence. The cost for this course is £600 .00 and this includes all registration and assessment charges.

Young Lancashire Member Organisations will benefit from a 25% discount, therefore, paying just £450.00 for a full Level 2 Youth Work Qualification. Places funded by Big Lottery Fund will be available on this course, and can be accessed by Member Organisations only, via a bursary application (available from zoec@younglancashire.org.uk) subject to eligibility. If your Organisation is not currently in membership with Young Lancashire, and you would like more details about the information, sup port and representation we can offer you and the benefits available, please email us at supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk, requesting an information pack. This course is limited to 12 places, so please register soon to avoid disappointment. Please note: Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Membership Services will be allocated towards the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company.

Improving Outcomes Training

Brathay Trust will be delivering a series of one day creative training events, aimed at improving outcomes for challenging young people. The training will provide front line workers with evidence-based tools and techniques that are underpinned by Transactional Analysis and NLP. The one day events will be held at Brathay's North West regional base in Wigan. For further information please see the attached flyer.

Blackpool Wyre & Fylde CVS Training Events - 2011

For a list of training provided by Blackpool Fylde & Wyre CVS, between September and December 2011 please download: Training Programme

CYPL News - July 2011

Positive for Youth

The Department for Education's Positive for Youth discussion papers are now published. Responses are requested by 15 September. Young Lancashire is facilitating opportunities to canvas views with partners in Lancashire, (visit the online questionnaire) which will be used to create a composite response from the sector and fed into a working group that's shaping the National Council of Voluntary Youth Services response. Visit: www.education.gov.uk/positiveforyouth

American Football comes to Preston

The Lancashire Academy of American Football have been given some funding towards pads and uniform for a new Preston based team for 14-16yr olds. The Preston Panthers have just started recruiting players for their rookie camps starting Saturday 6 August on Moor Park. For details download: Preston Panthers Recruitment

Basement urban Café Burnley - music event

The Basement urban Café Burnley is holding an event night with Andy Doonan on Friday 12 August. Doors open 7.00pm. The evening will have 2 sets from Andy mixed with Dj music in between. Food and drink available on the night. Tickets in advance £1.50, on the night £2.50. For details dowload: Andy Doonan

Sportivate Launch

Lancashire Sport has announced the launch of their new Sportivate programme, part of the Sport England ‘Places, People, Play’ programme, and a commitment to Lancashire in 2012 and the Olympic legacy. Sportivate will give 14 to 25-year-olds the chance to receive six to eight weeks of coaching in a sport of their choice. Sportivate Lancashire will be launched by Lancashire Sport Partnership on 7 August. The £32 million National Lottery-funded project will help those who aren’t currently playing sport in their own time to get out and give sport a go.

Valuing voluntary sector engagement

The VCFS County Reference Group supported by a Planning Group, co-ordinated by Young Lancashire, together with 12 VCFS District Forums, facilitated by a variety of local infrastructure support agencies, provides the current vehicle for the manifestation of strategic engagement and representation across the sector. Funding to maintain the co-ordination and facilitation of these VCFS children’s trust arrangements will cease from 31 July 2011.

Lancashire JSNA news July 2011

The latest edition of the Intelligence for Healthy Lancashire newsletter is now available. This newsletter provides a regular update on the work of the Intelligence for Healthy Lancashire group which includes delivery of Lancashire's joint strategic needs assessment. This group meets monthly and editions of the newsletter are timed to provide a summary of the key outcomes and developments from the group. For details and to download the latest newsletters, visit: Lancashire JSNA

Summer Play Scheme

Signposts are organising a Summer Play Scheme for For children aged between 8-11, at Morecambe Youth Centre, Woodhill Lane. Come along for Arts, Crafts, Sports, Fun, Games, Community Spirit! Times and dates: 10am-4pm Monday-Friday 1st—26th August. £1.00 per day entrance costs. For further details and an application form please call Signposts on 01524 419021 or visit www.signposts.org.uk

Voluntary Sector Safeguarding Survey

Lancashire's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), are required to collect key performance information from voluntary sector organisations working with children and young people in Lancashire. If you have not already done so, please can you enter the short survey comprising six questions, and submit your organisations return by the end of August. All information supplied will be treated in strictest confidence.

Sector Skills Council and youth work

NCVYS and its UK wide partners are seeking your views, which will be used in discussions with policy makers to inform their decisions as to the future of the Sector Skills Council responsible for the youth work sector. Please complete this quick survey to provide us with your feedback. Enter survey: Survey

Big Society vanguards

The Department for Communities and Local Government has published One year on: Snapshot of activity in vanguard areas. The report gives information on activity in the Big Society vanguards over the last year. Visit: www.communities.gov.uk

Access to further and higher education

The Cabinet Office has published a report written by Simon Hughes MP, the Government's Advocate for Access to Education, on improving access to further and higher education. The report makes over thirty recommendations to increase participation in higher education. These include that the government should act urgently to guarantee face-to-face careers advice for all children in schools and that all schools in England should offer university scholarships to pupils from families on very low incomes.

Young people and voting

Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat) has asked the Government how they will encourage young people to vote, particularly those who have not expressed any interest in politics. Lord McNally (Minister of State, Justice; Liberal Democrat) said that the Government is "considering how to make it as easy and secure as possible for citizens to register to vote and we are exploring how online services might support this.

Supporting young people into work

Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth, Conservative) has asked the Minister for Employment hat steps he is taking to support young people into work. Chris Grayling (Minister of State (Employment), Work and Pensions; Epsom and Ewell, Conservative) spoke about the Government's work experience scheme, apprenticeships and the the Work programme. Further questions about supporting young people into work followed. Visit: www.theyworkforyou.com

Community groups will be recruited to train community organisers

Locality has announced it aims to recruit up to 200 organisations to act as "hosts" for trainee community organisers by September 2014. The Community Organisers programme aims to strengthen communities and help them gain the relevant skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle local issues themselves. It will do this by recruiting and training a new generation of ‘community organisers' who will work with local communities to build trust, respect and strong networks to collaborate on projects and campaigns set by local people.

Reducing youth unemployment

With youth unemployment at an all time high, Young Lancashire is investigating the issues and challenges facing young people in the world of work. This survey asks you to consider your experiences of projects which aim to tackle youth unemployment, including what worked and what didn't. To participate in the survey, visit: youth unemployment your views

Survey: Tackling Youth Unemployment

With youth unemployment at an all time high, Young Lancashire is investigating the issues and challenges facing young people in the world of work. This survey asks you to consider your experiences of projects which aim to tackle youth unemployment, including what worked and what didn't. The information used in this consultation will be used to represent the views and experiences of the youth sector and to inform the the future planning and development of the services we offer here at Young Lancashire.

Consultation on qualifications

The Department for Education has published a consultation on Qualifications for 14 to 16 Year Olds and Performance Tables. The consultation seeks views on proposals to replace the current qualifications system with one that gives young people the opportunity to do vocational qualifications that are comparable with the best academic qualifications. Visit: www.education.gov.uk

Young people's careers

Gordon Marsden (Lab, Blackpool South) has introduced a debate on future career opportunities for young people in the North West. Marsden spoke about the importance of supporting young people and putting the mechanisms in place to "give them the opportunities they deserve. Visit: www.theyworkforyou.com

Volunteers and CRBs

Volunteering England has written to Home Secretary Theresa May to seek assurances that the proposed new web-based criminal records checking system would be free to volunteers. The system, which would be created by the Protection of Freedoms Bill currently before parliament, is designed to alert employers to changes in potential employees' criminal records since their last check was carried out. Visit: www.thirdsector.co.uk

Big Society Bank briefing

Children England has produced a briefing on the Big Society Bank and NAVCA has produced a glossary of terms as part of the Department for Education's Overarching Strategic Partnership. Visit: www.childrenengland.org.uk

Careers services

The Institute of Career Guidance has published Uncertain futures, which is a survey of its members. The findings, based on around 340 responses, show that cuts to the careers service in England are putting the futures of young people at risk. Nearly one in six respondents said that the entire careers service in their area was due to close or had already closed. Half said their employer had already made redundancies or issued "at risk" notices.

Allen Lane Foundation

This Foundation supports general charitable causes. It makes grants for up to three years, with a value of £500-£15,000 in total. Funding is focused on a number of specific beneficiary groups, including asylum-seekers and refugees, offenders and ex-offenders, people experiencing mental health problems and people experiencing violence or abuse. Visit: www.allenlane.org.uk

The Weavers Company Benevolent Fund

This Fund provides up to £15,000 to help young people at risk of criminal involvement to stay out of trouble and assist in the rehabilitation of offenders, particularly young offenders both in prison and after release. Visit: www.weavers.org.uk

LandAid

LandAid provides grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 to support young and disadvantaged people. The Training, Education and Support Fund is available for training, education or support programmes that are targeted at disadvantaged young people, this can include NEETS, homeless and those from a low income background. The Capital Projects Fund is available for the refurbishment, conversion, extension or new build of facilities for young and disadvantaged people. Visit: www.landaid.org

The Weavers Company Benevolent Fund

This Fund provides up to £15,000 to help young people at risk of criminal involvement to stay out of trouble and assist in the rehabilitation of offenders, particularly young offenders both in prison and after release. Visit: www.weavers.org.uk

Choices - Home Office funded programme

Choices is a new £4 million grant funding programme from the Home Office with the intention to prevent substance misuse and related offending amongst young people. Grant applications are encouraged from alliances or partnerships of national and local voluntary and community organisations. The deadline for applications is Thursday 18 August 2011. Visit: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Lancashire Central Gateway Grants

Central Gateway Grants offer an opportunity for organisations to apply for strategic funding in order to help deliver Lancashire County Council's strategic priorities. Earlier this year a round of funding took place to consider applications to the Central Gateway scheme. The majority of funds have been committed; however, a small budget of just over £200,000 remains to be allocated. Applications are welcome from the VCFS in Lancashire for strategic pieces of work to be undertaken in the remainder of the financial year 2011/12.

Transforming Local Infrastructure

The Office for Civil Society (OCS) has made up to £30 million available in short-term funding to provide better support for front line civil society organisations by transforming local infrastructure services. Transforming Local Infrastructure will fund partnerships of local infrastructure organisations to rationalise and transform the support services which they provide to frontline civil society organisations. Visit: www.bigfund.org.uk

Openning up global dimensions in youth work

A new one-day training day in global youth work to build on your confidence and knowledge in opening up a global dimension into your everyday work with young people and embed the global into your day to day practice, is being offered by Stuart Wroe. Funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development this training is being delivered in a partnership between Lancashire Global Education Centre and Global Link – and with Young Lancashire, Cumbria Youth Alliance, Volunteer Youth Network Blackburn and NWRYWU.

CYPL News - June 2011

Youth Association survey

A CYPNow survey, compiled in conjunction with UK Youth, has produced the results of a survey of 18 youth associations and clubs, which collectively support almost 300,000 young people. It revealed that 67% of the youth associations and clubs said they or their members had been affected by cuts. 27% said the impact of spending cuts on youth clubs in their area wasn't yet clear and only 6% said that projects hadn't been affected. But 72% said they had been able to access alternative sources of funding and 53% are planning to take over services previously provided by local authorities.

County changes at the top

For details of the realignment of Children's Services Directors' responsibilities please see a New Director Responsibilities Wheeldiagram together with a letter from Helen Denton, Executive Director for Children and Young People, at Lancashire County Council.

Young Lancs - volunteers

Young Lancashire, a registered educational charity, currently has a number of opportunities for volunteers interested in supporting it's work with young people and the voluntary sector across Lancashire. The charity is particularly interested to hear from people interested in joining the Management Committee which deals with financial matters and those interested in providing office support tasks.

Local school children support children to attend school in Nepal

Children at a Lathom High School in Skelmersdale raised funds which have encouraged children in rural Nepal to attend Primary school. Resolve International, run by local man Keith Laycock, in partnership with RUN Nepal distributed 12 exercise books and 12 pencils to each of 258 children. 89 children enrolled at school just because they heard abut this project. In Nepal fee paying schools provide better education, but the state provides free primary education. By definition anyone attending state primary school is poor.

Preston calling

Do you live in St Matthews, Ribbleton or Deepdale and would like to know more about what goes on in your area? Are there changes you would like to see but are not sure how to make it happen? Preston FM alongside CSV Media, BlogPreston and The Bespoke project, are facilitating an exciting new project training community journalists to promote the issues important to people where you live. This project will offer you training in radio/TV and online reporting, how to use all the relevant equipment and support in creating the stories that matter to you.

Lancaster Community Party

Young Lancashire members, The Lancaster Boys' and Girls' Club, are hosting a Community Party in partnership with Saheli Women's Group on Saturday 9 July at 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Everyone is welcome, so if you're in the area on Saturday 9 July why not pop along to make this event a great success! Please see the posterfor more details about this event.

Development officer

Groundwork have secured funding for Young People Friendly Neighbourhoods project and looking to recruit a worker to develop and deliver the project. Closing date: 7 July.

Intensive Support Worker

A new 3 year post with Street Safe Lancashire in partnership with LANPAC (Lancashire Partnership Against Crime). Closing date: 1 July.

Homeless young people - Manager

SafeSpace require a highly motivated and experienced manager to lead an exciting opportunity within the new built flagship Bradley Hub supported accommodation scheme for homeless young people in Pendle. Closing date: 14 July.

Youth Policy document

Young Lancashire expects that the Department for Education's Youth Policy document will be published in July, which will be followed by a 12 week consultation period. Young Lancashire has expressed interest in joining a working group to steer the National Council of Voluntary Youth Services response and will contact all Member organisations once the Youth Policy document is published to canvas views across the sector in Lancashire. Visit: www.education.gov.uk/positiveforyouth

Health and wellbeing boards

CYPNow has published details of a study by public sector research consultancy Cordis Bright, which maps health and wellbeing board arrangements in 46 local areas as part of a benchmarking exercise. It outlines how the structure of health and wellbeing boards is beginning to look, ahead of the April 2012 deadline for all councils to have a full shadow board in place. The study suggests that almost half of health and wellbeing boards are likely to take on the functions of their local children's trust, although 11 said such a move was unlikely and two said it was very unlikely.

Briefing on Giving White Paper

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has written a detailed policy analysis on the Government's Giving White Paper. The report explores the specific proposals and investments in the paper, such as the Local Infrastructure Fund, Social Action Fund and Community First programme, and how these could increase giving and participation. It also makes a series of recommendations to government for taking the work forward. Visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk

Dream of becoming a Chief Executive?

B&Q the DIY store chain are looking for young people to join their Youth Board. B&Q are looking for a team of bright young individuals to form B&Q’s first ever Youth Board. This is a money can’t buy opportunity for those aged between 16 and 18 who want their college, university or job applications to stand out from the crowd. The closing date for applications is 17 July: 'carpe diem' don't delay!

Egos and a lack of planning damage collaboration, say charity leaders

Egos, bad planning and tension around competition are stopping effective collaboration in the charity sector, according to a panel of charity experts who discussed the issue at a Knowledge Peers event on Wednesday 15 June.

UK Youth partnership with Starbucks

During 2011, UK Youth together with Starbucks, will be rolling out a program called 'Youth Action' in major cities across the UK and Ireland. The program will offer young people, who have ideas of how to improve their communities, the opportunity to access up to £10,000 seed funding and volunteer time from local Starbucks partners (employees) to help realise their ambitions. UK Youth, Young Lancashire's national umbrella body, will be supporting the program by offering skills training and advice to young people.

Young people ask EU for green jobs and reduced emissions

Young people across Europe have called on the EU to increase their emission reduction target in order to create millions of new jobs.

The youth led Push Europe campaign is pushing EU Governments for greater greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Creating Future Leaders

What do employers look for in their future leaders? What skills and characteristics equal “potential Head of Strategy or CEO”? How can an aspiring leader become ‘the whole package’? The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) put these questions to leading HR professionals. Read their Creating future Leaders report and learn more about the winning formula for high-level career success. Find out how businesses identify and develop the people who will become their future leaders, and what potential future leaders can do to improve their career prospects.

Civil Service organisation charts

The Government has published organisation charts of the UK Civil Service. The Civil Service charts known as ‘organograms' include the names, job titles and salaries of all civil service directors and many senior civil servants. The new charts also include details of the numbers, grades, pay ranges and professions of staff within each team. Visit: http://transparency.number10.gov.uk

Participation Works launches new ‘how to’ guides for schools

Participation Works has launched the latest in the specialist ‘how to’ guides series, which have been specifically developed, in partnership with The b-live Foundation CIC, for those working in schools and other educational settings.

Creating a Coaching Culture

With the use of coaching as a development tool on the increase, the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) set out to investigate the extent to which organisations are embracing the development practice of coaching. The survey of learning and development managers and decision makers at 250 large organisations revealed a number of important findings, which are explored in this report.

Source: www.i-l-m.com

Campaign to stop the demonisation of young people

Rathbone have started a campaign to stop the demonisation of young people, after research revealed that last year alone derogatory words such as "hoodies" and "feral" were used to describe teenagers more than 15,000 times by the media. Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has become the first politician to sign the pledge. Visit: www.rathboneuk.org

DfE reports on work with vulnerable young people

The first report, drawing on the Longitudinal Survey of Young People in England looks at some of the connections between different forms of disadvantage including substance misuse, youth crime, teenage parenthood and exclusion from education or employment. You can access the full report ‘Understanding Vulnerable Young People’ visit: www.education.gov.uk

Funding for vulnerable young people

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has awarded nearly £30m towards support for England’s most vulnerable groups of young people – young carers and young people leaving the care system or youth offending institutions. Funding has been awarded to 30 partnerships. For details visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Community Development Foundation to deliver government’s £80m Community First programme

Community Development Foundation (CDF) will partner with a number of organisations including Charity Award-winning Community Foundation Network (CFN) to deliver the government’s £80m Community First programme, the Cabinet Office has announced.

Alec Dickson Trust

The Alec Dickson Trust supports individuals and groups of young people who are able to demonstrate that through volunteering or community service they can enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society. Funding of up to £500 is available to help young people to run a project in their local area anywhere in the UK that involves local volunteers. Visit: www.alecdicksontrust.org.uk/

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

This Trust offers Community Grants at Level 1 (£500-£5,000) to small organisations to help them develop, and Level 2 (£10,000 to £100,000). The Trust supports programmes which develop: Access to Employment; Education and Skills; Health and Well Being; and Access to Opportunities. Visit: www.coalfields-regen.org.uk

Recognising the achievements of individuals

The Marsh Award for Outstanding Achievement in Work with Children and Families aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals who work with children and families. The nominations deadline is 31 July 2011. The winner will be awarded £1,000 and a plaque to commemorate their accomplishment. Visit: www.barnardos.org.uk

The SITA Trust

The SITA Trust Young Person's Volunteering Fund provides up to £10,000 for volunteering projects owned by 14-25 year olds. Projects must be situated within a three mile radius of a qualifying SITA UK waste processing location. The next application deadline for 2011 is 10am on 15 August. Visit: www.sitatrust.org.uk/volunteering

Sport and disadvantage

Sported is a new charity which aims to provide funding and organisational development support to groups using sport to improve the lives of young people in disadvantaged communities. It wishes to support projects that: build stronger communities; remove barriers to taking part; reduce crime and antisocial behaviour; develop young people's confidence and life skills to enable them to develop their full potential; or improve health and well being. Visit: http://www.sported.org.uk/our-services/funding

Navajo train the trainers course

The next five day Navajo Understanding Sexuality Training the Trainers course, which commences autumn 2011, has eight places available. Organisers have explained that this course books quickly so, if you are interested in attending this course please complete and return the application form today!

CYPL News - May 2011

Lancashire voluntary sector consortium

Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) organisations delivering children, young people and family (CYPF) services in Lancashire are coming together to form a consortium. A consortium working group has been tasked by the VCFS CYP Reference Group, and the COF Consortium Partner’s Group following their meetings in March 2011, to drive the development forward. The main aim of the consortium will be to secure CYPF related contracts and funding agreements for member organisations and to manage these contracts and funding agreements through a joint approach.

Lancashire YPS Re-organisation

The final reorganisation of Lancashire's Young People's Service has now been agreed by the Cabinet Member for Young People at his meeting on 10 May and by the Leader at his meeting on 13 May. A brochure has been produced which provides a summary of the reorganisation, and provides specific details of the way in which the agreed reorganisation will affect each District. To download a copy of the brochure visit: Final Briefing

Diversity in apprenticeships project

The new ‘Diversity in Apprenticeships’ project can help you apply for an apprenticeship and prepare for interviews, if you:

Are 16-18
Are from an ethnic minority group
Have learning difficulties or disabilities
Are working with the Youth Offending Team
Are pregnant or a young parent
Are supported through leaving care
Are unemployed with few or no qualifications
OR if you want to work in an industry that is usually dominated by the opposite sex (e.g. females in to engineering or construction or males in to child care or hairdressing)

If you fall in to any of the above categories and live in Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Burnley, Nelson or Colne, this is an excellent chance for you to begin your career journey and get in to the world of work.

You will receive mentoring sessions from us in the early weeks of the apprenticeship and you may qualify for financial support for any start up costs such as clothing or equipment.

Contact us on 01254 267780 or email apprentices@cxl-uk.com

Independent Advocacy Qualification

East Lancashire Advocacy Service in partnership with Action for Advocacy are offering a City and Guilds Accredited Advocacy Qualification.

6th Annual Multi Faith Football Tournament, Blackburn

A multi faith football tournament is being organised for the 6th year running by the Inter-Madrassah Organisation (Creating Champions for the Future) in Blackburn.

The organisers would like teams from different faiths and towns to take part so that they can have a multi faith and cohesive tournament and the tournament is open to following age categories: Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11.

The Challenge - 12 teammates, 3 weeks, 1 unbeatable experience

The Challenge is your chance to show yourself and others what you can do. Are you up for it?

An evaluation of the Holding Families East Lancashire (Pilot) Project

Holding Families offers a whole-family treatment service to families with parents with substance problems, with a strong desire to engage in work concurrently with parents and with their children in the hope that:-

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust Self-Harm Conference

Self-harm is a significant issue in mental health services across our inpatient and community services. Dealing with individuals who self-harm is a complex process and it poses a

major challenge for staff working in a range of services. A self-harm strategy has been developed to support this work, a key principle of this is that the needs, well-being and care of individuals who self-harm are absolutely paramount.

Zumba classes

Following the success of the Zumba Class which takes place at the Centre @ Halton on a Thursday evenings, the Centre are now starting a second Zumba Class to keep the community on its toes! This class will take place on Wednesday evenings 8.30pm - 9.30pm. First class will be Wednesday 1 June 2011.

Giving White Paper

The Government has launched its Giving White Paper, which is says will make it easier and more attractive for people to give time and money to good causes. It follows evidence which suggests levels of giving time and money have flat-lined in recent years.

All-age careers service

Minister of State for Further Education and Lifelong Learning John Hayes has set out further details about the all-age careers service in England, which will be established by April 2012. This includes new arrangements for careers guidance accessible from September 2011. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will: continue to fund a high quality online and helpline service for adults.

Review of Child Protection

The Department for Education has published The Munro Review of Child Protection: Final Report - A Child-Centred System. The report says that 'bureaucratic' aspects have become too dominant in child protection work, and that the system has become characterized by individuals 'doing things right' rather than 'doing the right thing'. It proposes that front-line social workers should regain the freedom to decide what was best for children.

Commissioning and PQASSO

Commissioning and Quality, PQASSO (Quality Assurance System) has produced a new leaflet which looks at how the two most commonly used quality standards in the sector - PQASSO and ISO 9001- compare. In addition PQASSO has started to make moves to test an online version which will make the 'voluntary sector led' Quality Assurance System even more accessible.

Attend the party conferences with NCVYS

NCVYS is attending all the party conferences this year and is pleased to invite you to be a part of the Youth Zone, a cost effective solution for members to attend the conferences and showcase their work to leading politicians, councillors, businesses and party delegates.

Leeds City Museum earns participation award

Leeds City Museum is the first organisation in the country to achieve the National Youth Agency’s Hear by Right Bronze Award.

NCVYS Young Partners Award open for nominations

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) has officially opened nominations for this year’s prestigious Young Partners Award. The Awards is a celebration of voluntary and community youth organisations and projects working in partnership with young people who are actively involved in the decision-making processes of their work.

NCB asks Government to listen to children and young people on reforming the NHS

Sir Paul Ennals Chief Executive of NCB has written a blog post on the Guardian website asking for NHS systems to be designed around the needs of children and young people and not just the needs of adults. He said: “In all the debates about the proposed health reforms, children have been almost invisible.”

Sector campaigning must take a back seat to service delivery, says RNIB Chair

Charities should consider ditching the word 'charity' in favour of social enterprise and must begin to view themselves "more as product developers and less as campaigners", RNIB Chair Kevin Carey told the CFDG conference this morning.

Rewarding innovation and inspiration - Enter the Children and Young People Now Awards

The Children & Young People Now Awards have become the gold standard for everyone working with children, young people and families. Now in their sixth year, these awards provide a great source of pride and recognition for all those who strive day in, day out, to improve the lives of others.

They offer an opportunity to raise the profile of projects and initiatives to funders and the general public. And they present a tremendous showcase of learning and best practice from across the country that can be an inspiration to all.

Charities Bill

The Cabinet Office has published a summary of responses to the draft Charities Consolidation Bill. The consultation was carried out in late 2009 by the then Office of the Third Sector. The document also contains the Government's response to the consultation and the next steps that it will take. Visit: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Youth unemployment

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg have launched Supporting Youth Employment. This is an overview of the government's plans to tackle youth unemployment. The measures aim to tackle some of the long term structural barriers that stop some young people from getting a job and starting their career. They include a new £60m package to create apprenticeships and work placements in private firms later.

Analysis of youth service savings

Children & Young People Now has asked five councils "to explain their thinking as they strive to make savings to youth services".

West Sussex will "End direct delivery of universal services and target resources at the most vulnerable young people" to save £2m.
Oxfordshire will "Merge youth services with others relating to young people and families and employ a youth hub model" to save £4.2m.
Manchester will "Hand over universal youth services to the

'Broke, not broken' - Prince's Trust Report

Thousands of young people from the UK’s poorest families believe they will achieve 'few' or 'none' of their goals in life, warns 'Broke, not broken', a new report by The Prince’s Trust and RBS.

Big Society Bank

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude has endorsed outline proposals for the development of a Big Society Bank presented by the Independent Advisers, Sir Ronald Cohen and Nick O'Donohoe. The Minister has also directed the Big Lottery Fund to establish an interim Investment Committee which will use dormant account money it has received to start making investments from this summer. The Big Society Bank will act as a wholesale investor for social investment and champion the sector to the public, stakeholders and investors.

National Citizen Service costs

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Tessa Jowell has asked the Cabinet Office which National Citizen Service pilot projects charge participants to take part; and how much each such project charges per participant. She also asked for an estimate of the average amount that a young person will pay to participate in a National Citizen Service pilot. Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd set out the charges by NCS provider in a table.

Ambitious social entrepreneurs

The Big Venture Challenge is a national competition, run by UnLtd, to find 25 ambitious social entrepreneurs in England. Winners will get an initial £25,000, plus the opportunity to pitch for up to £150,000 of seed investment, if this can be matched by loans or equity from co-investors. They also win business support and mentoring. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2011. Visit: www.bigventurechallenge.com/

The Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust

The Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust is a small trust which gives grants mainly to schools and youth groups wishing to carry out projects which will develop disadvantaged young people's existing interest in the great outdoors. Visit: www.andyfanshawe.org/index.php

Big Lottery Fund to move to online applications for funding

Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund, has said it will move to online applications for its funding. Wanless made the announcement at the 6th National Digital Conference, where he said the funder would be going “digital by default” and moving to a push for online applicants for funding: “Paper form applications have duplication and errors which are eliminated online,” he said. “Online is more efficient and good value for the sector.”

Manchester Active Voices Residential Leadership Programme

Manchester active voices will be runninging its 3rd residential leadership programme in july , this is for young people aged 16-26 from the northwest.

The course will enable you to develop leadership potential, placing you in a stronger position to achieve your goals. You will:

Abbeyfield Week – Invitation to join the Intergenerational skill swap 10th to 19th June 2011

Schools, youth organisations and local groups are invited to join Abbeyfield, a national (UK) charity providing housing with care for older people, in their first intergenerational skill swap programme of events across the UK.

CYPL News - April 2011

Healthy Lancashire

To see the latest edition of the Intelligence for Healthy Lancashire newsletter visit: JSNA News. This newsletter provides a regular update on the work of the Intelligence for Healthy Lancashire group which includes delivery of Lancashire's joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA).

To be or Not to be?

Do you know whether your organisation ought to become a Charity? Is your income now over £5,000 per annum? Young Lancashire's training event: 'To be or Not to be - A Charity' will take place on Wednesday 11 May, from 10:00am - 12:30pm, in Preston. If you'd be interested in coming along please visit: To be or Not to be - A Charity and book/register online.

Lancashire's Improving Futures

The Big Lottery Fund has launched the £20m Improving Futures programme to support voluntary sector organisations that improve the outcomes for children from families with complex problems. It has decided to fund partnerships that provide joined-up support for families with multiple problems at a local level.

Lancashire Rural Services event

Community Futures are holding a FREE Rural Services Event with market place which is taking place Thursday 12th May 2011, 10am – 3pm, at Hornby Institute, Main Street, Hornby, Lancaster LA2 8JR. (Refreshments and a hot lunch will be provided) . You are invited to attend the event if you wish to promote your agency/organisation. Please complete the booking form attached.

Volunteers welcome at Signposts

Do you feel that there is more to life? Would you like to help your community and neighbours? Do you feel that you have more to offer or want to learn new skills? If so - give Signposts a call in Preston 01772 759413 or in Morecambe 01524 419021.

Young people defeating terrorism

Konnect Kokan, a Blackburn based youth group which developed out of the Queens Park and Audley Youth Information Project (QAYIP), has recently completed a Prevent Project uniting communities and developing understanding about prevention of terrorism. To find out more about this innovative youth led project download a copy of their latest newsletter.

Lancaster Children’s Trust VCFS Forum

This group, one of 12 similar groups across the county, has been meeting since July 2009 and is open to all voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) groups working with children, young people and families. The Forum provides diverse VCFS representation on the Lancaster District Children’s Trust and helps build the capacity of the VCFS to engage with the Children’s Trust. They would like to welcome new members along to their June meeting (details below), which will include on update from the Children’s Trust and the Lancaster District Early Intervention group.

Lancashire BME Volunteering Focus Group

It has been recognised that throughout Lancashire there are many organisations complemented by volunteers and many communities benefiting from the fantastic effect volunteers can have through local projects. With the vast amount of diverse community and cultural groups throughout Lancashire, Council Officers have discussed the importance of ensuring that all BME volunteers have their voices heard and that organisations can reach different communities with their services through volunteers.

Local Groundwork teams up with Prince's Trust

Groundwork Lancashire West & Wigan has teamed up with The Prince's Trust to provide an inspiring new opportunity for Wigan and Leigh school leavers this summer. The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a new, free scheme for year 11 school leavers to learn new skills, challenge themselves and make a positive impact in their community during the summer holidays. Young people will design a project to benefit their local area as well as going on a five-day team-building trip, taking part in activities such as kayaking and rock-climbing.

Invitation to join PhD study about risk young people and practice

Gavin Turnbull, a former youth and community worker and lecturer in Lancashire, is currently studying a PhD at Durham University. Gavin's area of study relates to how 'risk' affects youth practitioners, their work and young people. This could, for example, be about 'at-risk' young people, risk behaviours, risk assessments, risk taking in practice or other areas relating to 'risk' that are significant to practitioners.

Lancashire's Safeguarding and Looked After Children Peer Review

Lancashire's children's services will be inspected by Ofsted including members of the Care Quality Commission sometime over the next 12 months. Inspectors will be looking at the progress being made following the Joint Area Review (JAR) conducted in 2008. The inspection will focus particularly on those who are most vulnerable and, in preparation, a Peer Review to determine how well the improvements have been made will carried out between 11 and 15 July 2011.

CRB fees increase

Please see the document attached for news of the impending CRB Fee rise, as of 6th April 2011. The fee for an enhanced CRB is going up by £8, to £44. CRB checks for volunteers will remain free of charge. Note: Young Lancashire has commenced a new membership benefits scheme from 1 April 2011, through which Full Members receive discounts on CRB checks and other services.

Votes at 16 campaign

The Votes at 16 coalition have unveiled their new look website. Designed as a fully interactive campaigning platform, the new site will support those calling for votes at 16 and allow their powerful stories to be told.

Cultural education review

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has launched an independent review of cultural education, to be led Classic FM Managing Director Darren Henley. The review will look at how children can experience a wide variety of high quality cultural experiences, both inside and outside of school. Henley has issued an open invitation to anyone who wants to contribute to the consultation and feed into his review.

Inquiry into education and training

The Education Select Committee has published the written submissions to its inquiry into the participation of 16-19 year olds in education and training. These address issues including: the impact of the Education Maintenance Allowance on the participation, attendance, achievement and welfare of young people; the preparations necessary for providers and local authorities for the gradual raising of the participation age to 18 years; and the impact of raising the participation age.

CYP Now 2011 awards open for entry

Now in their sixth year, the CYP Now 2011 awards provide an opportunity to raise the profile of projects and initiatives to funders and the general public. The awards recognise initiatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors that work with children and young people from birth to adolescence as well as their families. Initiatives might be aimed at all children within a community or targeted at those who are the most vulnerable or disadvantaged. Entries must relate to work undertaken, or ongoing, between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.

Inquiry into Services for Young People

The fifth evidence session of the Education Select Committee inquiry into Services for Young People will take place on Wednesday 4 May 2011. The first panel will discuss volunteering opportunities for young people with representatives from NCVYS member v, the National Young Volunteers' Service. The second panel will seek to explore some of the key questions raised during the inquiry with the Government Ministers responsible for youth policy and volunteering, Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd and Minister for Children and Families Tim Loughton.

Manifesto to improve support for NEETs

The Private Equity Foundation has launched A Manifesto for Action with 10 recommendations to immediately improve support for around 1 million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The manifesto calls for system-wide change to tackle the NEET issue. It makes recommendations to help drive change through greater leadership and understanding of what works throughout the system.

Community and environmental projects

The Biffaward - Flagship Scheme is available to support rebuilding biodiversity and cultural facilities of regional and national significance. Grants are available of £150,000 to £500,000. The deadline for the Round One Expression of Interest Stage formsis 5pm 1 July 2011. Visit: http://www.biffaward.org/about/foverview

YPLA to become Education Funding Agency

Education Secretary Michael Gove has written to the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) Chair Les Walton outlining the agency's revised remit for 2011/12. This includes updating the YPLA's contribution to the expanding Academies programme and outlining its role in the Coalition government's arms length body (ALB) reform programme. It says that 2011/12 will be a year of transition for the YPLA as it becomes an effective base for the Education Funding Agency. Visit:

Counting the cuts: Children's charities survey

Children England has published Counting the Cuts: The impact of public sector spending cuts on children's charities. It analyses the results of a survey of Children England members into the effects on the children and families charity sector of spending cuts. The survey covers 71 charities with a combined annual turnover of £800m, equivalent to 70% of Children England's membership.

Young people's workforce reform programme

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has published an e-leaflet documenting the journey and achievements of the young people's workforce reform programme.

Almost 1 million young people are unemployed

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their latest unemployment figures which show that the under-25s are being disproportionately affected. The number of young people aged between 16 and 24 who were out of work hit 963,000 in the three months to February – 12,000 more than in the previous quarter. This pushed Britain's youth unemployment rate up by 0.1 percentage points to 20.4%. The number of unemployed 16- to 17-year-olds hit records levels in the quarter, increasing by 14,000 to 218,000.

Ofted report says careers advice for girls needs to improve

Ofsted have published Girls’ Career Aspirations which has found that girls are receiving weak information about careers making it difficult for them to make informed choices about courses.

New draft rules to halt reductions in voluntary sector funding

The Communities and Local Government department has announced it may remove councils' responsibility for voluntary sector funding or force them to change their policies if they cut the sector's funding disproportionately, according to new draft rules. This follows Eric Pickles announcement against disproportionate cuts last month; new guidance from the department, published for consultation today, says councils "should seek to avoid passing on disproportionate cuts" to the voluntary sector.

Financial Support for 16 to 19 year olds in Education or Training

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking the views of young people, parents, learning providers and other stakeholders on the government's proposed package for financial support for 16-19 year olds in education or training in England, including the proposed transitional arrangements for 16 to 19 year olds currently receiving Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The consultation closes on 20 May 2011.

Scouts educating young people about sexual health and relationships

The Scout Association has launched a sexual health and relationships programme designed to encourage young people to learn about relationships and sexual health with their peers and trusted adults. The new educational material, My Body, My Choice, is available for leaders to use in a relaxed and informal environment. It is a follow up to initial guidance produced in 2008 and reflects the growing demand from both adult leaders and young people for more support in this area. Visit: http://www.scouts.org.uk/shis

Girls' happiness

The think-tank Demos has published Through the Looking Glass. The report shows that girls are significantly more successful than boys in making the transition to adulthood: they do better in their exams, more of them go to university, and those aged 22-29 earn 2.1 per cent more than their male peers. But it shows that teenage girls experience worse rates of binge drinking; have worse levels of physical inactivity; and have higher rates of teen pregnancy than their European counterparts.

Social mobility strategy

The Cabinet Office has published Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A strategy for social mobility.

Online Charity Search Facility

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a new free website, Charity Trends. It will allow users to search for a charity according to 17 different characteristics such as location, mission, income and number of employees. The data that is available in the CAF Charity Trends search tool is supplied to CAF by the Charity Commission once a month. Visit:
http://charitytrends.org/

Public services reform white paper

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Tessa Jowell has asked the Cabinet Office when it would publish the public services reform White Paper. Jowell said, ""It was commissioned last October to be published early in the new year. January became February, and the Prime Minister said that it was only two weeks away." Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude responded on behalf of the Government and said, "The document will be published later this summer".

Value for money of youth services

The Audit Commission has developed a self-assessment pack to help providers of youth services to identify how best to spend their money. The pack has been developed in partnership with the Confederation of Heads of Young People's Services and is organised into five modules that take users through a structured assessment of their services, drawing on their own and comparative data about spending and outcomes. It then helps them develop an action plan.

Engaging young people: guide for councillors

Local Government Improvement and Development (IDEA) has published Engaging young people: Local Leadership Councillor workbook. The workbook has been designed as a learning aid for elected members who want to understand more about how to involve young people in their ward. Visit: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/26571732

The Wellbeing and Resilience Measure (WARM)

A new tool to help communities make better use of existing statistics to make critical choices and improve emotional wellbeing and resilience.

Early intervention needed to stem cases of youth homelessness

Shelter Scotland have published a research report Running away and future homelessness – the missing link? They have found that more than 8 out of 10 young homeless people in Scotland had run away at least once before they reached 16. A survey of around 150 residents from 11 projects that provide accommodation to homeless young people under the age of 25 also revealed that 20 per cent had run away before they reached 11 years old.

Call for evidence – European Social Fund: Support for families with multiple problems

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking views on the commissioning of employment-focused provision for families with multiple problems, supported through the Department for Work and Pension's co-financing arrangements with the European Social Fund. This funding applies to England only. Amongst other areas it is focusing on social issues, care and employment. The consultation closes on 6 May 2011. Visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2011/esf-support-for-families.shtml

Inter-faith youth trust

Currently there are two grant programmes: Inter Faith Week small grants (£200 to £500) and the general grants programme. General grants are usually of not more than £1,000, but in special circumstances grants for up to £3,000 may be considered. The small grants are awarded for projects that will take place during Inter Faith Week each year, which this year falls from 20th to 26th November 2011. Projects must involve young people of different faiths or provide learning about different faiths and beliefs. Contact: info@kisch.org.uk and Visit:

People's Postcode Trust

The People's Postcode Trust is open for applications for grant applications. The trust offers grants both over and under £2,000. Projects applied for in this round must be run between July and December 2011. Deadline: 27 May. Visit: http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/

Grants for homeless people

The Crisis Changing Lives programme provides financial awards to over-18s who have been through a homeless situation in the past five years move towards financial independence. Grants are available to individuals to help them fund costs related to getting back into work, starting up in business or taking part in an accredited training or academic course. Funding is available up to a maximum of £2,500 for the Education Grant, Self-employment Grant and Into Employment Grant. The 2011 application deadline is 5 May 2011.

The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund

The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund makes grants of £1,000 to £10,000. Priority is given to smaller charities rather than national charities. The Trust is interested in funding new activities. The next application deadline is 14 May. Visit: http://thetriangletrust1949fund.org.uk/index.htm

O2 It’s your community awards

Visit: The 02 It's Your Community awards support projects that bring people together and benefit local communities. The awards are independently judged and administered by charity The Conservation Foundation on behalf of 02. The awards will fund sustainable projects that help local communities and are small enough to benefit substantially from a £1,000 award. Visit: http://www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk/

Crime fighting projects

The Tilley Awards, now in their thirteenth year, recognise crime fighting projects where police, community safety groups and the public work together to tackle problems identified by their local communities. There is a £2,000 prize for the winning project. The deadline for submitting entries for phase one is 1:00pm on 13 June 2011. Visit: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/partnerships/tilley-awards/

Think Big funding for young people

Think Big is an opportunity for young people to apply for funding and support to run a programme in their area. Initially they will receive £300 funding, but then there is an opportunity to go on and apply to "Think Bigger" with £2500. If you would like to find out more about O2 Think Big Click visit: www.o2thinkbig.co.uk

Young people to compete for social enterprise grants

Young people aged 11 to 14 are being given the opportunity to compete for grants to set up social enterprises in their communities. The Potential Organisation has launched a competition offering young people the chance to bid for a starting grant of £200 that will go towards creating an enterprise that benefits their community.

Commissioning and procurement guides

The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) has launched A beginners' guide to commissioning. The guide is aimed at development workers supporting local charities and voluntary organisations to engage with the commissioning landscape for the first time. Visit: http://www.navca.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C5CF3DFB-9E14-410C-A450-364535625F18/0/Beginnersguidetocommissioning.pdf

Department for Education grant funding to VCS

Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire, Conservative) has asked the Department for Education which organisations received funding though the voluntary and community sector grants scheme; how much funding each organisation requested in its expression of interest; how much funding each organisation requested in its bid document; and how much funding each organisation was awarded.

UK Youth partnering with Starbucks to allow young people to help their communities

Young Lancashire's national umbrella body UK Youth have created a new programme, Realising Potential, as part of a three-year volunteering partnership with coffee chain Starbucks. The programme will enable young people to bring about their ideas for community projects.

To be or Not to be - A Charity

Young Lancashire's 'To be or Not to be - A Charity' will take place on Wednesday 11 May, from 10:00am - 12:30pm, at Preston CVS , Guild Hall Arcade, Preston. Places are limited, so please register now to confirm your b ooking. If you are unable to attend once y our booking is confirmed, you must contact our of fices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglanc ashire.org.uk within 5 working days of the event t o advise, or you will still be invoiced for the f ull fee of £35. Please note, Membe rship Vouchers can be redeemed against this worksh op. Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provis ion of Membership Services will be allocated towar ds the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary trad ing company.

Are You Ready to Tender?

The TaPS/Passmark ‘Are You Ready to Tender?’ Training Programme is for organsiations providing services in Merseyside. The programme is being delivered in collaboration with Tender Management Community Services CIC and is open to third sector organisations operating in the Greater Merseyside area. The series of workshops will run during May and June 2011 and will cover a range of topics that are highly important to those organisations wishing to improve their skills in competing for and winning tenders. See information below for further details.

NSPCC Child Protection Training

"The welfare of the child should be the paramount consideration in all decisions taken about him or her" - Children's Act 1989. Young people are vulnerable in a variety of ways, be this from within their family, through strangers, through agencies they work with or within their peers. As Youth Workers we need to be aware of and be able to recognise and deal with issues of abuse.

CYPL News - March 2011

Set our Children Free

In need of recharging your mojo? Visit: The Richard Dimbleby Lecture 2011 to watch again Michael Murpurgo's inspirational and thought provoking speech about the rights of children in the World today and the responsibility we have to protect them and educate them. Take Five and remember again why you became involved in working with children and young people.

Lancashire ahead on youth policy

Following endorsement at the Children's Trust Board in March of the Lancashire Youth Strategy, agencies and partners working with young people across the county have implemented the formation of the Lancashire Youth Partnership. This development comes as the government is being urged to use its forthcoming review of youth policy to support formal partnerships between providers and guarantee young people a minimum entitlement to services.

Happenings in Halton

The new Centre @ Halton, near Lancaster has a packed programme for all the community and will be launching its new outdoor recreation area on 8 July. With Ceilidhs, Choirs, Eco Fairs and a Nearly New Sale planned for 7 May, this new and vibrant centre is well worth a visit. For more details visit: www.haltoncentre.org

Ideas wanted

A broad partnership of agencies across Lancashire including the County Council are currently thinking about how services for families with complex and challenging needs can be radically reformed. The best two sources for ideas in relation to this are families themselves and the people who work directly with them.

Ideas wanted!

Lancashire's VCFS Children and Young People's Reference Group is keen to hear your views about how support and services for younger children in families with complex needs could be improved, and in particular, any innovative ideas you may have. Please complete the quick online form to let the Group know what you think. Please note, this survey will close on 4 May so please ensure you submit your views before this date. Thanks.

Lancashire Young People's Service restructure proposals

The Young People's Service is seeking feedback from partners on proposals for the reorganisation and restructure of the service in response to the reduction in local authority budgets. The service is holding a number of evening briefing sessions for partners across the county, during the period 7- 10 February.

Lancashire's plan for Children and Young People

The new Children & Young People's Plan 2011-2014 has now been agreed. Copies of the full plan, a summary version and diagram are available to download from the new Lancashire Children's trust website: www.lancashirechildrenstrust.org.uk You can also download a copy of the plan here: CYPP 2011-2014

Lancashire leads the way in a Lottery bid!

An exciting opportunity has come up for Lancashire’s most vulnerable children, young people and families to benefit from a Big Lottery fund grant to the tune of £900k. The ‘Improving Futures’ programme launched by Big Lottery on 8th March, is all about improving the life chances of children living in families experiencing poor health, unemployment, debt or housing problems.

Get involved in the Preston Caribbean Carnival

It’s that time of year again! Preston Caribbean Carnival is set for Sunday 29 May 2011 and you could be part of it. Preston's Caribbean Carnival is the largest and longest running cultural celebration in Preston outside of the Preston Guild. It is organised by a team of volunteers, is open to people of all ages and is a platform for anyone who wishes to promote the essence of all that is positive about Caribbean Carnival. In particular, the Carnival is supported and celebrated by local young people from many communities across Preston and beyond. Anyone can take part in our event and at the bottom of this page you will find Stall forms and terms for this year’s event. Please note that when sending a payment that our name and address along with the stalls fees has changed for 2011. We appreciate you taking the time to closely read these documents and checking to ensure the paperwork is complete prior to returning them to us. If you are a Charity/voluntary organisation the fee is just £30 with a £100 returnable deposit. Please feel free to contact us should you have any queries. We look forward to seeing you as part of this year’s celebrations! For more information or to contact the Preston Caribbean Carnival Committee, go to www.prestoncarnival.co.uk

Transition Fund - local groups supported

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society have announced the second set of payments from the £100m Transition Fund. Care Services Minister Paul Burstow has also announced an additional £7million for the fund from the Department of Health.

Wyre Trust News

The Wyre District Children's Trust Board has recently published the second of its newsletters which are designed to keep local people and groups informed and up to date with the work of the Trust Board and its various sub groups.

Education Committee - Services for young people

The Education Committee has launched an online discussion with young people as part of its ongoing inquiry into Services for Young People. The Committee has teamed up with leading online student community The Student Room to consult its 500,000 young members about which services they use. It wants to hear from young people aged 13 to 25 on subjects including what out-of-school activities they do, whether they volunteer, their views on a summer programme for 16-year olds and how they would spend the budget for young people in their area. Committee Chair, Graham Stuart MP said:

Charities lead the way in Cameron’s fair pay policy

A survey published today by Charity Finance shows that, on average, charities pay their top earners only four times more than their lowest-paid employees. For charities with annual income above £5m the ratio rises to 6:1, and for large charities over £50m the ratio is 10:1. Compare that with FTSE-100 companies, where the pay ratio is 232:1. At local councils, where the salaries of many chief executives outstrip that of the PM, the ratio is 15:1; for NHS trusts it’s 14:1 and 19:1 for leading universities.

New apprenticeships framework developed by Skills-Third Sector

Skills - Third Sector, in collaboration with practitioners and employers, has developed new apprenticeship frameworks (descriptions of what an apprentice should learn while training) specifically for key roles in charities, social enterprises, community and voluntary organisations and other not for profit organisations.

BYC calls for investment in youth participation

BYC Vice Chair Jack Rowley (aged 25) argues that 'youth participation' is value for money, and calls on the Government to reintroduce priority funding to support both national and local youth-led initiatives. Speaking at the recent Youth Roundtable with Children's Minister, Tim Louhgton MP, he called for priority funding to be allocated to youth-led organisations such as The British Youth Council (BYC), Young Advisors, Young Mayors and the UK Youth Parliament.

Consultation on developing the participation of disabled children and young people

NCB’s Research Centre, in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children, Alliance for Inclusive Education and the Children’s Society is in the first year of a major 3-year project focusing on increasing and improving the participation of disabled children and young people in the development of services.

Register your Climate Week event

Next week is Climate Week (21-27 March), the new national occasion to show how we can combat climate change. Over 2,000 events have been registered all over the UK, and more than 100,000 people have been registered for the UK’s biggest ever environmental competition - the Climate Week Challenge. If you are running an activity please register it. This will make it an official part of Climate Week, listed on our online map.

Love Parks Week 2011

We're very excited to announce the launch of Love Parks Week 2011! Last year 800 events took place across the UK, a figure we want to double in 2011! This year the campaign will be taking place from 23-31 July. We want to celebrate our fifth birthday by getting a million people out into their local parks and green spaces. What now? You love parks, but do your friends?

Bursary scheme for 16- 19 year olds

The Department for Education has announced a new £180 million bursary scheme to help the most vulnerable 16-19 years olds continue in full-time education. The scheme, which replaces the £560 million per year Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme, is made up of two parts. Around 12,000 16-19 year olds will be given guaranteed bursaries of £1,200 a year. This group is made up of children in care, care leavers and those on income support.

Work Programme

Employment Minister Chris Grayling has announced the preferred bidders for the Government's national work programme. In total there are 16 private sector and 2 voluntary sector organisations as prime contractors. Amongst the sub contractors there are 289 voluntary sector organisations. Providers will be paid by results - with more for those who get the hardest to help off benefits and into work. Over the course of the seven years the contracts will run, the total value of the contracts is likely to be between £3bn - £5bn.

Education and charities

Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd has announced proposals for the oversight as charities of academies, sixth-form colleges and foundation and voluntary schools. The measures aim to continue to ensure the appropriate and effective regulation of charities and therefore help maintain public trust and confidence in the charitable sector. Visit: www.theyworkforyou.com

Communitybuilders

Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark has confirmed that funding for vital community projects through the Communitybuilders scheme will continue into the next financial year, thanks to a £27 million endowment fund. The endowment fund will ensure that groups can develop their proposals at their own speed to improve their financial futures through buying and developing assets and providing a range of valuable services for their communities. These include setting up multi-purpose community facilities, mother and toddler groups, adult education classes and family support services.

Civic Service

The Cabinet Office has set out the next stages in developing the Civic Service. The Civic Service aims to encourage even more civil servants to volunteer and to provide them with opportunities to use their skills to support civil society organisations. Permanent secretaries and senior civil servants will be asked to encourage their staff to volunteer as part of the objective setting about to take place for the next year. All other civil servants will be encouraged to volunteer as a means of broadening their knowledge and developing skills.

CWDC programme of work

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has announced its programme of work with the Department for Education (DfE) during 2011/12, with £113.4m being invested in workforce development. By next March much of its work will be transferred to either DfE, a new executive agency or be led by employers. Most of the funding will be for social work (£79.9m) and early years (£16.85m), and there is nothing for the voluntary sector specifically.

Survey shows councils reducing youth services

A study conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) has found that cuts to council-run services will bring dramatic reductions in children's services, libraries and youth clubs. The survey of finance directors from 40% of local authorities also found that two-thirds of councils are embarking on privatisation programmes to cut costs. The survey asked finance directors to list the services facing above-average cuts.

Global & Deaf Xchange

Global Xchange, part of VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) have developed a new way for young people to get involved in tackling poverty. Global Xchange are launching Youth Action, a new 3-month opportunity for people aged 18-22 to share their time working on real development projects.

HM Treasury Budget 2011

The budget announced £180 million funding for up to 50,000 additional apprenticeship places over the next four years, with 40,000 of these opportunities focused on young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs). There is also further funding for an additional 80,000 work experience places for young people, costing £20 million a year for the next 2 years. The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne also announced a number of measures of relevance to the voluntary sector.

Schools could do better

The think tank Demos has published The Forgotten Half. The report says that secondary schools are failing the half of all pupils who do not go on to higher education, because they are too focused on supporting the 50 per cent that go on to university and are not doing enough to help the rest gain necessary skills for work or training. The report calls for schools to forge better links with local business communities and for Ofsted to put a greater emphasis on inspecting schools' ability to help pupils enter the labour market.

Rent for youth organisations

The Scout Association has launched a campaign, Don't raise our rents! The campaign, supported by Girlguiding UK, calls on local authorities to ensure any rent increases are "fair and affordable" and to continue to provide scouts with discretionary rate relief for scout-owned properties. The Scout Association has said that at least 2,000 groups had been warned of rises that could lead them to cut activities, increase subscriptions or close down. Visit: www.scouts.org.uk

Community Organisers

Locality - the new organisation formed through the merger of the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and bassac - has produced further details about the Community Organisers programme. The Community Organisers programme is about catalysing community action at a neighbourhood level - ‘igniting the impulse to act'. Community Organisers are well-trained and committed individuals who will work closely with communities to identify local leaders, projects and opportunities that the community then completes. Individuals can register an interest in becoming a community organiser or host.

Arts Council funding

Arts Council England has removed 206 bodies from its portfolio of regularly funded organisations, most of which are charities. It comes after the Government cut its grant aid to the Arts Council's 2011 to 2015 budget by 30%. 15% of this cut has been passed on to the budget for the grants. The national portfolio of 695 organisations replaces the previous regularly funded portfolio of 849. A number of Lancashire based arts organisations have received increases in funding through this new round, a few have seen reductions in the level of funding a small number have had their funding removed.

CRB website

On 31 March 2011 the content of the CRB website migrated to the following government websites: www.direct.gov.uk/crb - information and access to services for CRB applicants and the general public; www.businesslink.gov.uk/crb - information for registered bodies and other associated businesses and organisations using the CRB service; www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crb/ - corporate information and publications for particular interest groups and partners.

Big Brother

The Family Rights Group has published Big Bruv, Little Sis. The report says that young people who care for younger siblings face a battle to get support from councils and other agencies. The report spoke to young people who are raising their younger brothers or sisters to prevent them going in to the care system, through a series of interviews and questionnaires. It revealed that many carers said they struggle to get the support they need and some sibling carers felt that their youth meant their voice was even less likely to be heard.

Big Society Bank

The Co-operative Financial Services has announced that its application to establish a central Reclaim Fund for dormant account monies on behalf of the industry has been approved by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Co-operative Financial Services will manage the fund that collects cash from dormant bank accounts before it goes to the Big Society Bank. The new Fund will be known as Reclaim Fund Ltd and will operate independently with an appointed Board and Executive. The Fund will collect all money held in dormant accounts in UK bank and building society accounts.

Youth Summit discussion papers

The Department for Education has published documents summarising the key points that came out of each of the seven themed discussions at the Summit which covered:
How can I succeed in learning?
How can I get a job?
How can I lead a healthy life?
How can I avoid getting involved in crime?
How can I make a difference?
How do we make the best use of available funding?
How do we get society more engaged?
For more information visit: www.education.gov.uk/positiveforyouth

New ways - business partnerships

Deloitte has published Emerging partnership models between business and the third sector. The report argues that charities that develop sophisticated partnerships with business stand to reap far more significant benefits than through traditional models of corporate community investment. It says that new types of partnership are emerging as corporate responsibility programmes shift away from financial donations to the provision of resources, assets and business expertise.

Youth work and employment

The SALTO Inclusion Resource Centre has published Inclusion Through Employability: Youth work approaches to employment. The report presents the key findings from a review of literature and research on youth employment and social exclusion in Europe, and highlights some successful approaches to addressing unemployment among excluded youth. Visit: www.salto-youth.net to download a copy of this report.

Poetry and Literature

The Clore Poetry and Literature Awards fund poetry and literature initiatives for children and young people, under the age of 19, across the UK. The Awards are worth a total of £1m over five years, 2011 to 2015, with individual awards ranging from £1,000 to £10,000. The first funding round opens for applications from 10 March 2011 and the deadline for submissions is 20 May 2011. The closing date for the second funding round will be 23 September 2011. Visit: www.cloreduffield.org.uk

National Citizen Service 2012

The Government has launched a competitive commissioning process for the delivery of NCS pilots in summer 2012. There will be a number of information events for organisations interested in bidding to become one of the 2012 NCS pilot providers. Visit: www.education.gov.uk To enable organisations to search for potential partner organisations to deliver a NCS pilot in 2012, the Government has launched an online platform.

LCC Local Initiatives Fund

The Local Initiative Funds Scheme offers an opportunity for Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) organisations to apply for funding in order to help deliver Lancashire County Council priorities. The County Council makes all its funding arrangements in accordance with our Compact and Code of Good Practice on Funding. You can get a copy of these from us. Local Initiative Funds are made under Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, which states that:

Rossendale Council Grant

The Rossendale Council Grant application process (previously Grants to Outside Bodies) opens on Monday 21st March and closes at 12 noon on the 18th April 2011. The new grants scheme is open to all charities, constituted groups and organisations that are based in Rossendale or work in the borough. As with previous years the Council expects that the level of applications and the amount of funding requested will be significantly higher than the amount of funding available so the competition for funding will be intense and may not cover everyone’s requests.

LCC Local Member Grant Scheme

Each County Councillor has a budget of £3,000 per year under the Local Member Grants scheme. They can award funding to groups that benefit residents from within their electoral division. In order to be considered for such a grant, the applicant must meet some very basic criteria. Applications can be for any amount from a minimum amount of £100 and can be made once the group has checked their eligibility. If you're a group working with local people then local member grants could be for you. As a group you will need to;

Funding for children and young people with SEN or disabilities (SEND)

Lancaster District Children's Trust has been allocated funding to deliver activities that support inclusion and improved life chances for children and young people with Special Educational Needs or disabilities. £11,000 is available in total and colleagues are asked to submit proposals for activity in the Lancaster District.

Any application must fulfil one of the following criteria:

Funding for diverting young people from crime

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley MP and Justice Secretary Ken Clarke have announced £5m of funding for arrest liaison and diversion schemes, with the aim of establishing a national liaison and diversion service by 2014. £2m will be available to help divert vulnerable young people with a range of complex needs, including mental health and substance misuse, away from crime and into appropriate services.

Beyond the Comfort Zone funding extended

The deadline for the Beyond the Comfort Zone funding has been extended to this Friday 25th March; we are keen for as many of our members as possible to apply, in order to support the fantastic frontline work that you do.

Introduction to Youth Participation

Young Lancashire's Introduction to Youth Participation will take place on Wednesday 22 Jun e, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, at Your Prescap, Fox S treet, Preston. Places are limited, so p lease register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk within 5 working days of the event to advise, or you will still be invoiced for the full, non fund ed, fee of £35. Please Note: Any s urplus which may be earned from income generated t hrough the provision of Membership Services will b e allocated towards the formation of a wholly owne d subsidiary trading company.

Entry Level Youth Work

This 11 week course will run on Monday evenin gs from 6:30pm - 9:00pm, at The Arts Partnership , Chorley, commencing on 16th May 2011. You will be required to achieve a minimum of 8 0% attendance and undertake work based assessments and maintain a portfolio of your evidence. The cost for this course is £275 and this includes all registration and assessment cha rges. Young Lancashire member organisations will b enefit from a 25% discount, therefore, paying ju st £206.25 for the full qualification and a ssociated administration. Places funded by Big Lottery Fund are available on this course, a nd they can be access via a bursary applicaiton fo rm (available from our office supportservices@youn glancashire.org.uk) subject to applicant eligibili ty. This course is limited to 12 places, so please register now to confirm your booking. Please Note: Any surplus which may be earned from income generated through the provision of Me mbership Services will be allocated towards the fo rmation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading compa ny.

CYPL News - February 2011

Lancashire Young People's Service restructure proposals

The Young People's Service is seeking feedback from partners on proposals for the reorganisation and restructure of the service in response to the reduction in local authority budgets. The service is holding a number of evening briefing sessions for partners across the county, during the period 7- 10 February.

Annual survey makes an Impact

Young Lancashire is pleased to announce that the Children's Rights Service, the Polish Saturday School and Young Inskip People have been selected as winners in Young Lancashire’s Impact Survey 2010-11 prize draw. Every organisation who took part in the Impact Survey was entered in to the draw, with three winners selected at random. Each winner receives a £15 Amazon voucher for their organisation.

Ofsted visit to Young Lancashire

Ofsted inspectors, who are currently undertaking a survey* inspection programme into best practice in commissioning young people's services, visited Young Lancashire on 17 and 18 January. Ofsted visits are currently being made to a small sample of local authorities, national charities and voluntary and community sector organisations to consider best practice in commissioning.

Blackburn with Darwen - changes to youth services

Blackburn with Darwen Council is reducing its budget by more than £25m. The workforce is to shrink by about a quarter with up to 1,000 job losses in total. Measures announced include: changing the focus of youth services to ensure efforts are more targeted to work with vulnerable young people; a reduction in specialist services for children such as educational psychology and welfare; and ending many grants to community and voluntary sector. Visit: www.blackburn.gov.uk

Help to locate volunteers

Do you need volunteers? Or perhaps you know an organisation that does? Preston CVS’s Volunteer bureau can help you find the volunteers that you need. They see dozens of people per week, all eager to volunteer and contribute to their community but are running short of vacancies! Administration, event organisation, mentoring, gardening, catering assistants, support workers and more – if you need people to fill these valuable roles let the Volunteer Bureau know. Contact details:

Big Society update

Prime Minister David Cameron has set out the Government's vision and commitment to the Big Society. Mr Cameron described the Government's deficit-reduction programme as his "duty" whereas the Big Society was his "absolute passion" and his mission in politics. Cameron said Britain needed people to take more responsibility. He said government action could only ever be part of the answer to solving society's problems - and he wanted to make it easier for people to volunteer.

Inquiry into Services for Young People

The Education Select Committee has published the oral evidence given to the inquiry into Services For Young People. On Wednesday 26 January Susanne Rauprich, Chief Executive of NCVYS, Fiona Blacke, Chief Executive of the National Youth Agency, Charlotte Hill, Chief Executive of UK Youth and Liam Preston, Young Chair of the British Youth Council gave evidence. Visit: www.parliament.uk

National Citizen Service - update

Prime Minister David Cameron has launched the National Citizen Service Facebook page. The two month programme will mix sixteen year olds from a variety of backgrounds, and will include a two week stay away from home. Starting in July, after exams have finished, 12 NCS pilot programmes will take place across the country with a total of 11,000 spaces. The page gives young people more details about the programme, including where the pilots will be happening.

Vetting and Barring Scheme - update

The government has unveiled plans, in the Protection of Freedoms Bill, to scale back the vetting and barring scheme (VBS) and criminal records regime while ensuring vulnerable groups are appropriately protected. This will mean that more than nine million people working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults will no longer need to register. The proposals include:

The Chartered Institue of Public Finance and Accounting's view on the Big Society

A relatively concise exploration of the Big Society - explaining some of the jargon and giving examples of good practice.

Big Society Bank

The Government has announced that four national banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and RBS) will support the establishment of the Big Society Bank by providing £200m of capital over two years from 2011. The Bank will "act as a sustainable provider of wholesale finance to social investment intermediaries". The money will be injected "on a commercial basis".

POLICY AND SUPPORT

Human rights and equality in the voluntary sector

A report on a pilot project by the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF)

This report is the result of a pilot project exploring how voluntary organisations that work in the equalities field are using human rights concepts, language and tools in their work. The pilot was carried out by the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) with funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (the Commission).

Citizenship Survey: statistics for April – September 2010

National Statistics from the Citizenship Survey covering the period April – September 2010 were released by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 13 January 2011.

British Youth Council publishes results of Big Listen

Over 1000 children and young people participated in the British Youth Council (BYC) Big Listen survey, expressing their views and opinions on issues relating to the “Big Society”, the localism agenda and the

New tools for young researchers launched by NYA

The National Youth Agency’s Young Researcher Network (YRN) has launched two toolkits to help young people undertake youth-led research and promote their findings.

The World's Strictest Parents is back and looking for participants now!

Do you make your own rule?
Are you fed up of being tolda what to do?
Do your parents wish you were different?

BBC Three are sending 16-18 year olds all over the world to experience life and culture in different families.

Next steps: Monitoring and evaluation on a shoestring

As funding pressures on the sector grow, there is an even greater need for organisations to demonstrate the difference that they are making, and to learn from their performance.

NAVCA: Empowering the Voluntary Sector project

The Empowering the Voluntary Sector project provides advice on managing disputes and training in using the principles of public law and Compact to prevent and manage disputes with public bodies.

Voluntary Sector Cuts

As public sector funding cuts begin to bite, it is vital that their impact on the voluntary sector and the people it works with is understood. Voluntary Sector Cuts is a new collaborative project which maps intelligence about voluntary groups experiencing reductions in public sector funding.

Arla

Arla will be awarding a number of grants worth up to £1,500 this spring and summer to individuals and community groups that have a project to help children and young people access or get closer to nature. The closing date for applications is Friday 25 March. Visit: www.kidsclosertonature.co.uk

Drinkaware

Drinkaware grants support high engagement alcohol awareness raising, such as positive alternative programmes or educational theatre, as well as innovative pilots, multi-agency educational partnerships and initiatives combining alcohol awareness with sport or other activities. There are 3 grant schemes: Ideas Fund - up to £2,000; Awareness Projects - up to £25,000; and Big Impact Awards - up to £100,000.

Fidelity UK Foundation

The Fidelity UK Foundation supports a range of charitable activities, including Arts and culture, health, education and community development. The types of projects funded are: Capital improvement; Information technology; and Organisational development. Visit: www.fidelityfoundation.org

Victim and Witness Fund

The Ministry of Justice has launched a new Victim and Witness Fund (£9.8 million over the next three years). Bids are invited from the community, voluntary and social enterprise sector for funding to support specific groups and to enable resources to be targeted at those victims and witnesses who are most vulnerable and in need of support.
Three funding streams have been created:

European youth activities

The European Youth Foundation (EYF) provides financial support for European youth activities which serve the promotion of peace, understanding and co-operation in a spirit of respect for the Council of Europe's fundamental values such as human rights, democracy, tolerance and solidarity. The programme has an annual budget of €3,000,000. The deadline for applications for Category A and Category B projects taking place in the first half of 2012 is 1 April. Visit: European Youth Foundation

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation's Open Grant Scheme supports innovative ways of increasing people's learning. It funds the development, implementation and dissemination of new ideas to increase learning by people of all ages in the UK. Visit: www.phf.org.uk

Tender opportunity - providers in Wyre

Further to the earlier notification of Wyre District Children's Trust "Prevention/Early Intervention School Based Family Support" tender, please find attached a copy of the Invitation to Tender and in addition a copy of the Lancashire Prevention/Early Intervention Strategy for your information. Please note applications must be received by 10 am on 8 February 2011. Issued on behalf of Wyre District Children's Trust.

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation supports projects in the UK that address issues in rural communities and/or areas of urban deprivation. Within these two main headings, priority is given to helping established projects that work in the fields of Community Support; Arts, Education & Heritage; Disability & Health Care. Visit: www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Introduction to Youth Participation

Young Lancashire's Introduction to Youth Participation will take place on Wednesday 22 Jun e, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, at Your Prescap, Fox S treet, Preston. Places are limited, so p lease register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk within 5 working days of the event to advise, or you will still be invoiced for the full, non fund ed, fee of £35. Please Note: Any s urplus which may be earned from income generated t hrough the provision of Membership Services will b e allocated towards the formation of a wholly owne d subsidiary trading company.

Child Protection

Young Lancashire's Child Protection Training will take place on Wednesday 9 March, from 9:30am - 4: 00pm, at The Art's Partnership, Chorley. As this is an interactive course, it requires a minimum number of delegates to be effective, so please re gister now to confirm your booking. Participants f or this course can opt to convert their training i n to a qualification, fully funded by a grant obt ained by Young Lancashire. For more information, please get in touch. If you are unable to attend o nce your booking is confirmed, you must contact o ur offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@youn glancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £55.

First Steps to Quality and PQASSO

Young Lancashire's First Steps to Qualit y / PQASSO training is essential for anyone who wa nts to help their organisation become more efficie nt and more effective. This training works hop is taking place on at Audley Sports Centre in Blackburn on Tuesday 12 April 2011 and costs &poun d;35 per person. As this is an interactiv e course, it requires a minimum number of delegat es to be effective, so please register now to confirm your booking. If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you mu st contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supports ervices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be i nvoiced for the full fee of £35. n Please Note: Any surplus which may be earned f rom income generated through the provision of Memb ership Services will be allocated towards the form ation of a wholly owned subsidiary trading company .

Health and Safety Training

Young Lancashire's Health and Safety Training will take place on Thursday 3 March, from 9:30am - 4:00pm at Preston CVS, Guild Hall Arcade, Preston.

As this is an interactive course, it requires a minimum number of delegates to be effective, so please register now to confirm your booking.

Participants for this course can opt to convert their training in to a qualification, fully funded by a grant obtained by Young Lancashire. For more information, please get in touch.

If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £55.

Global youth work? So what?

What?

FREE Training: One day CPD in global youth work to give you the confidence and knowledge to open up a global dimension into your everyday work with young people – to embed the global into your day to day practice.

New training opportunity

Here is a great opportunity to develop your knowledge and ability in staff and volunteer supervision. Gary Humphreys delivers, Tony Morrison’s (MBE) supervision model; acclaimed by Children's Workforce Development Council as the benchmark in best practice. Gary has 10 years of delivering the model to both the statutory and voluntary sectors including CWDC. Gary describes the course as a fundamental underpinning for developing practice and performance management. He offers both open and commissioned courses.

Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Award Training Day

UK Youth's Youth Achievement Awards Programme

Introduction to Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Award Training Day

£130 plus VAT per person

CYPL News - January 2011

Accredited Outcomes Training

The Accredited Outcomes Training Course will take place on Friday 28 January from 10am - 12.30pm, at the Audley Leisure Centre, Chester Street Blackburn.

Places are limited, so register now to secure your booking.

If you are unable to attend once your booking is confirmed, you must contact our offices on 01772 556127 or via email: supportservices@younglancashire.org.uk to advise within 5 working days of the event, or you will still be invoiced for the full fee of £35.

Level 2 Youth Work Training

This 24 week course will run on Monday evenings from 6:30pm - 9:00pm, at Deafway in Preston, commencing on 7th February 2011.

You will be required to achieve a minimum of 80% attendance and undertake work based assessments and maintain a portfolio of your evidence.

The cost for this course is £600.00 and this includes all registration and assessment charges. Young Lancashire Member Organisations will benefit from a 25% discount, therefore paying just £450.00 for a full Level 2 Youth Work qualification.

Places funded by Big Lottery Fund will be available on this course, which can be accessed via a bursary application (available from zoec@younglancashire.org.uk) subject to applicant eligibility.

This course is limited to 12 places, so please register soon to avoid dissapointment.

The Challenge Network - now recruiting

The Challenge Network, one of 12 providers who will be delivering the National Citizen Service (NCS) pilot across the country, is now recruiting staff for its summer programme. As reported in CYPL News last month, The Challenge Network, a founder member of the Lancashire Youth Partnership, will be providing NCS opportunities for young people from parts of Lancashire this summer.

Responses to government consultations

Young Lancashire responded to two recent government consultations; Building Stronger Civil Society and Modernising Commissioning. The results from these two consultations will be fed into a White Paper on Public Service reform expected in the spring.

Transforming service delivery in Lancashire

Helen Denton, Executive Director for Children and Young People and Chair of the Lancashire Children's Trust Board, has written to colleagues seeking feedback on the draft proposals about the way in which services will be transformed for children and young people in Lancashire. The service delivery vision, described in the draft report "Transforming service delivery for children and young people.

Lancashire young volunteers BIG celebration event

On the 24 March the Lancashire vinvolved will be holding a BIG celebration event at Park Hall Hotel, (nr Chorley) to celebrate and recognise the wonderful work of young volunteers across Lancashire. Organisers are planing a fantastic evening including celebrity guests, a Britain's got talent dance act, a magician, a caricaturist, and much more! The event is from 6.30 - 9.30pm and there will also be a buffet provided on arrival.

Lancashire County Council budget proposals

Lancashire County Council, like other local authorities, is reviewing expenditure in the light of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review. The council is expected to reduce spending by 26% over the next four years. It is considering a number of actions and wishes to consult the public on these at a series of public events. Download: REVENUE BUDGET RESOLUTIONS For a list Public events - all from 10.30 till 15.00 please...

Cuts impacts on local service

Due to funding cuts, CCATS (Coastal Child and Adult Therapeutic Service) will no longer be taking referrals. As reported in Lancaster & District CVS News, the project is funded until the March 2011 and unfortunately will not be receiving anymore funding after this date. Project Manager Debbie Charlesworth said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the service and made it successful.

Follow Young Lancashire on Twitter

Join our growing list of followers on twitter and keep up to date with the latest news from the sector and our network of members. Twitter is a really easy to use online service that lets members publish quick updates. You don't even need to register to see our updates - simply visit our Twitter page and bookmark it. Our page is regularly updated with news and information so there's always new information on funding, policy, sector moves and innovative practice. Visit: www.twitter.com/younglancashire

Curriculum review

Education Secretary Michael Gove has announced a review of the National Curriculum in England. The review will look at the National Curriculum for both primary and secondary schools, and a call for evidence has been launched. The review will be led by the Department, supported by an advisory committee and expert panel made up of top teachers, academics and business representatives. Visit: www.education.gov.uk Closing date: Thursday 14 April 2011

Early intervention

The Cabinet Office has published Early Intervention: The Next Steps, a government-commissioned report by Labour MP Graham Allen into Early Intervention. It says that early intervention will improve the lives of vulnerable children and help break the cycle of 'dysfunction and under-achievement' and proposes the creation of an Early Intervention Foundation. It recommends regular assessments of all pre-school children, focusing on their social and emotional development, and a national parenting programme.

Children's services

The Department for Education has published a report on research governance in children's services. The report looks at ethics issues in research with children and young people, and existing initiatives relating to research governance and ethics review procedures.

Comprehensive Cuts

NCVYS has produced a comprehensive paper on the cuts in public funding and identifies impact of these cuts on young people in England. NCVYS is particularly concerned about the cumulative impact of the changes: the overall picture is one of less financial support for young people, receding support for those working with young people to develop them and reduced investment in the charitable sector which could be a source for training, skills development and employment opportunities for young people. Visit: Comprehensive Cuts 2

School sports funding

Education Secretary Michael Gove has set out the Coalition Government's approach on school sports. The Department will pay school sport partnerships for the full school year to the end of the summer term 2011 at a cost of £47 million. This will ensure the partnerships and their service can continue until the end of the academic year. They were originally due to lose all their funding from the end of next March.

16-19 funding statement

The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) has published the 16-19 funding statement and statutory guidance arrangements for 16-19 funding of education and training in England for the 2011/12 academic year. In 2011-12 the total budget for education and training places £7.6 billion. This includes around £800 million for Apprenticeships and £310 million for young people with LDD.

Letter to PM defending youth services

The British Youth Council and the union Unite have worked together to produce a letter defending youth services to Prime Minister David Cameron, which has been signed by nearly 2,000 young people.

Young People to help decide Youth in Focus grants

Big Lottery Fund is currently recruiting for some young decision makers to help determine where £30 million of Lottery Funds is allocated via Youth in Focus. The closing date is 2 February. Please see application letter for further information, and to application form.

Children and Young People's Plan - peer review case study

Local Government Improvement and Development (IDEA) has published Cambridgeshire's review of its Children and Young People's Plan. This provides a case study of how the council has used a peer review model to review its Children and Young People's plan.

POLICY AND SUPPORT

Lifelong Learning

The general call for proposals for 2011 for the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme has been launched. Both citizens and organisations in the field of school and higher education, vocational training and adult learning can for the numerous activities supported by the programme. Visit: EU Lifelong Learning

Youth employment

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released Off to a good start? Jobs for Youth. The report analyses how the financial crisis has hit the young harder than any other demographic group. The findings demonstrate the severity of the crisis in different countries and also the effectiveness of government stimulus measures taken in 2009 and the first two quarters of 2010 to combat the worst effects of the recession.

Youth of Today programme

The Department for Education has published a technical report to provide a record of the evaluation of the Youth of Today programme. It provides methodological information to inform future research projects in similar areas. The programme aims to support young people's leadership opportunities.

Spotlight on Rotary International

Who are RIBI?

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) has over 55,000 members in 1,855 clubs. It is an integral part of Rotary International, the world's first service organisation.

Rotary members are enthusiastic, fun-loving and active volunteers who give their time and talents to serve communities both at home and overseas. These are dedicated people, men and women from business and professions, who share a common interest in helping others. There are 40 clubs in Lancashire, so there’s certain to be one will be in your area that will welcome you.

Trustee Recruitment - Join Us Campaign

The Trustee Recruitment Challenge

Finding and keeping trustees is a vital task for all voluntary and community organisations. There are almost a million trustees, and an estimated further million management commitee member positions in organisations across the country. However, many organisations experience difficulties recruiting and retaining trustees. Did you know that

What's going to be big for social enterprise in 2011?

The Guardian asked a panel of social entrepreneurs and sector experts to give their predictions for the year ahead. Will 2011 be the year for, 'big society' and social franchising? Visit: Social enterprise network's predictions 2011

Assist a young person? Have a volunteering opportunity?

Lancashire vinvolved are looking for organisations who can offer full time volunteering opportunities in the new year. They have a number of 16-25 year old volunteers who are looking to gain experience and give something back to the community on a full time basis! You may need help with fundraising, admin, organising events or developing a website/ social media group.

Get Legal - providing advice on governance and legal structures

In case you didn't see the site last year, Get Legal is a free online reference and decision-making tool providing information and advice for charities, social enterprises, co-operative organisations and their advisors looking to develop their legal form and governance structures. The website is designed to:

Good Governance: a Code for the Voluntary and Community sector

Good Governance: a Code for the Voluntary and Community sector (the Code) second edition is now available. It sets out best practice for governing a voluntary or community organisation. It is not mandatory but organisations that comply with the Code are invited to state this in their Annual Report and other relevant published material, and pledge their support for the Code by signing up to the online charter.

Greenspaces

The GrantScape Community Greenspace Challenge is a £500,000 grant programme designed to support local communities in creating enjoyable new outdoor greenspaces, including by transforming existing unloved areas. It is specifically designed to benefit the environment both for people and for wildlife, supporting people's health, well-being and access to nature. Grants are available for amounts between £20,000 and £75,000. Visit: Greenspaces

Future football

The Grow the Game grant scheme is provided and administered by the Football Foundation to stimulate and sustain increased participation in football at a grass-roots level. The deadline for northern regions and the Midlands is 8 February 2011 and the deadline for southern and eastern regions is 28 February 2011. Visit: Football Foundation

Homeless grants

LandAid's Annual Grants Programme is inviting applications for projects which help disadvantaged or homeless people, especially the young. LandAid will be awarding grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 per project which provide accommodation or assist in meeting accommodation needs, refurbish or renew facilities, or deliver training, life skills or other educational programmes. Visit: LandAid

Young carers grants

The True Colours Trust provides a small grants programme to small, UK-based organisations to carry out projects that provide help for disabled children and their families. Up to £10,000 is available for projects that support programmes for children, their siblings and families, including for young carers. Visit: True Colours Trust

Funding for a break

Breaks 4 Kids funding is available to under-privileged young people travelling as part of an organised group. The group could be a school class, youth club, church group, or a group organised by a body such as the Youth Offending Group or Connexions. Breaks 4 Kids can award up to 50% of the cost of accommodation and food. Visit: Breaks 4 Kids

Youth development

The Agnes Trust Fund assists with the education and training of disadvantaged people or with youth development projects. The next application deadline is 9 February.

Visit: www.agneshunter.org.uk

The Ford Britain Trust

This grant making trust awards grants in support of the communities in which Ford's employees work and live. Grants of up to £3,000 are available to projects focusing on: education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities, and projects that provide clear benefits to the local communities close to Ford's UK locations. The next deadline is 1 March. Visit: The Ford Britain Trust

The Greggs Foundation

This foundation operates a regional grants programme to support charitable organisations through the provision of small grants of up to £2,000. Funded projects must make a positive difference to people in need in local communities. Priority is given to projects which benefit people with caring responsibilities, people with disabilities and homeless people. Visit: Greggs Foundation

Outdoor Activities grants

The Dulverton Trust provides money for activities that improve education and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people, such as those at risk of offending or exclusion. The trust particularly likes to fund challenging outdoor activities and mostly supports organisations working in areas where a grant would significantly improve outcomes for local communities. A major grant is available for national charities with an annual income below £50m, and a minor grant is available to smaller charities working at local level with an income below £400,000.

Youth Enterprise grants

The Enterprise Challenge Grant Scheme is administered by UK Youth and is supported by international accounting firm Mazars. The grant scheme aims to improve young people's entrepreneurial skills and promote their involvement in enterprising activities across the UK. Grants of up to £250 are on offer. Visit: UK Youth

Youth volunteering grants

The Office for Civil Society has opened a programme of grants and partnership contracts, totalling almost half a million pounds, for civil society organisations to support the government's Big Society vision as part of the European Year of Volunteering (EYV) in England this year. The EYV in 2011 challenges the three-quarters of the EU population who do not already volunteer to start doing so and requires member states to develop a national work programme encouraging and maintaining volunteering.

Garfield Weston Foundation

This foundation provides funding for projects in the UK with no specific priorities for funding and a wide range of charitable activity being supported. There is no strict limit on the size of the grant given as every application is considered on its own merits. For details and to apply visit: www.garfieldweston.org

Places, People, Play programme

Sport England wants local communities across the country to be touched by the magic of London 2012 in a tangible way, and this fund will bring National Lottery funding to many local groups and facilities that haven’t previously benefited. Under the 'Places' strand Clubs, community and voluntary sector groups and councils will, when the fund opens in February, be able to apply for grants of between £25,000 and £150,000 where there is a proven local need for a facility to be modernised, extended or modified to open up new sporting opportunities.

Whole family development grants

The Kelly Family Charitable Trust is interested in funding charities whose activities involve the whole family in initiatives that seek to tackle problematical issues that face one or more of its members, and whose aims include the strengthening of family bonds by helping all elements of the family unit to grow together and support each other. Grants will typically be between £1,000 and £5,000. Visit: Kelly Family Charitable Trust

Barclays Community Sports Award

The Barclays Community Sports Award is a new award to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups that use sport to benefit communities across the UK. If you would like to nominate a person, group or not for profit organisation which has used the positive power of sport to make a real and lasting difference in their community then please complete the online form.

Whitemoss Community Fund - Skelmersdale

The Whitemoss Community Fund provides grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 to fund community and environmental projects located in the West Lancashire Borough Council area and that are within 5 miles of the Whitemoss landfill site in Skelmersdale. Visit: Whitemoss Community Fund

The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation

This foundation provides grant funding in support of a wide range of charitable projects that aim to improve the quality of life for the young, deprived, disadvantaged, disabled and elderly in the UK. Grants are normally in the range £500 to £10,000, but may exceptionally be greater. Visit: BSCF

Training on commissioning

This free training day, being delivered by Barnardos in partnership with One North West, is for BME VCS organisations working with young people, who are interested in knowing more about commissioning for young people's services.

The Big Society in the North Conference

Children & Young People Now, Regeneration & Renewal and Third Sector titles have come together to produce this one day conference with Haymarket Conferences. The main sessions for the day are:

International Women's Day event - Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale Action for Youth working in partnership with multiple agencies: including Digmoor Community Centre; Young Peoples Service; Fire & Rescue and the C.P.S., would like to invite young people, in particular young women, to an International Women's Day Event on 8 March. There will be a range of presentations from young women including: a street dance show; self defence classes and other activities throughout the evening.

Calling all Youth Managers! - Free training available!

Lancashire County Council currently have 4 places available on the FPM Managers course. The course is aimed at managers from all sectors (including the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector) who manage front-line workers delivering services and activities with young people aged 13-19.

CYPL News Archive 2010

Here are our news archives for 2010.

CYPL News - December 2010

Season's Greetings

Season's Greetings from all at Young Lancashire. Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year. The office will be closed during Bank Holidays, from 24 December, and will re-open fully on 4 Jan 2011.

Funding settlement for councils

The Department for Communities and Local Government has published the provisional details of the funding settlement for councils in England for 2011-12 and 2012-13. The figures for individual councils is available. The settlement distributes the £29 billion in 2011/12 and the £27 billion in 2012/13 that the October Spending Review allocated to local authorities through the formula grant.

Lancashire Women's Voices programme

An opportunity for women to shape future cohesion policy and strategy across Lancashire organisations. As part of the development of the community cohesion strategies for both the Lancashire Community Cohesion Partnership and Lancashire County Council, the county council is co-ordinating the Lancashire Women's Voices programme with the following aims and outcomes...

Wyre Children's Trust - advance notice of funding

The Prevention and Early Intervention subgroup of Wyre District Children's Trust, would like to give advance notice of a forthcoming opportunity: "To establish a number of family support workers (approximately seven) based in the high schools". These workers will also work with feeder primary school and under the direction of the Early Intervention and Development Officer in Wyre to deliver early intervention support to children young people and families across the district.

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Children's Trust release new funding

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley District Children's Trusts have released new funding, both Children's Trusts wish to commission inclusion projects that deliver to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The total amount for Hyndburn is £13,500 and for Ribble Valley is £5,500. The deadline for the expressions of interest for both Ribble Valley and Hyndburn is the 17th January 2011. If you wish to express your interest in the funding please see guideline information and the application form below.

Localism Bill

The Department for Communities and Local Government has published the Localism Bill.

Community organisation

The Office of Public Management has published The New 'Neighbourhood Army': The role of community organising in the Big Society. The report examines the potential role of community organizing within the 'Big Society' agenda - and the ways in which it could also be made to work for those in disadvantaged communities.

LLUK Sector Skills Council looses licence

Lifelong Learning UK, the sector skills council for adult learning employers, and which includes the standards for Youth Work, has been told that it will not have its license renewed and will be closed on 31 March 2011. The decision follows a review undertaken by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) which found LLUK's responsibilities to "not be compatible with the projected level of resources".

DfE Early Intervention Grant - NW launch event

Presentations available from DfE on Early Intervention, and from Cabinet Office on the Modernising Commissioning Green Paper. Presenters; Nick Lawrence, Deputy Director, Head of Families at Risk Division and Emma Green, of the Cabinet Office, explained how families with multiple needs will be supported through a new grant for Early Intervention, which replaces funding for a number of early intervention and preventative services for vulnerable children, young people and families.

Commissioning, collaboration and the community

Bassac has published Benefiting everyone - Commissioning, community organisations and collaboration. It argues that community groups can add huge value to public service design and delivery and can help commissioners meet their objectives.

Modernising Commissioning - Cabinet Office presentation

The Office for Civil Society, part of the Cabinet Office, are keen to hear from Civil Society Organisations about how the role of charities, social enterprises, mutuals, co-operatives can be increased in the provision of public services.

POLICY AND SUPPORT

Young carers

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has published a report which finds one around one in five young carers finds the Christmas period harder than the rest of the year because of a reduction in support services. The snapshot survey of 117 carers aged five to 18 also revealed that more than a third would be caring for ill or disabled parents for more than six hours on Christmas day.

Backing Young Britain

The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion has published a report evaluating the Work Experience Programme (originally called 'Backing Young Britain'), which was designed to provide work placements for unemployed young people aged 18-24. It finds that work experience placements help young people to develop their confidence and choose which career they wanted to pursue.

Public service delivery

The Social Market Foundation, a think-tank, has published More with Less: Rethinking public service delivery. The report says that a market-based approach to public service delivery is the best long-term basis for public service effectiveness and efficiency. It sets out a framework to help policymakers navigate the 'baffling array' of commissioning approaches in the delivery of public services. Source NCVYS

Local support providers

Capacitybuilders has published its fourth survey of local support providers. It shows that 75% of organisations that provide support and advice services to frontline voluntary and community groups expect their income to fall during the next 12 months. 44% have already seen a reduction in income over the last year and 37% have suffered funding cuts from their local authority.

Young people and the cuts

The Guardian journalist Patrick Butler has written an interesting think piece on young people and the cuts. The article questions whether young people are being unfairly disadvantaged by the spending squeeze and lists nine areas from housing to education in which teenagers and young adults appear to be disproportionately shouldering the cuts burden.

Source: Children England

Youth information services

Youth Access has published two reports on Youth Information Advice Counselling and Support services (YIACS). The first report, A proven early intervention model – the evidence for Youth Information Advice Counselling and Support services (YIACS), draws on evidence from a wide range of Government and independent reports and research; Youth Access own research; outcomes evidence from YIACS; and the testimonies of young people themselves.

Young voices but mature views

The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) has launched a microsite to help children and young people understand the work that it does and to give a better understanding of best practice, enabling them to know what to expect from services.

Big Society in deprived communities

Ippr, a think-tank, has published Supporting community and social enterprise in deprived communities: A Good Practice Guide. The report, based on case study research carried out in the North West earlier in 2010, identifies a series of barriers and opportunities facing community organisations as they seek to take up the Coalition Government's Big Society challenge. Source: NCVYS

Department for Education grants

Anas Sarwar (Lab, Glasgow Central) has asked the Department for Education about the grants it has awarded. Children's Minister Tim Loughton responded on behalf of the government and said, "At the start of 2010-11, the Department had approximately 230 grant streams of different sizes. The table shows that around £14 billion went to our non-departmental public bodies and around £37 billion went to local authorities, the largest component being the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon is a children's charity dedicated to helping underprivileged children (disadvantaged physically, mentally or socially) and young people to live happier, richer lives. Previous support has been capital toward sports and activity areas, sensory rooms and gardens and playgrounds. Grants are generally in the range £20,000 to £100,000.

Visit: www.woodenspoon.com

Waitrose scheme

Waitrose Community Matters gives each branch £1,000 (or £500 in its convenience shops) to share out between three local good causes each month such as welfare organisations, community groups, schools or local divisions of national charities. Visit: www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk

The Big Tree Plant

A new £4 million community tree planting scheme - The Big Tree Plant - has been launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in partnership with the Forestry Commission, civil society partners and conservation organisations. The aim of the scheme is to support community, not for profit, groups to plant one million trees in towns, cities and residential areas throughout England over the next four years (2011 to 2015).

Miller Philanthropy

SCM Philanthropy aims to support small charities and individuals who undertake work in the community and help them to help others by funding non‐profit making activities, projects and individuals that have the passion and solutions to positively effect change in ailing sectors of society and the environment. On average, grant requests range from £5,000 to £40,000 per year. Note: Applications for grants will re-open spring 2011. Visit: www.scmphilanthropy.com

Transition Fund update

The presentation and Q&A responses from the briefing events are now available on the Young Lancashire website. If your organisation operates in Lancashire and would like support to write an application please send an email to: Support Services. Please check the funding criteria first, to ensure that you are eligible and please note that the Transition Fund will only pay for 'transition work', for example, business planning, redundancy costs, and marketing campaigns for delivery of 'paid for services', and not for the delivery of existing services.

The Percy Bilton Charity

The Percy Bilton Charity is a grant-making trust (registered charity number 1094720) and company limited by guarantee founded in 1962.

BT Community Connections Award

Want to help your community get online?

Apply for a BT Community Connections Award today...

Young people's entrepreneurial skills

The Enterprise Challenge Grant Scheme is administered by UK Youth and is supported by international accounting firm Mazars. The grant scheme aims to improve young people's entrepreneurial skills and promote their involvement in enterprising activities across the UK. Grants of up to £250 are on offer. The next funding round deadline is Friday 14 January 2011.

BLF Reaching Communities new capital grant strand

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has today opened a new strand of the Reaching Communities Programme for England, which will invest an additional £75 million in rural and urban community-use buildings.

First Light Young Film Fund - Now Open to Application

First Light Movies provides funding to organisations to support film-making among young people aged between five and 19. Productions of any genre are eligible to receive funding (eg live action, animated fiction, creative documentaries). Young people are expected to play a lead role in all aspects of the production process.

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Twitter

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CYPL News - November 2010

Riding the Wave

An evaluation of a Lancashire Consortium. Riding the Wave was commissioned by Young Lancashire. The report shows how Young Lancashire, together with Consortium partners, have managed to bring together a diverse range of voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisations to collaborate in an innovative way in order to bid, deliver, monitor and report outcomes across twenty-nine different providers in 2009/10, (thirty-eight in 2010/12). For a summary report visit: Riding the Wave - Case Study.

Lancashire areas to manage 'Community Budgets'

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced the sixteen areas, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, have been given direct control over local spending in their area free of centrally imposed conditions as part of the Spending Review.

Transition Fund opens for business

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, have sent an open letter to the voluntary and community sector to update everyone on the outcome of the spending review and the opportunities and challenges it presents for the sector. Nick Hurd announced on Twitter this week that the fund is "On track to be open for business on 30 Nov. Applicants will need a plan for Transition."

Commissioning voluntary organisations

The National Youth Agency (NYA) launched a partnership to encourage councils to commission voluntary organisations. NYA, along with Re:generate and the Social Investment Business, will help councils to commission voluntary and community organisations to deliver youth services.
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/1039624/NYA-help-broker-council-contracts/

Source: www.ncvys.org.uk

Government to seek views on public service reform

The Government wants to reform public services by shifting power away from central government to the local level – to citizens, communities, and independent providers, so that they can play a greater role in shaping services. The Government also seeks comments on how best to ensure that continuity of service is maintained in any public service that is provided by voluntary, community or business groups. Respondents can submit their views from Friday 26 November 2010 until Wednesday 05 January 2011. More...

New Parliamentary inquiry announced - Services for Young People

The Education Committee has launched a new inquiry and call for evidence into services for young people. The Education Committee is yesterday announcing an inquiry into the provision of services beyond the school/college day for young people, primarily those aged 13-25. The inquiry will consider both universal services – for instance youth clubs, or sporting, musical and cultural activities – and targeted services for vulnerable groups.

Music licences for charities

The Government has helped broker a new deal between charities and music creators on the music licensing system. Since May this year it has been agreed that:

Young people take over Sussex Police

Twelve young people ‘took over Sussex Police' on Friday 12 November as part of the annual NationalTakeover Day initiative.

Sinking & Swimming

‘Sinking and Swimming: Understanding Britain’s Unmet Needs’ (2009) is the culmination of a series of studies undertaken by the Young Foundation between 2007 and 2009. Their aim was to map the state of need in the UK, using a wide range of research tools and combining national analysis with local case studies. Copies of the full report are available to order on the Young Foundation website.

Discussion on youth services

CYPNow has summarised a discussion on young people's services with MPs, charities and young people. Co chairs of the APPG on Youth Affairs Stella Creasy MP, and Stewart Jackson MP, spoke about the future of youth services. http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/inDepth/1039939/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin

Source: www.ncvys.org.uk

Open letter to civil society

The Cabinet Office has published an open letter from the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Minister for Civil Society to civil society. It provides an update on the outcomes of the Spending Review and the opportunities and challenges it presents for civil society organisations.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/428659/open-letter-to-sector.pdf

Source: www.ncvys.org.uk

Departmental Business Plans

The Coalition Government has published business plans that set out in detail the work of government for the next four years. The departmental business plans are based on the departmental structural reform plans published by the government in the summer, but provide more details about what Ministers plan.

Preparing to restructure your organisation?

As spending cuts hit, many charities are preparing to restructure their organisations. For a guide to what you should bear in mind visit: Voluntary Sector Network Blog for an article by Ian Oakley-Smith of The Guardian.

Report calls for children and young people to be actively engaged in their health care

A review of children’s health services by Professor Sir Ian Kennedy has now been published exploring in detail the cultural barriers preventing children and young people from receiving high quality care from the NHS.

How will spending cuts affect the voluntary and community youth sector?

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) has published Comprehensive Cuts, a report detailing the extent of cuts facing the voluntary and community sector. The publication is based on a survey of over 100 organisations conducted by NCVYS and Children and Young People Now magazine in September 2010.

Making a difference together?

Charities Evaluation Services’ National Performance Programme, in association with Collaboration Benefits, have launched Making a Difference Together? A guide to planning, monitoring and evaluating voluntary and community sector collaborative working

Big Yes to ‘Big Listen’ at Youth Summit

At a meeting with young people arranged by national charity, the British Youth Council (BYC), the Deputy Prime Minister said a “big yes” to the idea of the Government listening to the views and proposals of young people on key issues and welcomed the opportunity to expand on Government thinking behind policies which would affect them.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - Skills for Sustainable Growth Executive summary

The Skills for Sustainable Growth Executive Summary summarises the Government's strategy on improving and using skills for sustainable economic growth, and extending social mobility and inclusion. It also shows how the system will be reformed to better meet the needs of employers and learners.

Kinsella Fund

The Home Office has launched a new £250,000 fund for projects to tackle knife crime, in memory of Ben Kinsella who was murdered in 2008. 50 grants will be available for projects which directly benefit disadvantaged young people and are targeted at areas with high levels of knife crime and serious youth violence.

Source: Hyndburn Community Network

BBC Fund for Performing Arts

Performing Arts Fund: Young People's Musical Theatre is a BBC scheme that will award £200,000 in grants aimed at encouraging young people to take part in musical theatre. The scheme is open to any non-profit theatre group who have a youth section or are made up of members under 25. Groups can apply for grants of between £500 and £5,000.

The closing date for applications is 30th November.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund/

Share and Learn Grant Scheme

The Share and Learn Grant Scheme is a small grant scheme administrated by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), which will support VCS front-line organisations who deliver services to children, young people and families to share their experience of supporting and developing their staff and volunteers and enable other front-line organisations to learn from their practice.

Comic Relief funding open for applications

Cycle 5 of the Comic Relief fund is now open, and is supporting: refugee and asylum seeking women; domestic and sexual abuse; and mental health. Grants on average vary between £25,000 and £40,000 per year, for up to three years. The deadline for applying is 7 January 2011. Sport for Change - Comic Relief will fund organisations that are using sport to address a social issue or community concern such as substance use, crime related problems, integration, exclusion of older people, community cohesion, gangs or knife crime, mental health, and young people at risk.

Breaks 4 Kids

Breaks 4 Kids is a charitable fund, run by YHA (Youth Hostel Association) that supports under-privileged young people under the age of 18, travelling as part of an organised group such as; school class, youth club, church group, or a group organised by a body such as the Youth Offending Group or Connexions. They offer grants for up to 50% of the cost of accommodation and food. Trips can be organised or there is a YHS School Trip package available which includes organised activities, linked to the national curriculum which offers social and educational benefits.

VCFS Central Gateway Grants

Please note that Lancashire County Council's Central Gateway Grants for the VCFS is now open for bidding. Application packs can now be downloaded from Lancashire County Council's website. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday, 7 January 2011.

Six National Funders

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) is among six organisations that have been selected to manage future government funded community programmes. The decision follows a Cabinet Office-led tendering process that sought to identify a small selection of organisations that specialise in grant-fund administration.

Barclays Community Sports Award

The Barclays Community Sports Award is a new award to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups that use sport to benefit communities across the UK. If you would like to nominate a person, group or not for profit organisation which has used the positive power of sport to make a real and lasting difference in their community then please complete the online form.

Jubilee People's Millions

Community groups will be able to apply for up to £60,000 from a total of £3.6million. The funded projects will inspire, involve or improve the local communities they live in. Finalists will be showcased on ITV regional news when the public will vote for the projects they want to receive the Lottery funding. If you are interested in applying for this programme then please visit www.peoplesmillions.org.uk or phone 0845 0101112. Groups will have until midday on 4 February 2011 to get their entries in.

Networks, Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations course

Lancashire Learning Consortium are offering a highly innovative 'Networks, Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations' course, which, thanks to funding secured from the Big Lottery Fund, Lancashire-based community and voluntary sector organisations can access up to 90% subsidy for the course.

CYPL News - October 2010

LOCAL NEWS

Children Still Matter - Investing in today for a better tomorrow

Young Lancashire are hosting the annual Voluntary, Community, and Faith Sector conference on Wednesday 17th November 2010, from 9:30am - 2:30pm, at the Gujarati Hindu Centre (GHS), South Meadow Lane, Preston, PR1 8JN.

Highlights of the day will include key note speakers; Honor Rhodes, Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships; Helen Denton, Lancashire County Council Children's Services; Elaine Jackson, Little Angels.

Lancashire's Children and Young People's Plan - VCFS response now available

The VCFS Consultation on the new Children and Young People's Plan has noe closed and a sector reponse has been garnered from members of the VCFS Network (please find below). The first Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP) for Lancashire was prepared around 18 months ago, with an intended date for review of 2012. Since then the context for children's services has changed dramatically and, at a national level, continues to change. At the present time all Children's Trusts are required to prepare a CYPP by April 2011. The Consultation was open to all organisations from the VCFS delivering services to Children and Young People. 10 organisations ranging from smaller community based organisations to big national charities took part. Here's what they said about the new plan priorities and suggested other prioirites that merit consideration. Full details of the plan can be found here . Download Consultation Documents and Complete the Online Form. Read more...

Lancashire areas to manage 'Community Budgets'

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced the sixteen areas, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, have been given direct control over local spending in their area free of centrally imposed conditions as part of the Spending Review.

Big Sector Survey Results now available!

The Big Sector survey results are now available for viewing. The survey was undertaken in August and invited VCFS organisations across the county to participate with the chance of winning a Nintendo Wii and access to free or heavily subsidised training based on their top 4 training requirements. 44 organisations took part, representing a 33% response rate. The key areas of development included:

'Joining the Dots'

This year's AGM will take place at Farringdon Park Community Centre, Preston. Featuring Young Person of the Year and a Key Note on the opportunities ahead. Members, friends and colleagues are invited to come along and celebrate the sector's excellent and creative work with Lancashire's Young People.

Impact radar results

The results from September's Impact Radar shows, of 22 voluntary organisations operating in Lancashire which responded; 33% expect a decrease in funding, this amounts to a (circa) £1 million decrease; currently these organisations provide £6.5 million of services; organisations surveyed expect 89 jobs to be cut, which equates to around a third of the current combined workforce of 360 paid staff in these 22 organisations.

NCVYS Young Facilitators Regional Workshops 2010

Do you work with young people who would be interested in attending a workshop around social media and online protection?

If so, the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) have three regional Young Facilitators who are inviting young people from across their regions to come and attend their regional workshop.

NATIONAL NEWS

Spending Review

The Government has published its 2010 Spending Review, setting out planned public spending programmes for the period to 2014-15. The review completed the government's self-imposed task of reducing planned public spending by £81 billion by the end of the period. The following announcements are of particular importance for the voluntary youth sector:

New Language of Government

A list of titles and phrases relating to Children and Young People (CYP) policy pre May 2010 and a revised set of language for CYP Policy post election.

Participation workers reveal barriers to meaningful engagement of children and young people

The National Participation Forum (NPF) has officially launched the results of its latest survey, Children's participation in decision-making - survey of participation workers, revealing the views of over 280 frontline participation workers. The comprehensive survey looks at the levels of which they involve children and young people in the development and delivery of policies and services, the barriers to promoting a culture of inclusive decision-making and the training and support available to them.

Role for Voluntary Sector in tackling unemployment and youth offending

The Chancellor unveiled the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review today and public spending is expected to be in line with 2008 public spending expenditure.

However, reality bites when each of the departments will see signficant reductions (on average 19% per department) in their allocations and local councils expected to receive 7.1% less per year.

There are some winners coming out of the review, including the schools, public health, transport, housing and major capital programmes to name a few.

New £100 million fund for the VCS

As announced in the spending review, a one-year transition fund of £100m for voluntary and community sector organisations will be established to support pilot projects for the National Citizen Service (NCS), the formation of 5,000 new community organisers and other big society projects. Overall, £470m will be invested over the four-year review period to support capacity-building in the voluntary and community sector, including an endowment fund to assist local voluntary and community organisations. The Office for Civil Society will support the big society, NCS and community organisers, as well as setting up a Community First Fund to support new and existing small community organisations in deprived areas. Extra money will be collected by the Big Society Bank from private sector investment and funding left in dormant bank accounts. The government will also work with the financial sector, the voluntary sector and community groups to develop equity investment opportunities in public services.

FUNDING

New Big Lottery Fund grant scheme for UK charities tackling poverty overseas

The Big Lottery Fund has launched a new £25m fund for UK-based charities tackling poverty overseas. The fund, called International Communities, will provide grants of between £50,000 and £500,000 for overseas projects that improve access to primary education, healthcare and natural resources, build sustainable livelihoods and support the human rights of disadvantaged people.

Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales offers new funding scheme

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales has launched a new funding initiative aimed at supporting work that improves the lives of people with mental illness in the criminal justice system. The grants will last for up to three years, and their value will be decided according to the needs of the charities that apply, a spokeswoman said. A budget for the initiative won't be set until the foundation has received funding applications from interested charities, she added.

Youth In Focus Consultations !!!!

Youth in focus -Step-It-Up and Young Lancashire are facilitating consultation sessions as part of the Youth in Focus programme. The Youth in Focus programme is being rolled out by the national lottery, £30m will be made available for the UK and within this there are three target groups (You

POLICY AND SUPPORT

Participation Works has published a new 'How to' guide on consortium working

This guide arose in part from the evaluation of the Participation Works consortium undertaken by De Montfort University. The evaluation looked at how the consortium had worked and what the partners and those outside the group thought of the consortium as a way of delivering Participation Works’ services.

Partner with the private sector?

New Philanthropy Capital has published Preparing for Cuts (login required). The report outlines issues set to face charities in the coming months and ways in which they may have to adapt. It suggests that children's charities should be prepared to partner with private sector providers to limit the damage cuts may have on their services. It also argues that charities will face an increasing demand for evidence of outcomes.

Impact Radar - October's snapshot

We are gathering an information-base so we can let the Children's Trusts in Lancashire and funders see the bigger picture of cuts the voluntary sector maybe facing next year and how that impacts upon community. To meet this we will be running this question set monthly between now and next June.

The CRB disclosure service

Ask any questions you may have about 'CRBs' either as a provider of checks or as a recipent of the service in Lancashire. Questions raised in this forum will addressed, as appropriate by a panel of professionals in the sector and from HR departments in Local Authorities.

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Children Still Matter - Investing in Today for a Better Tomorrow

Young Lancashire are hosting the annual Voluntary, Community, and Faith Sector conference on Wednesday 17th November 2010, from 9:30am - 2:30pm, at the Gujarati Hindu Centre (GHS), South Meadow Lane, Preston, PR1 8JN.

Highlights of the day will include key note speakers; Honor Rhodes, Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships; Helen Denton, Lancashire County Council Children's Services; Elaine Jackson, Little Angels.

The day will be facilitated by Dave Packwood, VCS Engage, who will set the scene of the national context following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

There will also be opportunity to take part in two work shops designed to improve knowledge and understanding around whole family solutions and Child Protection.

For further information, contact Roz Catlow at Young Lancashire on 01772 556127.

Made in Morecambe

Young Lancashire network member More Music invite you to an intoxicating, irresistible night of music that’s been ‘Made in Morecambe’ on Friday 29 October. The pick of More Music’s innovative projects featuring: The Heartbreaks, Stages Big Band, a choir with MCs, a carnival collective, a jazz/ hip hop crossover, and the new Shanghai Suite are set to perform.
A live music event like no other and suitable for the whole family! The show takes place on Friday 29th October in the round at The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster

Big Society and Sport

Lancashire Sport are organising a conference on Big Society and Sport on the morning of the 16 November at Preston North End. The focus of the session is about getting potential providers and commissioners prepared to deliver on the agenda – specifically around Sport and Physical Activity. For more information download: Big Society and Sport Conference

Open day and launch

Lancaster and District YMCA's new activity programme will be launched on Wednesday 17th November 2010, at Fleet Square, Lancaster. LA1 1HA. The programme will be officially opened at 11.15am by the most capped English cricketer ever, Alec Stewart OBE. During the day there will be an opportunity to view presentations of YMCA's varied work; Community Development programmes including youth work, sports and arts work, Diversity FM community radio station, work with ex-offenders, homelessness prevention project, and counselling, mediation and advocacy work.

Level 1 Safeguarding and Protecting Children e-learning course now available!

Lancashire Safeguarding Board have launced a Level 1 Safegaurding and Protecting Children online course which can be accessed here.

New users are asked to note the following details when registering for this free course.

CYPL News - September 2010

Arts Partnership ready to make music

Chorley Arts Partnership are ready to make music with the receipt of some Home Office funding and are now looking for new faces to take part!.They are inviting young people over the age of 12 to get involved with the new scheme and learn new skills around music production and recording. The only crtieria is that they must be able to travel to The Arts Partnership in Chorley to access the recording studio. The added bonus will be every young person involved will be working towards thhe Bronze Arts Award.

National Citizen Service

Young Lancashire has joined UK Youth, with several other national and local partners, in an expression of interest to pilot the National Citizen Service (NCS) in 2011. UK Youth hope that, if successful, the pilot can be extended into a full national programme when the scheme is fully launched. If successful, Young Lancashire will contact Members to see how organisations might be involved in offering the NCS across Lancashire.

CYPP One Year On 2010 - Update

The plan 'One Year On 2010 Update' includes revised actions for the year ahead and records notable improvements over the last year: * A sharp reduction in the number of schools below the government’s “floor targets” for attainment * An increase in young people taking part in positive activities * A continuing reduction in the number of young people reporting that they regularly get drunk, and, * The introduction of an early intervention policy. Voluntary organisations will be invited to participate in a consultation process on new targets for next year's Plan in the next few weeks. A copy of the 'One Year on 2010 Update' is available to download below.

Join October's snapshot

We are gathering an information-base so we can let the Children's Trusts in Lancashire and funders see the bigger picture of cuts the voluntary sector maybe facing next year and how that impacts upon community. Please visit: October's Snapshot to complete this online survey. It will only take a few minutes of your time.

VCFS Reps celebrate involvement with Children's Trusts

A survey conducted by Young Lancashire has revealed excellent value for money and a compelling case for Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector engagement with the Children's Trusts. The 52 representatives, co-ordinated by Young Lancashire through the county and district VCFS forums, were asked about their role on the children's trusts and how much they value it. They told us:

Lancashire’s Voluntary Youth Service Consortium receives top results

This enterprise, co-ordinated by Young Lancashire, has secured over £1 million investment to local charities through collaborative working from the Young Peoples Service’s Commissioned Outcomes Funding programme, has recently been independently evaluated and is featured by national charity NCVO as a case study into collaborative working.

PM advises - Don't cut money from voluntary bodies

Prime Minister David Cameron told local authorities yesterday not to “do the easy thing” by cutting budgets for voluntary bodies in their communities. Cameron told his audience at Prime Minister’s questions that instead councils should look at core costs and “how you can do more for less”. His comments came in response to Labour MP for Bolton West Julie Hilling who advised that Bolton Community and Voluntary Services had already lost £89,000 of grants this year for small voluntary groups.

New ministerial advisory group to advise on commisioning of youth services

A ministerial advisory group, made up of representatives from across local government, has been established to help draft the government's schools white paper. The advissory group has a number of tasks to complete one of which is to work with junior children's minister Tim Loughton to outline the future role of local authorities in commissioning youth services. The advisory group are currently scrutinising the proposals, and will be making recommendations on final policy before the white paper is published in the autumn.

Education and disadvantage

Barnados have published Unlocking the Gates, which tackles the issue of fair admissions to secondary schools in England. It draws on academic research and the experience of Barnardo's ChoiceAdvisers, to explore the ways in which our education system fails toprovide a ‘level playing field' for children born into disadvantage.

Think Big Society

A Children and Young People Now feature article on the Big Society asked six leading figures from the sector to explore what Big Society will mean. Nick Wilkie, Chief Executive of London Youth gave his insight into Youth Work and Big Society. Nick argues that what youth workers do is the Big Society, "the coalition's stated vision of small groups of engaged citizens taking real responsibility for the raising of our young accurately describes the work youth workers are already doing every day and night.

Children's trust rules removed

The government has officially revoked the requirement for children's trusts to publish local children and young people's plans.

Tory proposals to scrap duties on local plans as well as wider reforms to deregulate children's trusts were first revealed earlier this year by CYP Now in an interview with Michael Gove, then shadow children's secretary.

The removal of the duty on the plans has been quietly ushered in first, since the changes do not require primary legislation.

A government assessment said the move will "reduce burdens on local authorities and their relevant partners".

Source: www.cypnow.co.uk

Gove advocates Dangerous Book for Boys

Michael Gove said the "bubble-wrapped" culture that has seen teachers become too risk averse over adventurous activities and school trips must end. As reported by Tom Whitehead in the Telegraph, schools should adopt a "Dangerous Book for Boys" culture to curb the health and safety paranoia. Gove believes parents are frustrated by the restrictive attitude and has promised to rip up the red tape and tackle the compensation culture that has created it.

Overhaul of local authority youth provision

Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families has spoken to delegates at the Association of Directors of Children's Services' annual conference about youth provision. As reported by Children & Young People Now, Loughton said "I don't think the monopoly that local authorities have over the delivery and commissioning of youth services is necessarily the way to go."

National Youth Agency to axe 60 per cent of its staff

The National Youth Agency (NYA) has announced that 60 per cent of its staff will be made redundant due to a lack of funding. A consultation redundancy period began yesterday (22 September) for more than 26 employees from a team of 43. The decision to make redundancies was taken by the NYA’s board of trustees last week, who decided it was the best to act quickly to protect the charitable aims of the organisation.

Source: CYPNow

Effective Services for Young People

The Transition to Adulthood Alliance and Young People in Focus have published Made to Measure - Bespoke Services for Young Adults: Examples of Promising Practice. The research outlines how projects aimed at 18- to 24-year-olds can be most effective and aims to inspire others to create similar projects and help young people find out more about organisations in their area.

Participation Works publish new guide for involving children and young people in formal meetings

Participation Works is pleased to announce the launch of its new guide, ‘Children and young people’s involvement in formal meetings: a practical guide’

Volunteer Management

The Institute for Volunteering Research have published Valuing Volunteer Management, which reveals the need for more training and development for managers of volunteers. It shows that nearly half of people who manage volunteers have not received any training that would help them in their work, despite the fact that volunteers are crucial to the Government's Big Society.

Power and social change

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has published Power and Social Change. The guide combines a mix of theory and practical examples to assist voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) to think strategically about how to bring about social change.

Reducing the attainment gap

The Sutton Trust has published Ensuring Less Privileged Pupils Benefit from the Government's School Reforms. The paper urges the government to balance its desire to increase school autonomy through academies and free schools with measures to reduce the attainment gap between pupils from poor and better-off backgrounds.

Young people and mutuals

FPM Training has published Youth First: a new mutual model for young people. The paper explores a new mutual model to provide services for young people. It explores the opportunity to develop new ways of working which will support young people most in need as well as supporting all young people and their communities to provide more for themselves.

Review of 14-19 vocational education

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has asked Professor Alison Wolf to carry out an independent review of vocational education. Professor Wolf will look at the organisation of vocational education and its responsiveness to a changing labour market, and will consider ways to increase incentives for young people to participate. The review will also take explicit account of good practice in a selection of developed economies. Visit: Department for Education

Youth workers given resources to promote sector

The National Youth Agency has launched a series of materials to help youth workers promote the positive impact their work has on young people's lives, in preparation for Youth Work Week in November.

Services for disabled already reducing

Local authorities are cutting budgets for disabled children pre-emptively in the belief that funding will not be available for services from April, according to a report.

Safeguarding system: voices of young people!

Action for Children were commissioned by the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) to seek the views of children and young people that have been through a child protection or safeguarding system; so C4EO can have a better understanding of interventions that work and why young people and their families are sometimes reluctant to take up social work support and what would be more effective ways of engaging them.

Peter Cruddas Foundation

The Foundation gives priority to programmes designed to help disadvantaged young people to pursue their education (including vocational) and more generally develop their potential whether through sport or recreation, voluntary programmes or otherwise. Preference will be given to the support of projects undertaken by charitable organisations for the benefit of such people, but consideration will also be given in appropriate circumstances to applications for individual support.

Funding for Creative Partnerships to be removed

Arts Council England is to withdraw its funding for the creative learning programme for schools at the end of the current academic year.

The news comes as research from PricewaterhouseCoopers reveals the Creative Partnerships programme, championed by the former Labour government, has the potential to generate £4bn for the UK economy. Such a figure would be achievable if the scheme continues to increase pupils’ ability to achieve five good GCSEs and helps avoid the associated costs of crime, truancy and low teacher morale. Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), which runs the programme, has said the Arts Council’s decision will mean Creative Partnerships will not be able to continue in its current form from September 2011. This will entail job losses.

CCE chief executive Paul Collard said: "We all understand that the country faces unprecedented cuts in public expenditure. However, with the withdrawal of funding from programmes such as Creative Partnerships, it is becoming increasingly clear that children and young people, particularly those from the most disadvantaged communities, will be expected to bear the brunt of the cuts in the arts. This is especially disappointing given the wealth of evidence supporting the impact of Creative Partnerships on the attendance, aspirations and attainment of children and young people in school."

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report found that for every £1 invested in Creative Partnerships, it delivers £15.30 worth of benefits, two-thirds of which directly impact learners. In January, an Ofsted report concluded that creative approaches to learning have a positive impact on pupils' personal development and preparation for life beyond school. Previous research conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research, similarly pointed to a link between Creative Partnerships and improved educational attainment.

Collard added: "We remain committed to supporting the delivery of high-quality cultural programmes for young people and will continue to work closely with schools, arts organisations and local authorities that have been strong supporters of our programmes and value the benefit they bring to their children and young people. We will be developing options for the continuation of Creative Partnerships through alternative sources of funding."

In June the government announced it was to cut CCE’s Find Your Talent programme, which was piloting a scheme to provide young people with access to at least five hours of cultural and creative activities a week. It was originally intended to run in 10 pathfinder areas until 2011.

Source: www.cypnow.co.uk

Impact Radar - October's snapshot

We are gathering an information-base so we can let the Children's Trusts in Lancashire and funders see the bigger picture of cuts the voluntary sector maybe facing next year and how that impacts upon community. To meet this we will be running this question set monthly between now and next June.

Be Safe! Event

On Thursday 21st October, Young Lancashire is hosting the 'Be Safe!' Event from 9:30am - 4pm at Burnley Youth Theatre, Queens Park Road, Burnley, BB10 3LB.

The Be Safe! Event is a series of short workshops aimed at raising awareness of Harm Reduction for children, young people, staff and volunteers by offering participants the opportunity to risk assess against each otf the thematic areas.

Following the event participants should consider what their next steps should be to ensure 'harm reduction'.

Due to limited availability, we can only accept registrations from a maximum of two people per organisation.

Games Makers - London 2012

London 2012 Olympic Games requires 70,000 volunteers to help make the Games happen. You don't have to wait until 2012 to get involved Volunteers can appply now to become a Games Maker. Visit: Volunteering London 2012 to apply.

Quality Standards Development Workshop

This workshop will cover an explanation of what PQASSO is, how it works, and how Young Lancashire can support organisations who wish to work through the framework to achieve the self assessed quality standard. Participating organisations are provided with a free PQASSO handbook and guidance on how to achieve this recognised quality mark.

Progress - Youth Worker Training Programme

The 'Progress' training programme, developed by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), covers five priority areas including; facilitating learning and development, safeguarding, health and safety and the promotion of access to information and support. It's expected that funding, apart from registration fees (circa £20), will be available to cover the costs of this training.

Early Intervention for Families At-Risk- One Day Conference

Capita's 8th National Early Intervention for families At-Risk conference explores strategies to ensure the effective delivery of early intervention schemes to secure better outcomes for vulnerable familes.

Benefits of attending:

CYPL News - August 2010

Young Lancashire gets social with media

Young Lancashire is now on facebook and twitter! Now you can find all the latest sector news and information on support, representation, funding and events from your favourite social media sites. Click on the links below to follow or like Young Lancashire's new pages.

'Getting fit for the future with Step-It-Up'

An innovative project is underway to represent Voluntary, Community and Faith organisations, and we would like you to contribute to how we as a sector shape and deliver our services.

The project is third sector led but will engage with local authority and health commissioners throughout the process to create a recognised business model for the sector to use.

News 4YOUth

For information from Lancashire's Young People's Service including details of the new Lancashire Members of the Youth Parliament, download a copy of News 4YOUth - issue 8 below.

Lancaster and District Women's Aid Seek Help

Dear reader,

Lancaster and District Womens Aid (LWDA) secured funding in July 2009 to provide a children and young people's service for under 18's across the District who have been affected by domestic abuse and violence in the home.

YOUTH CHALLENGES AND YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards are a peer education approach to recognising and accrediting young people's achievements. They are designed to encourage young people to take a more active role in the youth work activities that interest them.

Young Lancashire is one of UK Youths Operating Agencies who support groups and organisations wishing to offer these opportunities to their young people.

Preston on Wheels

Preston on Wheels is a project that aims to help people achieve healthier, happier lives by varying cycle initiatives in and around parks and green spaces.

There are also opportunities to volunteer and lead cycle rides, or learn about cycle care and maintenance. All events are free and details can be found at www.preston.gov.uk/events

Big Society - latest

A briefing paper Big Society Step by Step from VSNW provides an introduction and analysis of the Big Society agenda with key questions on commissioning, local authority accountability, localism and consultation processes. This briefing is supported by the Insight Public Affairs (IPA) briefing on Big Society.

NCVYS Annual Conference and AGM 2010 - When life hands you lemons make lemonade!

This year's NCVYS annual conference and AGM will be focusing on celebrating the innovative nature of our sector; we will explore the sector's ability to solve society's most intractable problems.

Gove reverses 16 to 19 funding changes

Education Secretary Michael Gove has announced plans to reverse key changes introduced by the last government as part of the 16 to 19 transfer that took place in April this year.

Survey reveals that three-quarters of young people volunteer

The Jack Petchey Foundation has published a new report Listen Up! They took a survey of more than 6,000 11- to 25-year-olds and the result of focus groups in schools and youth projects, found that just two per cent of young people say becoming famous is very important and only 12 per cent admire wealth.

Fostering and the care system

The Fostering Network have written a report Bursting at the Seams: Impact on fostering services of the rise of children going into care 2009-10.

Global youth unemployment has reached record high

The International Labour Organization (ILO) have published a report Global Employment Trends for Youth, August 2010.

It has found that the amount of unemployed young people has reached its highest level on record, and is expected to increase through 2010. The new report is issued to coincide with the launch of the UN International Youth Year on 12 August 2010. The report says that of some 620 million economically active youth aged 15 to 24 years, 81 million were unemployed at the end of 2009 -- the highest number ever. This is 7.8 million more than the global number in 2007. The youth unemployment rate increased from 11.9 percent in 2007 to 13.0 percent in 2009. Read more...

40 per cent rise in long-term youth unemployment

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released data that shows that the amount of long term unemployed young people has risen by more than 40 per cent.

Youth unemployment increasing in two thirds of local authorities across UK

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) have published statistics which show that though employment on the whole is up, certain areas are being hit hardest in terms of youth unemployment.

Pathfinders for the mutuals intiative

As part of the Government's commitment to support the innovation and entrepreneurialism of front line staff, twelve fledgling public service spin-offs have been chosen to be Pathfinders for the mutuals initiative. These pathfinders will be trailblazers for the rest of the public sector - helping Government establish, by learning from the front line, what type of support and structures will best enable the development of employee-led mutuals on an ongoing basis.

Child protection database switched off

The government has switched off ContactPoint which was a £235m government database containing the records of England's 11 million children and young people.

Government terminology change

The government has released a document detailing the pre and post May 2011 terminology.

Key changes to phrases in the children and young people's sector include the replacement of safeguarding with child protection, children's trusts with "local areas, better, fairer, services'" and using the term "help children achieve more" in place of Every Child Matters. Some are concerned that the move from ‘Every Child Matters' means a change in policy but the government are keen to allay these fears.

http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/social-care/1021116/Government-clarifies-ban-Every-Child-Matters/

Home Secretary commits to ending violence against women

Theresa May told an audience at the annual Women’s Aid conference, in her first speech on this issue, that violence against women would be a priority for the government and committed to:

All-Party group on youth affairs appoints co-chairs

Labour MP and former head of public affairs at the Scout Association Stella Creasy has been appointed co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs, along with Tory MP Stewart Jackson.

NCVO guidance on coping with cuts

NCVO provides information, guidance and tool kits to organisations to help organisations remain sustainable and resilient in the current economic climate. Read more...

VIEWS ON HYNDBURN PHARMACY SERVICES WANTED – PHARMACEUTICAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT (PNA)

NHS East Lancashire is keen to get as much information as possible from people who use local pharmacy servicesThis is because the Health Act 2009 requires Primary Care Trusts to review all aspects of pharmaceutical services provided in local communities. This is called a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).

Social Enterprise Coalition Report on stimulating new markets

The Social Enterprise Coalition has published Stimulating New Markets: Commissioning social enterprises. The report looks at ways of using the power of commissioning to stimulate the social enterprise sector and new social enterprise models of delivery.

SMOKE FREE NORTH WEST - NEW RESOURCES

Charlotte Lunt, Youth Advocacy Manager of Smokefree North West is aiming to identify a number of youth groups who would be willing to be part of our pilot project for our new resource pack.

The cycle of unemployment - a Prince's Trust Report

The Princes Trust have published a report Destined for the dole? Breaking the cycle of worklessness in the UK from a survey of 2,000 young people from jobless households.

Ofsted Reports on Secure Accommodation and Early Intervention

Young People and Secure Accommodation

Ofsted have published a new report Admission and discharge from secure accommodation calling for the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to place young people in secure accommodation closer to their families.

NCVYS - Information for training providers

We are pleased to inform you that Lifelong Learning UK has produced a useful factsheet outlining the new QCF qualifications for assessors and verifiers, which will be available from the 1st September.

IN DEFENCE OF YOUTH WORK CAMPAIGN

"Youth work under the ConDems"

A day for youth workers and youth work managers to reflect on the implications for their work of the new political settlement

10.30 for 11.00 to 4.30: Tuesday 14 September 2010 at Manchester Metropolitan University, Didsbury Campus

Purpose

The day is for those involved in the IDYW Campaign to reflect together on the prospects for youth work under the new coalition government.

&n

New FAQ from NCVYS - Qualifications in Working with Vulnerable Young people

NCVYS is pleased to advise that in conjunction with ABC Awards and the Open University, that we have produced a FAQ for training providers outlining the QCF qualifications at levels 3 & 4 connected to working with vulnerable young people. It can be downloaded from our website

Skills Funding Agency: changes to the provider registration process

In order to simplify the existing procurement arrangements the Skills Funding Agency is introducing an Approved College and Training Organisation Register (ACTOR) to replace the current Qualified Provider Framework (QPF).

Public service commissioners welcome collaboration and merger between civil society support providers

Recent research by Capacitybuilders shows the majority of public service commissioners would like to see greater collaboration and merger between organisations that provide support and advice to civil society groups. The findings of the report show that commissioners think m

Places Matter! Customer Survey

For 2010/11 Places Matter! is keen to ensure that their services continue to meet the needs of built environment professionals in the Northwest. They would like to invite you to complete a short online survey. Your feedback is valuable and will help them to continue to deliver a responsive and constructive programme of activities in the future. The online survey should take no more than fifteen minutes to complete.

Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?

The Equality Act brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality.

Funding for projects affecting children and young people to be slashed

The government has announced cuts of at least £169.5m to capital funding for a range of projects affecting children and young people, including money for youth facilities, new playgrounds and improved social work IT systems.

Grassroots Grants for 3rd Sector Groups

2010-11 is the third and final year of Government funding for the Grassroots Grants programme. Projects must be completed and money spent by 31 March 2011.

Young Researcher Grant

NYA as part of the Young Researcher Network (YRN) are calling for applications for their research grant programme for 2010/11.

The grant programme is designed to enable organisations working with young people to complete a short research project, funded and supported by the YRN. There are two strands of research grants available this year, and up to eight awards will be made.

Future Jobs Fund legacy

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics have shown that The Future Jobs Fund benefited more than 40,000 young people who were able to enter employment and training.

Cuts and Campaigning

Connexions Cuts
Connexions in Cheshire and Warrington is facing cuts of more than £1.7 million, they are having to make 75 people redundant and reduce the wages of remaining staff by 10 per cent.

Help from NCVYS to access funding from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA)

We have picked up from some of our regional contacts that training providers in the sector are finding it difficult accessing the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA).

Smart with Money - Are you making the funds you raise?

Gift Aid

Charities are currently missing out on over £700 million each year in Gift Aid income alone. Claim your share of the missing millions through tax-effective fundraising techniques.

Peter Cruddas Foundation

The Foundation gives priority to programmes designed to help disadvantaged young people to pursue their education (including vocational) and more generally develop their potential whether through sport or recreation, voluntary programmes or otherwise. Preference will be given to the support of projects undertaken by charitable organisations for the benefit of such people, but consideration will also be given in appropriate circumstances to applications for individual support.

Drinkaware Grants Scheme

The Drinkaware grants scheme aims to change the UK’s drinking culture for the better. We work to positively influence public behaviour and find innovative ways to raise awareness about the effects of alcohol, to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.

http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/grants

Cash 4 Clubs

Any sports club that is registered with its sports' National Governing body or local authority can apply. We do not restrict entries to certain sports or certain activities.

Northern Green Networks Funding

The Northern Green Networks scheme has been developed to provide local people with the resources to turn good ideas into action – to help them make changes to improve their local environment and quality of life.

Help the Homeless Small Grants

Help The Homeless's main funding remit is the regular allocation of Small Grants (generally up to £3000) for capital costs to small and medium-sized charities only (those with a turnover of up to £1m per annum).

Foyle's Foundation Small Grants Scheme

Foyle’s foundation Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities in the UK, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities. Please note they are not able to support individuals.

One Peace One Goal Football Tournament

Hyndburn Inter Faith Forum are hosting a One Peace One Goal Football Tournament on 21st September 2010 and would like to invite all 16-19 year olds to come along and take part.

Events similar to this will be taking place across the world to signify the United Nations International Day of Peace. This is your chance to be involved and show you support non-violence in our homes, communities and schools.

Fundraising on a shoestring course Bolton 5th October 2010

This course will help many charities feeling the pinch in these difficult economic times. Costing just £59 plus VAT, this half day course takes place at The Friends Meeting House, Silverwell Street, Central Bolton from 1.30-4.30pm on 5th October.

Lancaster District Funding Fair

Thursday 14th October 2010, 10am – 3pm, Hornby Village Institute, Hornby, Lancaster

This event will provide local voluntary and community groups with the opportunity to meet with local, regional and national funders to discuss your funding needs, with presentations from:

Lancashire Environmental Fund, Andy Rowett
Awards for All, Jane Attfield
Co-op Community Fund, Stefan Kluteur

Meet the funders, 10am—3pm. An invaluable opportunity to engage in pre-booked one-to-one discussions with funders to discuss potential projects, including:

Francis C Scott
The Galbraith Trust
Community Grants
Duchy of Lancaster
Green Partnership Award
Small Sparks
Groundwork, Foundation Climate Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
Lancashire Young People’s Service
The Nat Merriman Trust
Children in Need
Grantfinder

Price: £5.00 per delegate. Includes lunch. For bookings and further details please contact hannahbland@lancastercvs.org.uk, tel (01524) 555900 ex 26

ENVOY Regional Events

Calling all young people from across England!!

Do you want to influence change in your local area? Would you like to meet others who want to do the same?

Join other young people to share and discuss your views on the current issues that affect young people in your local area at these FREE NCVYS events!!

Together you can have a greater impact!

Core funding and free training for health charities - 2011 IMPACT Awards

GlaxoSmithKline’s IMPACT Awards are designed to reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health. Organisations must be at least three year’s old, working in a health-related field in the UK with income between £10,000 and £1.5 million.

Family Workforce Information Event - an opportunity to promote your organisation

In partnership with the LCC Integrated Workforce project the Network is holding a Family Workforce Information event at the Salvation Army, Preston, (all day) on 7^th October 2010, which is open to all voluntary and community groups working with children, young people and families.

Now It's Personal Conference - Report on the Personalisation Agenda

A conference report and presentations from an event held by Barnardo's on the Personalisation agenda. Some of the questions and fears raised are particularly pertinent in the funding environment we now seem to be moving into.

New Courses at Lancashire Learning Consortium - Sep 2010 to Jan 2011

The following courses, starting from September 2010 through to January 2011, are now available for booking...

Networking, Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations (starts September & December)
Managing People (starts September & January)
Strategic Business & Financial Planning (starts September & January)
Voluntary Sector Governance (starts October & January)
PG Cert: Voluntary Sector Management (various possible starts from September through to January)

For further details and booking please visit the following link: Learning Consortium Courses

Please note: due to the significant number of people who have already started the programme, places on all of the above courses are now limited.

Big Society Lancashire Event

'Big Society’ has huge implications on the Third Sector, but what are they? When will they be taking effect? And what can we do to prepare?

Join the discussion:
Wednesday 22 September 2010
9:30 - 4:30

Park Hall Hotel, Chorley, PR7 5PL

CYPL News - July 2010

Preston forum report

Preston's district forum for groups working with children and young people has produced its annual report. The Preston forum is one of 12 district based forums, supported by Young Lancashire, for local groups to engage in decision making processes about the work and funding for children and young people's services in their district. For more details...

Preston summer football tournament

Fishwick Millan Football Club, based in Samuel Street, Preston, are organising a summer football tournament to be held at St. Theresa's Astro, in Preston. For any further information regarding this event please contact Abdul Khan 07525 921053. Deadline date for team entry is 24 July.

Youth Action's Summer Programme

As part of their summer programme, Youth Action is running a Summer Group for 10-13 year olds, this is a fun filled opportunity with a range of experiences and sports. Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a fun action packed residential! For details...

Local safegaurding board key messages

Key messages from the Blackburn with Darwen's local safeguarding children board (LSCB) recent meeting in July are available. For more details...

Get your voice heard through on-line consultations

Take part in these three on-line consultations carried out out by the National Youth Agency, Lifelong Learning UK and Skills - Third Sector and make sure you and your organisation are represented on the issue that matter to you..

Could you be a champion for change?

Getting fit for the future is something that faces all grassroots groups working across the voluntary, community and faith sector.

Council cuts

Councils across the country are announcing cuts to children and young people's services, as well as cuts to the voluntary sector. In Blackpool the Council has issued redundancy notices to more than one-third of its youth service team as part of plans to restructure in the wake of government cuts to local authority grants. Areas affected by the £1.3m cuts include all Connexions staff, teenage pregnancy, positive activities and targeted youth support. In Lancashire, whilst details are yet to be published, the Council has received notification of £6.2 million of reductions across its Area Based Grant funding streams for this year, and...

Big Society Bank

Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society has said the Big Society Bank , expected to be open by April 2011, will be a wholesaler which will work through and support organisations that are already providing finance to the voluntary sector.

VBS arrangements during the review

The Criminal Records Bureau has published a briefing, Guidance on Safeguarding arrangements during the Scheme review period. Whilst final requirements on individuals to register with the Scheme will depend on the outcome of the review, it is important to note that the requirements introduced by the first phase of the Vetting and Barring Scheme in October 2009 will remain in place. In addition the Criminal Records Bureau has published guidance on the application process.

Overhaul of local authority youth provision

Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families has spoken to delegates at the Association of Directors of Children's Services' annual conference about youth provision. As reported by Children & Young People Now, Loughton said "I don't think the monopoly that local authorities have over the delivery and commissioning of youth services is necessarily the way to go."

Big society committee

A spokesman for the Office for Civil Society has said that ministers from departments whose remits affect the voluntary sector will meet later this month at the inaugural meeting of the new big society committee. The committee will be chaired by Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, and will include ministers from the Treasury and Communities and Local Government.

National Service Bill

A Bill to provide a system of national service for young persons; and for connected purposes. More information visit: Parliament UK

Structural Reform Plans

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced new Structural Reform Plans (SRPs) for making departments accountable for the implementation of the reforms set out in the Coalition agreement. The plans will hand power to the public and every department will publish a plan that sets clear priorities and measureable milestones. A number of departments have published their SRPs so far.

Payment by results

Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families has said that the Department for Education is "investigating" ways in which to use payment-by-results to improve cost-effectiveness in children and young people's services. Full story at CYP Now.

Youth Capital Fund cuts

The Department of Education has produced a document regarding the Secretary of State's announcement concerning End Year Flexibility. The document covers how £1 billion in reductions will be made, why this is being done and what programmes are affected. Programmes affected include the Youth Capital Fund, which is being reduced by 50% to give £13m worth of savings. End of Year Flexibility FAQs available to download...

Children's Commissioner Review

Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education has asked General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) John Dunford to conduct an independent review of the office of the children's commissioner for England. The review will seek a broad spectrum of opinions, including the views of children and young people. A call for evidence to support the review. Visit: Children's Commissioner Review. Closing date 4 October 2010.

CWDC funding for voluntary sector to go ahead

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has agreed savings of £15m for 2010-11 with the Department for Education (DfE) and has confirmed a revised remit with a strong emphasis on cost-effective delivery to support front-line services. The savings mostly affect CWDC's communications spend and pilot programmes, which includes the confirmation that the pilot on Youth Professional Status will now not proceed. CWDC has confirmed that the third sector workforce capacity building training project with NCVYS and the YMCA George Williams College will continue.

NCVYS Young Partners Award - Open for nominations!

The NCVYS Young Partners Award 2010 is now open for nominations from all voluntary and community youth organisations and projects. For more details...

Role of local authority in education and children's services

Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education has announced that the Local Government Association (LGA) and the ADCS would be part of a new ministerial group to advise on the role of the local authority in education and children's services. Gove told the LGA's annual conference in Bournemouth he was keen to hear what they had to say about the role of local authorities "as the government's policies on education and children's services develop".

Youth Sector Support Framework Agreements

The Department of Education has announced it will no longer be proceeding with the planned Youth Sector Support Framework Agreements. Since 2008, the Labour government had been developing these plans which attempted to streamline the way in which youth sector programmes were commissioned out. The process involved youth organisations bidding to be included on a list of preferred providers for programmes delivering certain elements of the government's Aiming High for Young People agenda, including supporting hard-to-reach vulnerable groups, empowering young people and youth facilities.

The Voluntary Sector Skills Landscape - what does the future hold?

Skills - Third Sector has published The voluntary sector skills landscape which contains information about the recent policy announcements and spending priorities that affect skills in the voluntary sector.

Challenging cuts

The Empowering the Voluntary Sector (EVS) project, run by NAVCA, Compact Advocacy, based at NCVO, and the Public Law Project, has produced a special edition of its newsletter to provide information about challenging cuts. The newsletter gives information about the processes and remedies, such as Compact, public law and equalities duties, that voluntary organisations and community groups can use when challenging cuts.

Children leaving care

The High Court has ruled that plans for children leaving care must be reviewed by a social worker rather than a personal adviser. The judgment was made at the High Court in relation to a case of an 18-year-old care leaver whose "pathway plan" review was carried out by his personal adviser and not a social worker. Mr Justice Parker said that this was unlawful as personal advisers are employed as an intermediary between social workers and care leavers.

Voluntary sector strategy

Skills - Third Sector is developing a National Skills Strategy to support a skilled workforce for the voluntary sector. There is an online consultation, and there will be regional roundtables and discussions online. For further information...

Youth work charities make a difference

Children Matter East, the East of England's forum for voluntary and community sector organisations that work with children, young people and their families, has published a report, The VCS Contribution to the Delivery of Effective Outcomes for Children, Young People and Their Families in the East and South East Regions of England. It shows that youth work charities are successfully improving outcomes for young people but are hampered by commissioners' excessive demands for data.

Sector base line in ICT provision - survey

The Capacity Builders National ICT Champions projects are undertaking an online survey to establish a base line in ICT provision. Its’ a relatively short survey so won’t take much time and it will provide the sector with some interesting information. Please take the survey today, visit: ICT base line survey.

Small communities solving social problems

The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) has published Mass Localism: A way to help small communities solve big social challenges. The report examines ways in which the government could stimulate and support more local responses to big social problems, at manageable cost to the public purse.

Lost generation?

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has published Avoiding a Lost Generation: Preparing young people for work now and in the future. The report says that the economic recession had had a disproportionate effect on young people getting jobs, and that a whole generation of young people (aged 16-24) risked being 'scarred' by unemployment.

Measuring charity impact

The think tank New Philanthropy Capital and a coalition of children's charities will be launching a new wellbeing index for children that aims to improve charity impact measurement in October. The index is designed to allow charities to measure several aspects of children's wellbeing, such as self-esteem and family relationships, through a short survey.

Tackling anti-social behaviour

The Royal Society of the Arts has published The Woolwich Model: how citizens can tackle antisocial behaviour. The report recommends that residents of high-crime housing estates, youth workers, teachers and housing managers should be trained to tackle anti-social behaviour as part of a "Big Society" drive.

Young people and the recession

Academics David N.F. Bell and David G. Blanchflower have published Young people and recession. A lost generation?. The report reviews the effects of the current recession on youth labour markets. and argues that young people aged 16-24 continue to suffer suffered disproportionately. It argue that there is convincing evidence that the young are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of spells of unemployment well after their initial experience of worklessness

Making local communities better

The David Knightly 'Pride of Place' awards for sustainable community projects aimed at improving the environment and raising awareness. Write to: David Knightly Charitable Trust, c/o Rachel Butterworth, Middlewick House, St Mary Bourne, near Andover, Hants SP11 6AJ, tel: 01264 738268

National Commissioning Framework

The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) has published the National Commissioning Framework and its annexes, which scope out a new system to plan and manage around £10 billion of public funds and sets out in some detail the roles and responsibilities of all the participants in the process.

Blueprint for young people in deprived areas

4Children have published Unlocking the potential of young people in Knowsley. The inquiry into the lives of young people in Knowsley has led a panel of national experts to devise a new blueprint for broadening the aspirations and horizons of young people in deprived areas. Among recommendations in the report is for councils in areas of high social deprivation to recruit a peer mentor to help every young person classified as Neet (not in education, employment or training).

Youth Work new vocational qualifications consultation

The National Youth Agency has issued an update on progress and a second round of consultation on the work it is leading relating to the development of a new youth work sector draft qualification strategy and vocational qualifications. The deadline is the 26 July. Visit: NYA youth work consultation on strategy.

Re-engaging Young People in Education, Employment or Training

The Audit Commission has published Against the Odds: Re-engaging Young People in Education, Employment or Training. The study looks at the financial, personal and social cost of teenagers who are so-called NEET - not in education, employment or training. It has found that the problem may be worse than annual surveys show, but that a new approach can make scarce resources work harder for those at greatest risk.

Improving access to funding

Eric Pickles MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Local Government Association Chair Baroness Eaton announced plans to urge all councils to publish details of all spending over £500 in full and online as part of wider action to bring about a revolution in town hall openness and accountability.

Community grants

The Kerrygold Community Awards recognise and reward community projects in the UK, where groups of individuals have worked together to achieve something in their community. Visit: Kerrygold Community Awards

dirtWorks

dirtWorks is a funding programme supported by Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF) aimed at encouraging 16-25 year olds to volunteer on practical projects that will improve a green space for the benefit of themselves, the environment and others in the local community. Community and environmental groups can apply for awards from £3,000 to £30,000.

Support for youth issues

CHK Charities Limited has financial assistance available to organisations in the UK for general charitable activities. The trusts interests include youth issues.

Grants to small charities

Yapp Charitable Trust make grants to small registered charities to sustain their existing work, with one of its priorities being children and young people aged 5 - 25. Grants are normally for a maximum of £3,000 per year and most of their grants are for more than one year because they give priority to ongoing needs. For details visit: Yapp Charitable Trust.

Co-operative Community Fund

The Co-operative's Community Fund is unique in that it is funded by generous Co-operative members donating some or all of their share of profits, which is then given away in the form of small grants in their local communities. If your community, voluntary or self-help group needs a grant of up between £100 and £2,000.

Lloyds TSB Foundation Funding

Lloyds TSB Foundation for England & Wales is pleased to announce its increased income for 2010 as £25.24m (£20.8m in 2009) and is delighted to confirm that this higher level of funding will be sustained for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The independently run Foundation is keen to hear from registered charities working across Blackburn, Rossendale, Wyre and Fylde who can demonstrate how their work is making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged people, and helping them to play a fuller role in the community.

If you are interested in learning more, please visit the Foundation's website at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk.

Big Lottery Fund to launch £200m fund for community groups

The Big Lottery Fund will launch a new £200m grant fund for neighbourhood-based community groups. The fund, called Big Local, will award grants to voluntary groups in 50 geographical areas that have traditionally not received much money from BIG in recognition. These areas will be announced later this month.

All funding published

For a complete list of all funding opportunities published visit: Young Lancashire - Funding

Solution focused early support plans

Lancashire Workforce Development Team are funding 4 one day accredited courses and 2 one day non accredited courses to deliver solution focused Early Support Plans. For more details...

Quality Standards Development Workshop

This workshop will cover an explanation of what PQASSO is, how it works, and how Young Lancashire can support organisations who wish to work through the framework to achieve the self assessed quality standard. Participating organisations are provided with a free PQASSO handbook and guidance on how to achieve this recognised quality mark.

They Eat Culture - Young Creative

They Eat Culture run playful arts events and quality cultural projects across spaces and places of Lancashire. We programme and manage a 100 seated theatre/performance/cinema space in Preston and provide outreach arts engagement projects across Lancashire.

London 2012 Inspire Programme

Would you like your project to become part of the London 2012 Inspire Programme? The London 2012 Inspire Programme recognises any innovative and non commercial projects, programmes, and events genuinely inspired by the 2012 Games.

Support for those who are marginalised and disadvantaged

The New Insights programme is provided and administered by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It is available to UK projects that tackle the problems caused by the current economic, environmental and social situation for people who are marginalised or disadvantaged. The New Insights fund is designed to insulate vulnerable communities at risk from the current economic climate and public spending reductions, and help them to overcome these obstacles. The application deadline for funding proposals is 12pm on 02 August 2010.

Youth action - summer programme

Young Lancashire member Youth Action has launched a summer programme of activities. Download a copy of the programme below.

Youth Work training

Young Lancashire is running a level 1 introductory course in Youth Work for staff and volunteers this summer. Further details are provided below and to book a place please complete the expresion of interest form attached below.

Who is the training programme for?

For anyone who is 16 years of age or over and is working or volunteering in a youth work setting, within an organisation or group who is currently registered with Young Lancashire.

What is the training programme about?

How to work with young people, how to plan sessions and how to understand the role and contribution that you can make to youth work.

What will be the required commitment?

5 consecutive Wednesdays, 9.30am – 4pm

Attendance – min 80%

What will you be able to do at the end of the training programme?

By the end of the training programme you will: Be able to progress on to a higher level course e.g. Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work.

Where is the training programme taking place?

Young Lancashire, 10 Fishergate Hill, Preston, PR1 8JB

When is the training taking place?

Wednesdays (9.30am- 4.00pm) commencing on 25 August 2010, 1 September, 8 September, 15 September and 22 September.

Youth Work training makes a difference

youth work trainees celebrate achievement of award

In May 2010 eleven Youth Work trainees successfully completed a 10 week accredited entry level course in youth work covering topics such as understanding the keys issues in working with young people, acknowledging how own attitudes and values affect youth work, the framework and curriculum of youth work delivery and what contribution they make to local youth work.

CYPL News - June 2010

Young Lancashire members’ score hat-trick with her Majesty’s prestigious award

Three of Young Lancashire’s Youth Groups from across the county have won The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Described as the MBE for Volunteer Groups, the prestigious national honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. Skelmersdale Action for Youth from Skelmersdale, Fishwick Rangers Youth Development Scheme from Preston and Streetlife from Blackpool, will be...

Catch the wind

Pop along to Morecambe this Sunday (20 June) and catch the wind. This annual family event organised by More Music, and sponsored by Morecambe holiday parks Regent and Ocean Edge, starts at 12noon on Morecambe Promenade, next to The Midland Hotel and in and around The Platform.

Lancashire Uniformed Youth Organisations

An inaugural meeting of uniformed youth groups across Lancashire, which involved the two Scout Counties, three Guide Counties and Boys Brigade, took place in July. This new gathering, representing over 20,000 young people, appointed a representative to be the channel of communication on behalf of uniformed youth organisations across the county, who will participate in the voluntary sector’s Reference Group. The Reference Group, developed and hosted by Young Lancashire, provides the platform for the voluntary youth sector across Lancashire to engage with Lancashire’s Children’s Trust Boards.

New Parenting forum for Wyre and Fylde

Kate Gaskell has been appointed Parent Support Advisor in Wyre and she is looking for new members to join their new Wyre Parent Support & Parenting Forum

Sing Up Twilight Sessions

Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, is designed to place singing at the heart of every schools child's life, with the belief that singing can change lives and build stronger communities. In Lancashire there is a theme every term. The theme for the Summer Term is 'Ways into Literacy with the Voice' and will cover the speaking voice as well as the singing voice plus an exciting Inspiration Day on Friday June 18th.

Health Trainer Vacancy- Morecambe

N Compass are advertising for a Health Trainer based in Morecambe. This post will contribute to tackling inequalities in health through promoting and supporting people to develop healthier behaviors and lifestyles. Please see attached for more details. For an application pack email jobs@ncompass1.org or call admin on 01253 362140

Community Sports Leaders - young people wanted

Youth Action @ Hyndburn are offering opportunities for young people aged 16 – 25, who are interested in achieving a level 2 qualification in sports leadership and coaching. Youth Action @ Hyndburn's recent qualified sports Leaders have gone on to complete level one and two football coaching, a CWA climbing course and one Sports Leader recently got a job with Lancashire County council as a Young People’s Worker. Other opportunities include: Cycle Adventure - a half day cycle adventure for young people ages 14-19. Only 16 places available, and Boxing for Fitness for young people ages 14 plus - every Wednesday 6pm-7pm at Spring Hill Community Centre. Sessions are FREE of charge to young people and carried out by qualified coaches, assisted by Community Sports Leaders. Interested?

Squaring the Circle - phase 2

Last summer DeMontfort University undertook phase 1 of an inquiry into the “challenges and dilemmas facing providers of youth work services as they respond to changing policy initiatives”, called “Squaring the Circle”. They are about to undertake phase 2 and Lancashire has been selected as a participating authority.

Employment Coach

£22,253 pro rata - 24 hours per week. This is a 7 month fixed term contract (reduced hours over a longer period may be considered). Key is looking for a self motivated person to support and coach vulnerable young people, to help them succeed with education training and employment. Closing date 7 July. For details...

VBS halted

The vetting scheme for nine million people working with children and vulnerable adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been halted. Home Secretary Theresa May announced on 15 June that registration, due to begin on 26 July, is to be put on hold. Visit: www.bbc.co.uk for the news story, download a copy of the announcement and visit: CRB information on VBS regarding the CRB's position on this news.

Government's key priorities for the voluntary sector

Francis Maude MP and Nick Hurd MP, have spelled out in an open letter the Government's key priorities for the voluntary sector and its policies in the light of the recent announcement of the Big Society agenda. The letter sets out how the Government want to make it easier to run a charity or voluntary organisation, how they aim to get more resources in to the sector and how they aim to make it easier for charities to work with the state by reforming commissioning and procurement. Download a copy of the letter...

Big Society how it might work?

The government has published details of its plans for creating a 'Big Society' and the Cabinet Office has announced that TeachFirst founder Nat Wei has been appointed as government advisor on the Big Society. Also, Public Agency and Community Empowerment Strategies (PACES) has published The Big Society: How Could it Work? The paper examines the big society idea and the rebalancing of responsibilities and control between government and people. It proposes 22 ways in which Big Society needs to be tweaked in order to achieve its intention of strengthening communities while making services more efficient.

Department for Education savings

The Department for Education has given further information about how it plans to save £670m this year. In a letter to former Children's Secretary Ed Balls, Education Secretary Michael Gove stated that £359m in savings will come from "cutting waste, and stopping and scaling back lower-priority spending". A further £311m will come from reducing area-based grants to local authorities.

Spending Review

George Osborne MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, have announced details of how the next Spending Review (SR) will be conducted. The SR, due to conclude in the autumn, will set spending limits for every Government department for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. The SR framework document said that reducing the public finance deficit would mean approaching the Spending Review in a completely new way.

Local government savings

The Department for Communities and Local Government has set out details of the £1.166bn Local Government contribution to the £6.2bn cross government savings in 2010/11. No individual local authority will face a reduction in their revenue grant of more than 2 per cent. Ring-fences have been removed from a number of local government funding streams, including the £40.8m allocated to the Youth Opportunity Fund and the remaining £75m of capital funding for play.

Children and Families priorities

Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families, who has responsibility for children's social care and young people's services, has given an interview to CYPNow about his priorities. He spoke about Ofsted, Childrens' Trusts and serious case reviews, as well as vetting and barring and youth policies. He stated, "I want to see a far greater role for third sector organisations so I'm working with colleagues in the Cabinet Office because this is key to the Big Society agenda".

Big Society

The think-tank Demos has published Civic Streets: The big society in action. The report examines what the new government's concept of the 'Big Society' meant for struggling communities in need of regeneration. It drew on the experiences of two estates that had engaged in a renewal programme involving residents, the third sector, and business.

Futurebuilders closed for business

Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society, has confirmed that future revenue from the £200m Futurebuilders programme will be used to provide grants to stimulate the creation and development of neighbourhood groups, the stated goal of the government's Big Society concept. "Futurebuilders is effectively closed for business now," he said. Hurd said that Capacitybuilders and v, a strategic partner of the former Office of the Third Sector, were under review.

Capacitybuilders and v 'under review'

Capacitybuilders and v (vinvolved), strategic partners of the former Office of the Third Sector (OTS), are under review. Nick Hurd MP said, “With v we want to be clear what we are funding and what we are getting back,” said Hurd. “v has received a lot of government money over time and it is under no illusion that in the future the funding environment is going to be different.”

Measuring up

YMCA England have launched Life in All Its Fullness: Towards a capabilities framework for measuring young people's development. The report, written in partnership with the independent think-tank Demos, identifies that Britain's 7.4 million 16-25 year olds have been left in the cold because of the previous governments focus on short-term outputs rather than securing better outcomes for this generation.

Children's Plan - alternative view

The think-tank Centre for Policy Studies has published Cutting the Children's Plan: A £5 billion experiment gone astray. The paper argues that the Plan, published by the DCSF in December 2007, is unlikely to achieve its high ambitions, and that most of its programmes are flawed both in concept and in practice.

Human Rights in Our Services and in Our Community

Human Rights in Our Services and in Our Community

A one day Human Rights Conference for the public, voluntary, community and faith sectors.

This conference aims to explore how organisations can ensure that they are adhering to and promoting principles of human rights in all that they do. Please see the attached flyer for further details.

When? Wednesday 14^th July

Where? University of Central Lancashire, Preston

Key note speakers include

Surinder Sharma National Director for Equality and Human Rights, Department of Health

Isabella Sankey Director of Policy, Liberty

What we aim to achieve

Explain the legislation so that you can understand what human rights are, how the law has developed and recognise human rights issues.

Offer advice to the public sector on how to meet human rights obligations and best practice.

Look at what third sector organisations can do to support members whose human rights are violated.

Organised by

Preston & Western Lancashire Racial Equality Council and University of Central Lancashire.

Funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Preston City Council.

Cost (includes refreshments and lunch)

Statutory bodies £50

Voluntary sector Free

For a booking form contact:

Tel: 01772 906422

Email: admin@prestonrec.org.uk

Qualifications in Youth Work FAQ

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Service (NCVYS) has produced an information sheet, Qualifications in youth work FAQ, which sets out to answer the most common questions NCVYS receives about qualifications in youth work, including how to find a youth work training course. It is aimed at individuals interested in working or volunteering in the voluntary and community youth sector.

Latest on NEET

The Department for Education has published statistics on young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and young people Not in Education or Training (NET). The figures show that 927,000 people aged 16 to 24 - 15.3 per cent - were classed as NEETs between the start of January and end of March. This represented a rise of 32,000 - 3.5 per cent - compared with the last quarter of 2009, but a drop of 6,000 compared with the same period in 2009.

Know your stuff

The Children's Legal Centre has launched ‘Lawstuff', a new website with information on the law as it affects children and young people. Visit: www.lawstuff.org.uk

Education and resilience

The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes has produced a summary identifying what works in narrowing the gap in educational achievement and improving emotional resilience for children and young people with additional needs. It is based on a rapid review of recent research literature, involving systematic searching, and an analysis of key data. The review focuses on generic issues to do with service organisation and delivery. Literature on teaching interventions has not been considered.

Whole education

A new partnership has been launched to challenge the idea that there is a gulf between what education systems provide and what children and young people need. The partnership believes that whilst our schools try to ensure that young people are literate, numerate and gain academic qualifications, the emphasis on testing and passing exams often squeezes out other skills that are just as vital in today's world. Visit: www.wholeeducation.org for more information.

HMRC 'Fit and Proper Person' Test

The Finance Act 2010 has introduced a new definition for tax purposes of charities and other organisations entitled to UK charity tax reliefs. The new definition includes a requirement that to be a charity, an organisation must satisfy the 'management condition'. This means its managers must be 'fit and proper persons'. For more details please visit: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation aims to fund the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. Primary interests are in the UK's cultural life, education and learning, the natural environment and enabling disadvantaged people to participate more fully in society. Visit: www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk for details.

Foyle Foundation

The Foyle Foundation provides grant assistance to small UK charities for projects that will make a significant impact on their work. Visit: Foyle Foundation for more details and to apply.

Modern cities

Awards programme provided by electronics giant Philips to recognise and develop practical, achievable ideas to improve the liveability and quality of life of modern cities under the categories of: well-being; maintaining independent living; and healthy lifestyles at work and home. Visit: Modern cities to apply.

Live UnLtd - funding

Last week a new exciting funding scheme was launched for young people. Live UnLtd aims to show that young people are the solutions to the problems faced in their communities through empowering them to run their own community projects. Contact Live UnLtd directly on 07540 413911 or visit the website at: www.liveunltd.com

Community spaces

Community Spaces is a £50m open grants programme to help community groups create or improve green, open spaces to enhance people's quality of life. Grants start at £10,000. Visit Community Spaces for details.

Think Big new funding launched

Think Big encourages young people, aged 13 to 25, tackle the issues that most affect them, their friends, their neighbours or their community. So if you are between these ages or know someone who is – if you want to make a change for the better – take a look at www.o2.co.uk/thinkbig

Four Acre Trust

This trust aims to support registered charities that give children and young people help in making the most of their lives, in particular they prefer to prevent problems occurring rather than trying to cure them. Grants can be for core costs or specific purposes, but applications must clearly show what the need is and how it is to be met. Grants range from £3,000 to £75,000.

Supervision Skills Training- Rochdale

Barnardos Training, Learning & Consultancy Service is offering the opportunity for supervisors & managers from the VCS Engage network of organisations in the region to attend a one day introductory course on Supervision Skills.

The training is on the 20th July 2010 at the CVS Rochdale at 9.30am-4.30pm for more details please see the document attached below with booking form also enclosed.

SHINE week 12-16 July 2010

Shine is a national campaign celebrating every talent young people have to offer in Britain today, culminating in a week long festival of events from July 12th - 16th 2010. Young Lancashire urges you to register your support at www.shineweek.co.uk.

Social Return on Investment!

The workshop is on the 21st July from 9.30am-4.00pm at the Barnardos NW Regional office in Liverpool. For more information and to book on please visit: SROI Booking Form. Please note closing date for applications is the 7th July. Thanks.

Charity Fair 2010- High Quality training for everyone in the Voluntary Sector

Charityfair 2010 - 21 & 22 June, Central London
Charityfair is an excellent opportunity for you to meet 1,000 like-minded charity workers, to discuss opportunities, learn from each other, share experiences and make your charity stronger.

Lancaster CVS Training Events

Please see below a list of upcoming Lancaster CVS training events:

An Introduction to writing small funding bids:

Wednesday 22nd September 2010

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

Venue: Lancaster CVS, Trinity Community Centre

Introduction to Small Funding Bids: Session Two: Costings:

Wednesday 6th October 2010

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

Venue: Lancaster CVS, Trinity Community Centre

An Introduction to Managing Volunteers:

Wednesday 29th September 2010

Duty to Involve: What’s the impact?

Participation Workers NW Annual Conference, Thursday 8 July 2010, 10am to 4pm This year’s conference is looking at ways that the duty to ensure children and young people have their own voice in the design, delivery and evaluation of services is being met. Is this having an impact?

CYPL News - May 2010

Wildlife Trust Youth Volunteer Opportunities

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside are currently offering some great opportunities for young people to get involved in wildlife conservation whilst developing some great skills and having lots of fun.

A new partnership with... Rotary International

Young Lancashire is embarking on an exciting new partnership with the Lancashire and Cumbria District of Rotary International, which incorporates 75 clubs across Lancashire and Cumbria. This partnership will create new opportunities to develop high quality positive outcomes for young people for the Young Lancashire network.

Vetting and Barring Scheme guide

The Children's Trust, in partnership with the Voluntary Community Faith Sector (Third Sector Lancashire) has produced a guide to the new Vetting and Barring Scheme, which is planned to be launched in July. Note: This guide has been temporarily withdrawn subject to changes on the guidance following the election of the new Government.

Squaring the Circle - phase 2

Last summer DeMontfort University undertook phase 1 of an inquiry into the “challenges and dilemmas facing providers of youth work services as they respond to changing policy initiatives”, called “Squaring the Circle”. They are about to undertake phase 2 and Lancashire has been selected as a participating authority.

Short break book

Aiming High for Disabled Children have produced a book that gives details of short breaks available across Lancashire. New activities for children being added to the list, so you are advised to check the web site regularly for updated information.

Young Lancashire membership packs

A new membership pack is available for youth groups who wish to sign up for support from Young Lancashire. To register for a pack to be posted to you, please complete your details online. All those who have previously registered for Membership will be sent a pack in the coming two weeks.

Review of the Lancashire CAF

A report was commissioned by the Directorate for Children and Young People to review the effectiveness and implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process across Lancashire.

Active Participation - job opportunity

A job opportunity has come up at Lancashire County Council for a Strategy Lead - Children & Young People's Participation. Please find attached a job description and person specification and details of the role. Please note the closing date for this post in the 4th June. For more information please contact Heather Edmondson on heather.edmondson@lancashire.gov.uk

Job Vacancy - SLEAP Manager

SLEAP (registered charity 1050738) a youth homeless support charity based in Leyland, Lancashire are inviting applications for a new Manager (Ref: 002). Salary: £23,708 – 27,849 per annum (Dependant upon qualifications and experience) 37.5 hours per week. Funding for this post is guaranteed until 31^st March 2011 with the possibility of further funding.

Children's Trust Manager

Lancashire County Council is advertising the post of Children's Trust Manager; £43427 to £ 46109, closing date: 28 May.

Who's Who?

For the very latest on who has which job in the new Government visit: BBC Politics. Key politicians in the Department for Education: Secretary of State - Michael Gove (Conservative) Born in 1967, the former Times journalist is a key member of David Cameron's inner circle who helps write many of his speeches.

Department for Education

The Department for Education has replaced the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The new website for the Department is: www.education.gov.uk. Education Secretary Michael Gove has sent an introductory letter to his staff, telling workers that the Tory-Lib Dem coalition marks "a new era for our education system".

National Citizen Service

Whilst Liberal Democrat and Conservative youth policy may come under review as part of the coalition arrangement, it's understood that the National Citizen Service will go ahead as it is the flagship youth policy for the conservatives, as part of the drive for 'big society'.

Government funding on hold

The new Department for Education has called a moratorium on the work of all government quangos and arm's length bodies in the children and young people's sector, writes Lauren Higgs (CYPNews 17 May). "In the coming weeks, new ministers will consider how they will take forward their priorities and are not currently considering submissions or accepting advice which has not been requested. During this period, the department and its arm's length bodies should not make any significant announcements, sign new or extended contracts or publish policy or corporate documents without agreement from the new ministers."

Future jobs fund

The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) has published the responses to letters it sent to the work and pensions spokesmen from the three major political parties asking them to clarify their plans for the Future Jobs Fund. The responses show that Labour would extend the Fund until 2012, and the LibDems and Tories would honour existing funding until 2011.

Third sector response to the new government

National bodies supporting the voluntary sector have written to the new Prime Minister outling the challenges the sector faces and opportunites it offers. Visit: NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Services) and ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) for details.

Good news about rain

Rain Tax Exemption Becomes Law. Legislation that will spare thousands of charities, churches and sports clubs from huge water bills was passed in April, after a two-year national campaign led by the Scout Association and churches.

Latest youth unemployment

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released the latest unemployment figures. The number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work has risen by 18,000 to 941,000 over the three-month period between January and March. There are 215,000 young Britons who have been without employment for more than a year.

Coalition for young people

NCVYS (National Council for Voluntary Youth Services) and partners, including UK Youth and Clubs for Young People, are planning events for the party conferences 2010 as part of the Coalition for Young People. Events will take place in September and October this year. If your organisation would like to discuss promotional opportunities associated with the Coalition's activities please contact Faiza Chaudary (faiza@ncvys.org.uk) about potential for involvement or for further information read the manifesto.

Ethics in youth work

Durham University and the Regional Youth Work Unit North East are holding on conference on Tuesday 13th July on ‘Ethical issues in youth work'. The conference offers an opportunity to discuss and debate some of the key ethical issues facing youth workers, the young people they work with and managers and policymakers who oversee work with young people.

Role of sector in work with offenders

The Third Sector Research Centre has published The role of the third sector in work with offenders: the perceptions of criminal justice and third sector stakeholders. The report argues that although the involvement of the third sector in the criminal justice system was promoted in national policy, considerable gaps had been identified.

Work with sexually abused young people

Action for Children has published an evaluation of its Safe and Secure projects that work with sexually abused children and young people. The report looks at the child outcomes-focused evaluation and the qualitative collection of children's views.

CAF research

The National Foundation for Educational Research has published LARC2: integrated children's services and the CAF (Common Assessment Framework) process. The report contains the collective findings of the 24 authorities involved in the LARC2 project, which undertook local research projects in order to explore how the CAF is contributing to the effective integration between targeted and universal services.

Vocational qualifications for youth work

The National Youth Agency (NYA) has issued a Paper on progress on the vocational qualifications for youth work outlining progress to date and planned next steps.

Evidence about National Citizen Service

The University of Strathclyde has published an evaluation of the Conservative's National Citizen Service Scheme, ahead of its launch. It suggests that the service is less beneficial for the most disadvantaged young people, and that there were "varying levels of belief" among participants about how possible it is to make a genuine difference in the community.

Child protection guidance

The Improvement and Development Agency for local government (IDEA) has published Keeping children and young people safe in the community. This shows how Northumberland County Council has sought to address serious concerns in the child protection system, and has responded innovatively to assist young people at risk of harming themselves due to offending, substance misuse, lack of parental support and a range of other issues.

Youth cabinet guide

The Improvement and Development Agency for local government (IDEA) has published Rotherham Youth Cabinet's Code of Good Practice which contains information about the structure, principles and processes of a youth cabinet which represents the views of young people to decision makers. The document is clear that a youth cabinet is a good way of testing out ideas, but that it is only one way of reaching young people in the area.

Protecting children in 'highly resistant' families

The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) has published a knowledge review providing evidence on what works in protecting children living in 'highly resistant' families where they may suffer, or are likely to suffer, significant harm because of ill-treatment or the impairment of health or development due to abuse or neglect.

Steetwise?

LV= (Liverpool Victoria), has published research that has found that 60% of young people aged 15 and under are not allowed to use public transport on their own, 24% are forbidden stay over at a friend’s house. In contrast only 4% of today’s adults say they were banned from sleeping-over when they were 15 or younger, only 2% were forbidden to use public transport. Read the findings here.

CAMHS services

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published statistics on the Effectiveness of child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) services as at December 2009. These concern NI (National Indicator) 51, which measures key aspects of service provision that should be in place locally to effectively meet the needs of children and young people with mental health problems.

Young people and spirituality

NCVYS has produced a guide on ‘How to Help Young People Explore and Develop their Spirituality’. This guide looks at different ways in which projects can work with children and young people to encourage them to develop and grow spiritually, provides case studies to illustrate good practice and offers ideas to develop your existing work so that it is holistic and includes a spiritual dimension.

Social return on investment

New Philanthropy Capital has published a position paper which says that Social return on investment (SROI), which measures an organisation's impact in financial terms, is being held back by poor quality of evidence. It suggests that the charity sector could lose credibility with funders because of the poor quality of its impact measurement.

Wyre Positive Activities for Young People- Funding Opportunity

Lancashire County Council are inviting proposals from organisations that can deliver a range of activities for young people throughout the summer and other holiday periods and on Friday evenings throughout the year. The activities must be aimed at 13-19 year olds primarily and a record provided of all those who attend. The summer holiday programme is to provide a variety of sessions for young people to try and if they like them we may be able to negotiate further delivery. The Friday night activities might be developed to offer provision throughout the yea

Think Big new funding launched

Think Big encourages young people, aged 13 to 25, tackle the issues that most affect them, their friends, their neighbours or their community. So if you are between these ages or know someone who is – if you want to make a change for the better – take a look at www.o2.co.uk/thinkbig

SITA Trust

Young Person’s Volunteering Fund is the name of SITA Trust's funding programme for volunteering projects owned by 14-25 year olds. SITA can support projects in any of 90 funding zones around qualifying waste processing sites operated by our donor, SITA UK. SITA Trust can provide up to £10,000 towards agreed project cost.

Hedley Foundation

This foundation, established in 1971, provides grants for specific projects for young people; their education, recreation, support, training, health and welfare. Last year the Foundation received 1,467 applications, and made 348 grants (averaging £3,000). Visit: Hedley Foundation for more information and to apply.

Child protection funding

The British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN) has launched its Research Award programme for 2010 for organisations who are undertaking or completing small scale research projects on child protection. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2010.

Live UnLtd - funding

Last week a new exciting funding scheme was launched for young people. Live UnLtd aims to show that young people are the solutions to the problems faced in their communities through empowering them to run their own community projects. Contact Live UnLtd directly on 07540 413911 or visit the website at: www.liveunltd.com

The Young Foundation

Working in partnership with Edge, have a Learning Launchpad fund to enable young people, whatever their background, to achieve their potential. Whilst the fund is currently closed to new applications the foundation expects to release information before this summer on the future of this fund. Keep an eye on the Launchpad Blog for the latest information.

The Santander Foundation

This Foundation funds local, regional and national charities for there work within the UK, and is committed to helping disadvantaged people through two charitable priorities. The Foundation brings together the initiatives previously undertaken by Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley savings business. Formerly the Abbey Charitable Trust, the Foundation was set up in 1990 and has given more than £28 million to charities in the UK.

Community futures network event

An information and networking event is being organised by Community Futures, taking place 10am - 3pm Wednesday, 9 June 2010, at Northbridge House, Elm Street Business Park, Burnley BB10 1PD. Workshops include:

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

This Foundation is currently accepting applications under its Education and Learning programme. The Foundation is especially looking to fund projects that develop speaking and listening skills for 11-19 year olds and focus on themes of supplementary education. The costs that can be covered by the Foundation's grants include running costs such as staff salaries and overheads such as stationery, rent, rates and utilities.

Lloyds TSB Foundation

Due to a higher level of income Lloyds TSB are increasing the funds available for the Foundation Community programme. The funding project will run until 2013, the aim of the foundation is to help disadvantaged people play a fuller role in their community. They are particularly focusing on projects which improve community/ social involvement and improve life chances.

Comic Relief

The Sport for Change initiative is seeking applications from community groups and organisations that use sport as part of a wider aim to bring about positive change for individuals and/or their community. The maximum grant available is £100,000 the next deadline is 21 May. For more information visit their website.

Sing Up Twilight Sessions

Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, is designed to place singing at the heart of every schools child's life, with the belief that singing can change lives and build stronger communities. In Lancashire there is a theme every term. The theme for the Summer Term is 'Ways into Literacy with the Voice' and will cover the speaking voice as well as the singing voice plus an exciting Inspiration Day on Friday June 18th.

Inspiring and Involving Young People Training (Back by popular demand)

The Lancashire vinvolved team are again offering third sector and public sector organisations the opportunity to access a free one day training course aimed at developing knowledge and skills to ‘Inspire and Involve’ young people. The training will cover topics including; role of a mentor, maximising body language, understanding the principles of motivation and developing a process to give effective support to young volunteer within your organisation;

Free child protection training

Safe Network is offering free online Child Protection training courses to 3rd Sector groups. The training is provided by NSPCC and EduCare. There are a variety of courses that an individual can take part in from basic awareness upwards. For more information visit their website.

Access to Diplomas

The Rank Foundation, in conjunction with the YMCA George Williams College, is launching two new diploma courses in June 2010. The Rank Foundation are offering 20 free places, to interested volunteers and staff, through this pilot in Lancashire, to these courses: Diploma in Community Learning & Development and a Diploma in Helping, Mentoring and Community Learning. To find out more and enrol visit: The Rank Foundation Diplomas in Lancashire.

One day introductory

Groundwork are offering a one day introductory course for any person who volunteers (from the designated Prime Focus areas of Preston) and who may wish to choose Youth Work and their chosen career. It will highlight the do's and don'ts that surround youth work as well as looking at national legislation and safeguarding.

TV opportunity

NBC Universal is casting 16 to 18 year olds for a BBC show about teenage styles and interests. If you know of anyone who might be interested, pay a visit to: Teen Scenes for further information and to find out how to apply.

Child Protection Training

Synergy Development Training is offering Child protection training to understand the role of the designated worker. The training will take place on Monday 14th June at Neston Community & Youth Centre in Cheshire. There is a fee for the course and costs are shown on the attached information below. To book directly onto the course please follow the link - synergydevelopmenttraining.co.uk/cpotraining0110.aspx

Dude – Where’s My Culture

This event, taking place on 18 June 2010, at Zion Arts Centre, Manchester, from 10am to 4pm and being co-ordinated by the Regional Youth Work Unit, will give young people from across the North West the chance to talk about their culture, what it means to them and let people in the cultural sector know about the sorts of arts and cultural facilities they would like to see in their area.

Minerva launches new workshop

North West based arts education company Minerva Arts would like to inform you of a fantastic new opportunity for youth clubs in your area. Minerva Arts are an interdisciplinary organisation seeking to create opportunities for young people to explore issues using a variety of different art forms.

Commissioning services for children and young people

NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) is holding an event on 24 June 2010 in The Abbey Centre, London entitled ‘Commissioning and the community sector: Challenges, changes and opportunities for children and young people's services'.

CYPL News - April 2010

Shaping Lancashire's youth strategy

The development of Lancashire's first sector wide Youth Strategy is well underway. A dedicated team of representatives from the voluntary, faith and statutory youth agencies, are working together with young people, under the guidance of an independent facilitator to produce a vision statement and guiding principles, which will shape a comprehensive Youth Offer for Lancashire’s young people.

Need a Facebook page?

Virtual Volunteering is where a young person can volunteer from the comfort of their own home. This means that they can still benefit from volunteering but do not have to be physically present at your base to volunteer and get involved. Many organisations are already benefiting from virtual volunteers as young people assist them in designing new marketing material, setting up facebook/twitter pages and proof reading volunteering opportunities.

A chance to Shine!

SHINE is a brand new talent contest for 13 - 19 year olds in Lancashire, where the winning act will get a once in a lifetime chance to perform live at this years Rock in the Park event at Preston's Avenham Park in June this year. SHINE is a being run by the Young People's Service (YPS) and Lancashire radio station Rock FM, to encourage young performers to showcase their talent.

One Children's Workforce Framework and Tool Locality Events

The One Children's Workforce Tool is divided into two parts, the integrated working drill down Questionnaire and the overall workforce questionnaire. Workshops are taking place across the county in May and June and colleagues are given the choice of which questionnaire they would like to participate in, the following table below is provided as a guide.

Independent Custody Visitors

The Police Authority is currently undertaking a recruitment campaign for new Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs), particularly for our Preston and Blackburn-with-Darwen Divisions. The Authority are looking to recruit particularly from the BME communities, though is always on the look out for good Custody Visitors and would very much welcome applications from anyone interested.

Scouts celebrate membership surge

The Scouts is booming with biggest membership surge for 38 years. This includes some impressive figures for West Lancashire Scouts: with the 1st Forton unit growing fourth fastest in the UK (see table below) and West Lancashire Scouts as a whole growing 10th fastest in the UK. This is all down to the hard work of the Scout's staff and volunteers based in Lancashire and for more details of what's on offer visit: West Lancashire Scouts' website

Party manifestos

The Labour Party has published A Future Fair for All, its manifesto for the 2010 general election.
The Conservative Party has published Invitation to Join the Government of Britain, its manifesto for the 2010 general election.
The Liberal Democrat Party has published Building a Fairer Britain its manifesto for the 2010 general election.

Briefing on manifestos

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services has published a briefing summarising the key points in each of the political party manifestos across a range of areas of interest to the voluntary and community youth sector.

Young people focus in leader’s debates

This week’s leader’s debates saw youth education, employment and training receiving focus once again as one of the biggest challenges facing young people today. Visit: Young People’s Education, Employment and Training in Leader’s Debates.

Benefits of Youth Work

The union Unite and sector skills council Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) have joined forces to produce The Benefits of Youth Work document, which explains in simple terms the reasons why youth services are needed and the difference they make to young people's lives.

Aiming High for Young People 3

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published Aiming High for Young People - 3 years on. This document outlines the achievements so far against the three main Aiming High principles: Empowerment; Access and inclusion; Capacity and quality. It also reiterates the case for focusing on the development of social and emotional skills through participation in positive activities. Download a copy: Aiming High For Young People - 3 years on.

The Common Core

The common core offers an essential framework for anyone who works with children and young people. Quite simply, the common core sets out the basic skills and knowledge that underpins how your workforce can improve the lives of children and young people. Following wide consultation with children and young people and those who work with them, the common core has recently been refreshed to meet the needs of today’s workforce. For more details visit: The Children's Workforce Development Council.

Lottery funding after the election

Third Sector magazine has published an article examining the policies of each party relating to the National Lottery.

Quality Standards for Positive Activities

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published Quality Standards for Positive Activities (Draft). These Quality Standards are aimed at commissioners and providers of Positive Activities, including volunteering and community service providers. They are also designed to help young people and their parents/carers understand the quality and breadth of Positive Activities to which they are entitled and to empower them to demand high quality provision.

Consultation on youth work sector qualifications

The National Youth Agency, Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) and appropriate Awarding Bodies are seeking feedback and input from all stakeholders in the sector on the proposed and proposed outline of youth support work competency based qualifications at levels 2 and 3. The consultation runs from 12 April to 3 May 2010. Download a copy of the consultation below.

NCVO Almanac 2010

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has published UK Civil Society Almanac 2010. The report shows that the voluntary sector received £12.8bn from government grants and contracts in 2007/08, compared with £13.1bn from individual donations and membership fees.

Earlier Intervention

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has published Issues in Earlier Intervention: Identifying and supporting children with additional needs. The document presents the outcomes of a review and scoping study that aimed to provide a more in-depth understanding of what is meant by ‘earlier intervention’ (defined as intervening early in the life course of a problem, or with a population at risk of identifying that problem, but not necessarily early in life).

Youth unemployment research

The Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics has published Jobs and Youth Unemployment: "It's bad, but not as bad as you might think." The paper argues that during the recession unemployment has been much lower than would have been expected given past experience. Young people had fared badly during the recession, with larger increases in their unemployment rates than adults: but there was no evidence that they were doing relatively worse than in previous recessions.

Cost of safeguarding to councils

The Association of Directors of Children's Services has released statistics in an attempt to calculate the financial impact of current child protection concerns. The figures reveal that referrals to children's social care teams are up 16.5 per cent nationally. In 72 local authorities, the numbers rose by more than 10 per cent and in 28 councils by more than 50 per cent. For details of all publications please visit: www.adcs.org.uk.

Voluntary sector statistics

A note has been placed in the House of Commons library entitled ‘Voluntary sector statistics' giving a summary of some of the latest data available on the voluntary sector.

Impact study on youth reforms

Youth Access have published Under Strain, which examines the effect of the recession and the impact of youth policy reforms on young people's information, advice, counselling and support services (YIACS). It shows that almost half of young people's counselling, advice and support services experienced cuts in 2009, and more than three-quarters believe the future of their service is "uncertain" or "at risk".

Think Family Briefing

A Think Family briefing note has now been published by the Government, which presents key recommendations around the Think Family agenda. The VCFS are mentioned in here as having a role to play in supporting parents to have better outcomes for their children. The focus of the report is on the role of adult services in councils working in partnership to secure a better approach to services provided to families. Please find attached the full briefing for more detail.

Looked after children draft guidance have your say

A draft consultation has been released by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) on behalf of the Department of Health, which is open for consultation until 14 April, if you have any questions or queries please respond directly to NICE. Full details are included in the attached document.

Children's rights programme

The Children's Rights Alliance for England has launched its 2010 ‘You've got the Right' programme, aimed at empowering children and young people under 18 in England to take action to uphold their rights. The programme, which started in 2008, is being expanded to include free children's rights training and the development of a new national network of lawyers for children's rights.

Disabled children's participation

The National Children's Bureau has published Making Ourselves Heard, a report exploring disabled children's participation. The report sets out the current policy context for disabled children and young people's participation, outlines the barriers and challenges to effective participation and highlights what is working well.

Recession and the voluntary sector

UNISON, the public service union, has published Government Policy, Recession And The Voluntary Sector, which examines the work of the voluntary sector in delivering public services. It argues that employers and workers alike are committed to improving society and delivering quality public services, but that their best efforts are being undermined by a combination of the recession and elements of government policy.

Equality Act briefing

The Young Equals campaign group has produced a summary of the results of its lobbying for the inclusion of children and young people in the age discrimination measures in the Equality Act, which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010.

Support for transition from Learning and Skills Council

The Third Sector National Learning Alliance (TSNLA) has launched a new telephone support service for third sector organisations to help with the transition from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). The number is 01225 792500.

Preston - Grants

Preston City Council is inviting applications for grant-aid from Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector Organisations towards appropriate projects and activities. Applications will be considered for sums up to £10,000 for one year only. Proposals need to contribute directly to at least one of the Council’s Corporate Priorities. For further details please refer to the Council’s website www.preston.gov.uk – Preston City Council Corporate Plan 2008-11. Close of applications is 4.30 pm on Friday 4th June 2010.

Wates Foundation

The Wates Foundation is accepting new applications for its five main programmes for its financial year from 5 April 2010. The five programme areas are: Building Family Values; Community Health; Safer Communities; Sustaining the Environment and Strengthening the Charitable and Voluntary Sectors. Visit: The Wates Foundation website to apply.

Hilton in the Community Foundation

Hilton in the Community Foundation is committed to supporting those most in need to have a brighter future. Focusing on children and young people, the Foundation supports activities in education and health to relieve suffering and equip individuals.

Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund has announced key priorities for a new young people's funding programme during 2010/11. Details of the funding are:

1. The fund will have 3 key areas:

Young Carers
Care Leavers
Young people leaving young offenders institutions

2. There will be around £30 Million available for this programme

Inspiring sustainable living

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has made a £1m scheme available to third sector groups working to help the UK live more sustainably. As a first stage, Defra are only asking third sector organisations to set out their concept, explaining what could be delivered, if they had the funding. The closing date for this first phase is 21 May 2010. To apply visit: DEFRA website.

Sportsmatch

Sport England’s Sportsmatch programme makes awards to not-for-profit organisations running projects at a community level which meet one or both of Sport England’s objectives of Grow or Sustain. Sportsmatch supports formally constituted not-for-profit organisations and statutory bodies. This might include sports clubs, voluntary organisations, local authorities, schools, universities or national governing bodies of sport. To apply visit: Sportsmatch

Heritage funding for young people

Young Roots is a grant programme designed to engage young people aged 13-25 with their heritage. Young Roots projects stem directly from the interest and ideas of young people, who are supported by youth and heritage organisations to develop skills, build confidence, and connect with their local communities. To apply visit: Young Roots.

Creating new opportunities for young people":" 14-19 Reform Briefing Event

“Creating new opportunities for young people: raising awareness of the 14-19 Reform Agenda", will feature input by from: Voluntary organisations; Commissioners and the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA).

The aim of the event is: to provide the voluntary sector with more information about the 14-19 Reforms, curriculum pathways and the raising participation age: including how the sector can support young people through the process and how providers can get involved in 14-19 delivery with access to funding.

Online registration for this free event is now open please click the "Register Now" link below to book your place.

This event is being organised by: Young Lancashire; Lancashire's 14-19 Partnership Team; Lancashire Learning Consortium and the Young People’s Service, and is funded by Lancashire County Council through the Central Gateway Grant, supporting the voluntary youth sector.

NCVO collaborative working and merger seminar for trustees

NCVO's Collaborative Working Team is currently promoting a free morning seminar for trustees and those who work with them. Working in collaboration with other voluntary organisations can make your organisation more effective, efficient and resilient. Trustees have a duty to direct the resources of the charity, which they hold `in trust’, to further its objectives for the benefit of the charities users.

Are they safe?

The Safe Network is hosting a free workshop on safeguarding children and young people on 24 June 2010, at St Thomas Centre Manchester, based on the resource pack Are they Safe? The Are they Safe? pack, is a toolkit full of easy to use materials for community and voluntary groups and organisations. The resource includes a step by step guide, a DVD and other information to help managers, staff and volunteers who provide activities to children and young people feel confident about what they need to do to safeguard children effectively.

Conference for youth

UK Youth Voice's 2010 Conference "It's all about Youth" takes place on 2nd - 4th July at Avon Tyrrell in Hampshire. The conference is delivered by young people, for young people aged 16 - 25. More details visit: It's all about Youth

Children's Care Event - 3rd June 2010

NHS NW are organising a Good Practice event around unwell and injured children. The focus of the event is prevention of injury and illness and education of parents about what to do with the sick or injured child. If you are interested in attending the event or being an exhibitor, please contact Gill Kennedy on either gill.kennedy@alderhey.nhs.uk or 0151 252 5103.

Diploma courses

The Rank Foundation are offering a number of free places* on two new diploma courses, in conjunction with the YMCA George Williams College. Diploma in Community Learning & Development, a new, flexible course designed for people who want to learn more about improving community life. This course will equip you with the tools, skills and training to increase the impact and effect of community based programmes.

You & Your Community - Network & Training Day

West Lancashire CVS & Fusion Youth & Community are working in partnership to provide a day of training & networking for West Lancashire faith & community groups. There will be a Keynote address from Fusion's UK director, Dan Evenhuis as well as workshops throughout the day.

National Enterprise Academy

The National Enterprise Academy in Manchester has two Open Days coming up in May and June. These may be of interest to some of the young people that you work with. Dragons' Den entrepreneur Peter Jones CBE founded the NEA because he is passionate about improving the entrepreneurial capabilities and mind set of the UK population. The NEA in Manchester opened its doors in September 2009, offering unique courses in BTEC level 2 and level 3 Diplomas in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Students attend the NEA either after their GCSE's or take a gap year after their A levels The NEA is unique in that it benefits from engaging a number of leading entrepreneurs and business people in delivery of its courses.

Training Courses from NCBI

The National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Lancashire is running three training workshops in Lancaster during May and June for people interested in learning more about: Diversity, Body Image and Conflict Resolution.

‘Inspire and Involve’ young people

Lancashire vinvolved team are again offering third sector and public organisations the opportunity to access a free one day training course aimed at developing knowledge and skills to ‘Inspire and Involve’ young people.

CYPL News - March 2010

Your Money Your Say

Lancashire Youth Bank decided to give away free activities so that more young people would hear about the £1.2 million pounds they will be giving out in 2010-11. You can choose what you would like to do, but it's first, come first served so be quick! Don't forget this is just for starters, it's easy to apply for your own activity projects, just download an application form from our website and get going! Register here: Free Ticket Giveaway

Recruiting Now!

Lancashire vinvolved is recruiting for their Youth Action team 2010. The Youth Action Team (YAT) is a group of young people who promote volunteering and champion youth led action in Lancashire. Vinvolved are looking for 20 young people aged 16-25 for the new team that will meet regularly. Please inform the young people you work with or know about this opportunity, more details follow...

Step TWO

An exciting initiative tackling how the sector bids for funding on behalf of Children and Young People’s services. Step TWO (Towards Working as One) on 25 March 2010 follows The ONE held in January where over forty organisations signed up to working collaboratively. For more information about this event visit: Step TWO.

Registration is now open, simply click here

Guild Take Off - community call out

Preston Guild 2012, have launched the "Guild Take Off" programme which is a call for projects from creative partners, producers, artists and individuals based locally, nationally and regionally for projects that will feed into the Guild year in 2012. The Guild are asking community groups to register an interest in being involved with a Guild Take Off project and to provide an opportunity to highlight any projects that the community are working on or wanting to work on.

The value of volunteering - a case study

I am Dez and have recently been volunteering at INTACT to gain experience of working with young people and the community in general. Before starting my time as a volunteer, I was at a real crossroad in my life; I was 24yrs, out of work, a single father of a beautiful daughter and unsure about which direction I wanted to go in. All I knew was that I had a real passion for sports and working with young people.

Creating new opportunities for young people: 14-19 Briefing Event

A briefing event is being organised for the voluntary sector to learn more about the "14-19 Reforms" which will change the face of learning for young people over the coming years. The event, being opened by Professor Richard Pring, (Oxford University) Lead Director of the “Nuffield Review of 14-19 Education and Training”, is taking place on Thursday 13 May, in Lancashire, please make a note in your diary now. “Creating new opportunities for young people: raising awareness of the 14-19 Agenda", will feature input by from: Voluntary organisations; Commissioners; the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) and is expected to attract an audience of 100 delegates from across the Youth Sector.

Early Intervention Strategic Lead

A secondment opportunity for the position of Early Intervention Strategic Lead is being advertised on the Lancashire County Council Vacancies List. This is a secondment opportunity for an individual at a senior strategic leadership level. Salary will be reimbursed to the home organisation to match the salary of the successful candidate.

Opportunity knocks

The Young People’s Service together with a wide range of voluntary youth organisations, networks, and statutory partners across Lancashire is holding two discussion and workshop events to design and implement a Lancashire Youth Strategy. Young people are also being invited to participate in these workshops, which will take place on 24 April and 19 June, with the aim of having the first comprehensive youth strategy for Lancashire in place by the summer.

Have your say about local services in Lancashire

If you work for a third sector organisation OFSTED would like your views about the quality of services in Lancashire and the support you and your colleagues have in delivering them. The survey, being conducted by Ipsos MORI will also enable you to tell OFSTED how effective safeguarding arrangements are in Lancashire. Survey period 8 March - 2 April 2010. What is the purpose of the survey? The survey is designed to ensure that: the perspectives of the third sector are clearly fed into inspection and evaluation. To complete the survey visit: Ipsos-Mori Ofsted Third Sector Survey

Voluntary Sector in the North West: Early Day Motion

Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM - effectively a kind of petition which MPs sign to demonstrate their commitment to a cause or subject). EDM 1011 states an unequivocal support for the Third Sector in the North West in addition to calling for the government and local authorities to provide any additional support for voluntary organisations to meet the demand for their services.

Teenage Parenthood: What's the problem?

Howard Willamson writes, in Children and Young People Now, 23 Feb, about a new book illustrating the positive side to teenage pregnancy. Williamson states "Various pieces of academic research have pointed to the resilience of teenage mothers, doing their best to cope in circumstances of poverty and social disadvantage. Those studies portray young mothers in a rather different light from the perspectives that generally prevail. Now there is a book proclaiming that teenage pregnancy can even be a positive force, improving the lives of both the mothers and their children." Teenage Parenthood: What's the problem? by, Claire Alexander, Simon Duncan and Rosalind Edwards, is printed by The Tufnell Press, presents recent quantitative and qualitative research on teenage motherhood and fatherhood, in an accessible manner.

Youth service funding

Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships has suggested that he will consider putting youth services on a statutory footing to stop cash-strapped councils from cutting provision. Speaking at CYP Now's Generation Neet (not in employment, education or training) event, Iain Wright told delegates that he is preparing a revised "three years on" version of Aiming High for Young People at the request of the Prime Minister.

Children’s rights

Ofsted has published a report from the Children’s Rights Director for England, Roger Morgan: Children on rights and responsibilities. The report gives a direct account of children’s views on their rights and responsibilities, and finds that protection from abuse, a right to an education and to be helped to keep alive and well are just some of the most important rights that children want all young people to have. Along with having rights children have also expressed the view that this comes with responsibilities.

Positive impact of youth work

The impact of youth work is recognised in a review of the Sexualisation of Young People commissioned by Home Office Violent Crime Unit as part of the ‘Together we can end violence against women’ campaign. For more information...

Information revolution for Third Sector

The Directory of Social Change (DSC) and GuideStar International (GSI) have announced that ownership of www.guidestar.org.uk, the free public website, and GuideStar Data Services, a community interest company providing bespoke information, has been transferred from GSI to DSC. This combines the most detailed repository of information about charities and the voluntary sector with the largest publisher of information for those who work in it.

Frontline First

The Department of Communities and Local Government has published Putting the Frontline First: Meeting the Local Government Challenge, a report setting out ten steps that councils should act on to protect vital frontline services in an era of tighter public finances.

Impact of FIPs

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published a report show into Family Intervention Projects. The report shows that they have an 'overwhelmingly positive' impact on families involved in anti-social behaviour. For more information...

Act local think global

The DEA has published a report examining the impact of global learning, The impact of global learning on public attitudes and behaviours towards international development and sustainability. The report argues that global learning can change public attitudes and behaviours relating to international development and sustainability and that investment in education programmes in the UK that focus on global issues can catalyse the public into taking action on these issues.

Future Families

The future of what families has been laid out in the Supporting Families Green Paper 'Support for All: Families and Relationships' Green Paper'. We are now being invited to comment on key proposals which include enhanced parenting support packages, commissioning of children and young people services and signs that further Sexual Relationship guidance is on its way.

Young Offenders - trial and error?

New Philanthropy Capital's latest report, Trial and error, explores the issue of youth offending and highlights some of the innovative and promising ways that charities are helping young people to stay out of trouble. The report, aimed at charities and funders, examines strengths and weaknesses within the youth justice sector, outlines the role government plays, and highlights areas where investment could create greatest impact.

Commissioning support

‘Commissioning’ is a word that is increasingly heard by those who work with children, young people and their families. Kindle, a community sector partnership for children and young people groups, has produced a publication, specifically written for community organisations to help them understand commissioning and seize the opportunities that this process affords.

Case for early intervention

Action for Children has published a report into deprivation, Deprivation and Risk: the case for early intervention. The report says the debate on how to lift families out of deprivation has been too simplistic, concentrating on income alone when the most vulnerable families experience complex deprivation made up of a range of severe needs and difficulties.

Stay safe survey

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published Staying Safe Survey 2009: Young people and parents' attitudes around accidents, bullying and safety. This research measures and tracks parents’ and children’s awareness, attitudes and reported behaviour across the various safety issues covered within the Staying Safe Action Plan and the Byron Review.

Study support in rural areas

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has announced investment into increased transport funding to the most rural areas in England to help young people study the Diploma. The funding is part of a £90 million package to be handed to local authorities in England to help them prepare to deliver the Government's historic 14-19 reforms ahead of the 2010/11 academic year.

Play works

Play England has published a report, commissioned from DEMOS, into play the impact of play. People Make Play: The impact of staffed play provision on children, families and communities shows how staffed play services, often run by the voluntary sector, are an increasingly vital element in the multi-agency approach to improving outcomes for children, families and communities and are also thought to be more cost-effective than established statutory services.

Think Big! New Funding

Mobile phone giant O2 has launched a £5m programme offering cash-in-hand grants for young people to make a difference in their local communities. The programme, Think Big, which is being delivered in partnership with the NYA and UK Youth, will enable 13-25 year olds to apply for a £300 grant to fund projects aimed at addressing local issues identified by the young people themselves.

Grants for Growth 2

Grants of up to £6,000 are available to community and voluntary groups to develop projects which enable people to access training and gain skills to help them to get a job.

Funding for infrastructure

Cracking the Code is a bursary scheme for infrastructure organisations to improve their governance. Up to £500 is available for small (annual income of less than £500,000) infrastructure organisations to improve their governance.

Cash 4 Clubs

Sports club that are registered with their sport’s National Governing Body or local authority can apply for grants of up to £1,000 through the Cash 4 Clubs grants scheme. Cash 4 Clubs is a sports funding scheme which gives clubs a unique chance to apply for grants to improve facilities, purchase new equipment, gain coaching qualifications, and generally invest in the sustainability of their club. In 2008 over £30,000 was given out in grants to 30 community sports clubs across the UK. There are three tiers of grants at £250, £500 and £1,000.

Vulnerable groups funding

The Woodward Charitable Trust awards grant funding to organisations in the UK working with social and ethnic minority groups, prisoners and ex-offenders, homelessness, people experiencing abuse and addiction. Small grants of between £100 and £5,000 and large grants of over £5,000 are available to UK registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £250,000. The deadline for receipt of applications to be considered at the Trust's July 2010 meeting is 24th May 2010.

Co-operative Community Fund

The Co-operative's Community Fund is unique in that it is funded by generous Co-operative members donating some or all of their share of profits, which is then given away in the form of small grants in their local communities. If your community, voluntary or self-help group needs a grant of up between £100 and £2,000.

Fair Train

A network called Fair Train has been established to help provide funding for apprenticeships in charities, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations. Organisations interested in running apprenticeships are encouraged to register before the end of March to be one of 5,000 organisations to receive a £2,500 grant from the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service, to pay the wages of a young person aged 16 or 17 years taken on as an apprentice and offered on-the-job training.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation announces new funding

The Lloyds TSB Foundation funds local, regional and national charities working to tackle disadvantage across England and Wales. There focus is on supporting small and medium underfunded charities that can make a significant difference to the lives of disadvantaged people by helping them to play a fuller role in the community. To apply...

Step TWO

The TWO event is part of the capacity building project piloted by Young Lancashire on behalf of the Children and Young People’s Participation Network.

Become part of the Third Sector Lancashire team set to experience an exciting initiative looking at how the sector bids for funding on behalf of Children and Young People.

To Find out more and Register Online please visit the link below.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

MORE INFORMATION

or contact the event organiser: Rebecca Steel

Free Management Development (FPM)

Following the highly successful first round of this national management development programme for staff and volunteers working with young people, FPM have released a new allocation of places to Lancashire. Over 30 workers from the voluntary sector across Lancashire have already completed this programme, together with over 70 staff from the local authority. All have reported real benefits of working together and the course has received a 96% satisfaction rating across the country.

Safe Space: Lancashire

Young People's event 24 March: "Challenging the stereotypes and prejudices created by terrorism and violent extremism". This event will provide a great opportunity for young people to find out more about current racial and religious stereotypes. Including how these are created and their impact and connections with Terrorism and Violent Extremism. Young people will be able to hear the perspective of a variety of guest speakers on these issues and take part in a “question time” style debate with the speakers.

Self-Harm Awareness Training

This course is being delivered by NCompass as part of the Butterfly and Phoenix Project. The course objectives are; Increased knowledge & understanding of self-harm; Increased confidence & skills when working with & responding to people who self-harm and Increased knowledge of services that support young people who self-harm.

Train the Trainers Community Food Growing

Lancashire Wildlife Trust in partnership with NHS Central Lancashire are running free training in grow your own vegetables in March to get individuals and groups skilled up before the start of the growing season. Training co-ordinator Jenny Hall, from the Wildlife Trust said "we want to get new people into growing their own vegetables. It might be a simple as planting a few seed potatoes in a container at the beginning of April. We want to get local people interested in growing their own food as it has lots of benefits for healthy lifestyles and lowering your carbon footprint." The Wildlife Trust also run a community allotment from Deepdale and so there is the opportunity for first hand experience of vegetable and fruit growing. Training will be happening in...

Controversial issues

'Dealing With Controversial Issues' Have you ever been unsure of how to respond to sensitive questions or discuss controversial issues with children or young people? Are you aware that these issues need addressing but don't feel confident in facilitating deeper conversations? If so, Lancashire Global Education Centre have just the course for you. This one-day training course aimed at primary and secondary teachers will:

1000 Smiles for Nepal

If you would like to support Gary Fleming on his 1000 mile cycle ride to Africa to raise funds for Lancashire based Resolve International you may donate online.

Leadership Development (FPM)

Calling all leaders! Leadership Development Programme (LDP) 2nd Phase launched. This LDP programme is designed to develop leaders of the future. It is aimed at managers in third sector organisations and local authority services for young people who are ready to take the next step up in to formal positions of leadership. The programme aims to build capacity in the sector. It is therefore less relevant to managers who are in the later stages of their careers or those that have already completed leadership development programmes.

Free event for young people

A free festival for young people takes place at Salt Ayre Sports Centre, Lancaster on 27 March from 10am to 4pm. Free activities include: Arts & Crafts; Street Dance; Skate Park; Karate; Cycling; Climbing Wall; Trampolines and lots more including a massive outdoor music stage. For more information visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/yps

Girls' Work Conference and Launch Event 16 April

'Every Body’s Business’ a conference for women youth workers and young women on Friday 16 April at County Hall Preston. There is a charge for workers but places for young women are free. The event includes a showcase of resources created by young women from around the North West through the Feminist Webs Project.

CYPL News - February 2010

Looking for a volunteer?

Can you offer a full-time volunteering opportunity to a young person? With an increase in youth unemployment, more young people are looking for fulfilling ways to ensure they continue to develop their skills and knowledge whilst looking for employment. Young people can bring enthusiasm, skills, and a fresh approach to your organisation, so why not take advantage and offer a full-time opportunity to a young person?

Lancashire Youth Strategy

Following a series of meetings with District leads for Leisure and Sport, representatives from the voluntary sector and Council staff; the ECM Positive Contribution Theme Board gave the go ahead for the development of an inclusive Lancashire Youth Strategy, at its meeting in January.

IAG Apprenticeship Programme

The IAG Apprentice Programme is a scheme that CXL are running, in partnership with Lancashire County Council’s Adult Learning Service. IAG stands for Information Advice and Guidance and means that the apprentice roles available will all be linked to IAG jobs, such as careers advisers, benefit advisers, social workers, face-to-face customer service roles and telephone advice roles. The IAG apprentice roles will all be within Public, Voluntary or Third Sector organisations.

Guidance for VBS on the cards

Kevin Curley, chief executive of NAVCA, has written to third sector minister Angela Smith setting out his fears that the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) will deter people from volunteering and will be expensive and time-consuming for small voluntary and community groups. Given these fears, local infrastructure organisations, in Lancashire are working with the Lancashire Children's Trust Partnership Board to develop a set of clear guidance notes about the VBS; what it means for those working with young people and vulnerable adults and what it means their employers be they voluntary groups or public bodies.

GONW Secondment opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a 12month secondment to Government Office North West (GONW) working on the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda. The post would suit a Policy Officer/Senior Policy Officer. Attached is an explanation letter together with the job description. Closing date for applications, which should be sent to John Dunstan at GONW, is the 26th February 2010.

Have your say about local services in Lancashire

If you work for a third sector organisation OFSTED would like your views about the quality of services in Lancashire and the support you and your colleagues have in delivering them. The survey, being conducted by Ipsos MORI will also enable you to tell OFSTED how effective safeguarding arrangements are in Lancashire. Survey period 8 March - 2 April 2010. What is the purpose of the survey? The survey is designed to ensure that: the perspectives of the third sector are clearly fed into inspection and evaluation. To complete the survey visit: Ipsos-Mori Ofsted Third Sector Survey

Young Lancashire celebrates being positive about youth!

Members of the Young Lancashire team rubbed shoulders with royalty on 18 February at a reception celebrating being positive about youth. Hundreds of young people, supporters and youth workers gathered at St James’s Palace to join UK Youth’s centenary celebrations hosted by the charity’s Patron, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal.

Early Intervention Strategic Lead

A secondment opportunity for the position of Early Intervention Strategic Lead is being advertised on the Lancashire County Council Vacancies List. This is a secondment opportunity for an individual at a senior strategic leadership level. Salary will be reimbursed to the home organisation to match the salary of the successful candidate.

Tellus4

The Department For Children, Schools And Families has published the results of this year’s Tellus survey. Tellus is a national survey which gathers children and young people’s views on their life, their school and their local area. Children’s Minister Dawn Primarolo, who has responded to the survey says there's "Much to celebrate in the latest TellUs survey.

3rd Sector - 1st Choice

Communities Secretary John Denham has commented on the importance of the third sector. Mr Denham said, "In the quest for leaner more efficient services we still need to find ways for councils to take advantage of the positive social outcomes the third sector provides." The unique skills and community benefits of the third sector must not be overlooked by councils looking to improve local public services, Communities Secretary John Denham said today.

Vetting and Barring - update

The Department For Children, Schools And Families has published a Vetting and Barring myth buster to give clarification on the Vetting and Barring Scheme. More detailled information about the new Vetting and Barring Scheme and what is means to you, working in the children and young people's workforce, is also now available on the CWDC website.

Foundation Learning 14-19

The Department For Children, Schools And Families has announced a £20m investment in new Foundation Learning, a key part of the 14-19 reforms. More than 30,000 pupils aged 14 and 15 who need extra time and support to reach GCSEs, Diplomas or Apprenticeships will benefit from personalised help.

Third Sector's success in Learning & Skills

IFF Research, on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), has published ‘Understanding the Contribution of the Third Sector in Learning and Skills’. This research uses five years of LSC data to show the value and achievements of third sector providers of learning and skills.

Voting Age - 16

Prime Minister voices support for lowering voting age to 16. The Prime Minister has confirmed his support for lowering the voting age to 16 but said such a move must go hand-in-hand with improvements in citizenship education. Speaking to MPs on the House of Commons Liaison Committee, Gordon Brown said that if schools were teaching citizenship to a high standard and 16-year-olds could "assume their British citizenship in a formal way" this would pave the way to lowering the voting age to 16.

Early Intervention - top examples wanted

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and C4EO (Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People’s Services) are looking for examples of effective local practice for early intervention and prevention with a particular focus on children, young people and families presenting the greatest challenge.

Britain's Lost Talent

The Prince’s Trust and Citi Foundation has published Britain’s Lost Talent, the results of a study of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs). The report suggests that the country could miss out on 19,500 doctors and nurses, 62,000 teachers and 1,500 plumbers, if young people are unable to fulfill their career aspirations.

14-19 Reform

Minister for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships Iain Wright has responded to the Children & Young People Now 2010 report, commenting on his role to help all young people participate in education and training, building the skills they need for sustainable employment.

Stay Safe Online

The Department For Children, Schools And Families has launched an internet safety campaign ‘Click Clever, Click Safe’. The campaign launch comes alongside a new survey of young people which shows that many parents still aren’t talking to their children about internet safety; and yet the average 6-14 year old communicates with more than 1,100 people online in a year.

New National Support Programme for Voluntary Sector

The National Children's Bureau (NCB) has launched a support programme aimed at helping to develop the work of third sector organisations working with children and young people. The Voluntary Sector Support (VSS) programme hopes to provide a range of services to voluntary sector organisations, keep them informed on policy and practice, support them around commissioning and funding opportunities and offer access to services such as IT and event management.

Project Safe Space North West

This document is a set of instructions for delivering a youth work programme to give young people a safe space to talk about violent extremism and terrorism. It was designed by young people at conference, so that youth organisations can work with young people to deliver similar work based on the learning from this event.

Young People’s Learning Agency

Third Sector Briefing Paper: From April 2010, the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) will have funding responsibilities for education and training provision for young people aged 16-19 and for 19-25 year olds assessed for a learning difficulty and/or disability and for young people in custody. (The YPLA will have taken on part of the functions of the Learning and Skills Council, which ceases to exist 31 March 2010).

Short break funding

The New Economics Foundation has produced a report, The Social and Economic Value of Short Breaks. This is part of the Action for Children and the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign into short breaks. The report assesses long-term savings that can be achieved if the delivery of respite care is continued. Download a copy of the report below.

Champions Development Fund

A community learning champion promotes the value of learning to others - friends, relatives, and workmates - and encourages them to get involved. A community learning champion is often someone for whom learning has made a positive change in their own life. Community learning champions may be volunteers who are active in their community, or they may add the role of community learning champion to their work. Visit Community Learning Champions for details.

Funding to develop media skills

Mediabox is a fund to enable disadvantaged 13-19 year olds living in England the opportunity to develop and produce creative media projects. Who can apply? Mediabox is for disadvantaged young people who do not usually get opportunities like this. Mediabox does not have a single, fixed definition of disadvantaged, but expects applicants to have their own strategy for engaging hard to reach young people. Visit Mediabox for details.

Sport for Change

The aim of this programme, funded by Comic Relief, is to understand more about how sport can play a part in delivering positive change within the lives of individuals and communities. Applications from community groups and organisations using sport as part of a broader programme of work to bring about change at an individual and /or community level. This includes applications from consortia of agencies as long as there is a lead community-based organisation. This funder is particularly keen to fund organisations working to support people from BME communities, older people and women/girls, and will fund across all age ranges and within a broad range of communities.

Children in Need

Children in Need have launched a new grants programme of up to £10,000 a year for three years. They are offering it to third sector organisations working with children and young people under the age of 18. The scheme is designed to reach organisations that have not previously considered applying for Children in Need funding. Grants will be allocated at four points over the year. The 2010 deadlines are: 15th April, 15th July and 15th October. Visit Children In Need to apply.

BIG Lottery Fund - Reaching Communities

Reaching Communities funds projects that help people and communities who are most in need, and can really make a difference. Projects can be new or existing activities, or be the core work of your organisation. Times have changed, and BIG has recognised the difficulties experienced by projects and communities during the current economic downturn, be it increased call on the services offered, greater need for assistance or help in accessing other services, and accepts that it should be supporting communities and people most in need where possible during this difficult time.

Clothworkers’ Foundation

This Foundation aims through its funding to improve the quality of life, particularly for people and communities facing disadvantage, including "Encouragement of Young People". The Clothworkers’ Foundation welcomes applications for the following two grants programmes:

Money up for grabs in Burnley & Padiham!

The ABC Fund has been set up to help local people in Burnley & Padiham (by Calico Homes) to access funding when they might not normally qualify, to carry out activities which will be of benefit to the community. There is a maximum of £300 available per applicant/event in one year. This is to enable the fund to assist as many local projects as possible and benefit more communities. More than one application can be made up to the maximum of £300 in each financial year. The total funding pot is in danger of not being spent in time for the new financial year so please apply!

Parenting Programme - Preston

Parenting Early Intervention PROJECT (PEIP); invitation to apply for grant funding. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) provides grant funding for local authorities to deliver a Parenting Early Intervention Project (PEIP). The purpose of a PEIP is:

Commissioning - Preston

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the sector to work collaboratively to meet the emotional health and self esteem needs of children and young people in Preston. Following on from The ONE (Open Network Event) in January 2010 and as part of Third Sector Lancashire’s Change Management Programme, Young Lancashire is looking expressions of interest from groups who wish to work as a consortia or partnership to deliver the following service

Step TWO

An exciting initiative tackling how the sector bids for funding on behalf of Children and Young People’s services. Step TWO (Towards Working as One) on 25 March 2010 follows The ONE held in January where over forty organisations signed up to working collaboratively. For more information about this event visit: Step TWO.

Registration is now open, simply click here

14-19 Learning: What's it all about?

The Third Sector National Learning Alliance is holding two key events for delegates to meet and hear from senior staff at the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA), REACT at the Local Government Agency and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). Delegates will also have the opportunity to bring to their attention critical issues from the third sector provider perspective. For background on the changes which have led to the review of 14-19 learning, please read The Nuffield Review, posted on Young Lancashire's website - downloads and resources.

Leadership Development (FPM)

Calling all leaders! Leadership Development Programme (LDP) 2nd Phase launched. This LDP programme is designed to develop leaders of the future. It is aimed at managers in third sector organisations and local authority services for young people who are ready to take the next step up in to formal positions of leadership. The programme aims to build capacity in the sector. It is therefore less relevant to managers who are in the later stages of their careers or those that have already completed leadership development programmes.

Safeguarding Course - Level1

This two day Safeguarding Children Course, funded by the Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), has been specifically arranged for staff and managers in the voluntary sector. There are 30 places available on the course which takes place on 23rd March and 10th May, at Preston North End, Deepdale, Preston.

It's a Knockout!

Skelmersdale Action for Youth Forum (S.A.Y) are working with multiple agencies to organise an ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition followed by a Disco for participants on Saturday April 17th 2010 at 12.00 PM – 20.00 PM at Digmoor Community Centre. It is hoped that 20 mixed teams of young people will be taking part in this event. Each team must be a mixed team of five female / male contestants aged between 10 -16. There will be a £5 entry fee per team, which must be paid in advance.

Young People and Money

Times are tough at the moment and no more so than for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Now more than ever they need to become more financially responsible. Young People And Money is a free one-day training course designed for practitioners to help embed financial learning into programmes targeted at NEET young people. Next nearest course 10 March, Preston.

Set No Limits

Set no limits after school. FREE stay and play sessions for children aged 5 years upwards. Experienced activity leaders who specialise in working with young children with the most complex of needs will be joining in the fun after school in Lancashire. Get involved in some fun sessions, be creative and express your individuality in arts and craft lessons. Try out your skills in dance or drama, or let us know what you’d like to do! Dates and booking details below:

Safeguarding is Everybody’s Business

Safeguarding is Everybody’s Business is a conference being organised by Safe Network on Safeguarding in BME Networks. When: 10 March 2010; Time: 9.30 – 3.30; Where: St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester. M12 6FZ. To book a place; download, complete and return the from by email to ruth9x@tinyonline.co.uk or by post to Pauline Ruth, 33 Alder Avenue, Widnes, Cheshire. WA8 6QG, to arrive no later than the 22 February.

The Launch

The Launch is an event to ‘Launch’ new initiatives and funding streams, as well as to celebrate Blackpool young people’s successes over the past year.

LGBT History Month Event

Invitation to Teachers, Headteachers, Governors, Professionals working with Young People to the Prevalence of homophobia in Lancashire schools NUT survey report Launch, on 26 February hosted by Lancashire County Council and organised by the multi agency Navajo Consultative Partnership.

Power of Women Event - Blackpool

For female workers working with young women aged 13-19. Please download a flyer below which outlines the details of Blackpool's Power of Women International Women's Day event on 5 March 2pm - 4pm and 6pm - 8pm at Blackpool Young People Services, Northpoint, Dingle Avenue, Grange Park. If you would like hard copies of the flyer please contact Sharon Davey.

Children and Young People’s Festival - Lancaster

Lancaster and District YMCA are finalising plans, advertising and space allocation for the forthcoming Children and Young People’s Festival which will take place between 10.00am-4.00pm on Saturday 27th March 2010, at Salt Ayre, Sports Centre, Lancaster. There will be a massive media presence on the day with live radio being broadcast all day and all of the local media being asked to take part. A huge number of young people are expected, who will be able to enjoy a full range of activities free of charge.

CYPL News - January 2010

Youth Strategy across Lancashire

Voluntary sector youth leaders are being encouraged to attend an open VCFS Children & Young People meeting on 20th January, taking place at Preston North End, at which Rod Norton will present draft proposals for a comprehensive youth strategy for Lancashire. Rod, who heads up the County's Young People's Service, is looking to establish a common vision for youth work across the county and is particularly keen, during this development phase, to hear and share ideas with leaders from local and national voluntary, community and faith based groups and organisation

Oneplace Go Compare

For those of you who may want to check how your area got on in the recent round of Comprehensive Area Assessments CAA’s that were published in December 2009 you can now search in one place through Oneplace. It does make interesting reading for some areas. See how we compare in Lancashire.

YouGov Youth Index 2010

The Prince's Trust has published research which finds one in ten out-of-work young people say that unemployment drove them to drugs or alcohol, while more than a quarter say it caused them to exercise less. The charity, which surveyed more than 2,000 16- to 25-year-olds, 130 of whom were not in education, employment or training, found that while 15 per cent of young people felt their life lacks direction, this increased to 42 per cent among the unemployed.

Slimmed-down Compact

A radically slimmed-down version of the Compact has been published. The new version of the agreement, which sets out how public and third sector organisations should treat each other, is 22 pages long, compared with more than 160 in the old version and its five codes of practice.

The Children’s Plan Two Years On: a progress report

This document charts the progress that has been made within the first two years of the DCSF’s Children's Plan. It also shares the next steps planned. A new Children’s Plan website has been launched as part of the two year progress report. The website includes case studies and a video showing how the Children’s Plan has made differences to practitioners, parents, children and young people over the past two years.

Get in the News

The Third Sector National Learning Alliance (TSNLA) is working on a toolkit aimed at those who will be commissioning learning provision in Local Authorities, the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People’s Learning Agency. TSNLA is looking for organisations to provide case studies that show how effective voluntary, community and faith groups are at delivering targeted learning to specific groups as well as examples of social enterprise learning initiatives.

Apprentice golden hellos

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) is to provide up to 5,000 ‘golden hellos’ of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on new 16-17 year old apprentices. This short term measure will be available to potential employers of apprentices between January and April 2010.

Vetting and Barring Scheme review

Drawing the line – a review by Sir Roger Singleton looks at the key elements of the VBS scheme and the concerns raised. In response, the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services has produced a briefing paper which summarises the key recommendations from the review and sets out a simplified summary of what this means practically for voluntary youth services.

Safeguarding Children - Level One Course

This accredited training has been designed for people working with children and parents and is intended to highlight the fact that safeguarding is the responsibility of everybody. The aims of the course are to: equip participants with the knowledge of safeguarding children, and to enable participants to take the necessary action to safeguard children.

New Volunteers’ Charter

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Volunteering England have signed a new Volunteers’ Charter that will strengthen the relationship between staff and volunteers, by clarifying the difference between their roles. The Charter sets out how volunteering should be organized and works to give employers and trade unions a guide to best practice in the involvement of volunteers in the workplace.

Youth Participation Growing Up?

Changemakers in participation with Local Government Information Unit have published Youth Participation Growing Up? The LGiU’s mission is to promote local democracy. Changemakers aims to encourage young people to take a lead in public life. In recent times youth participation and youth leadership have become increasingly popular; the report examines what impact these activities have actually had and makes a number of key recommendations. To download a copy click on the heading.

Questionnaire Third Sector

Skills – Third Sector is the new skills and learning council for third sector organisations, charged with ensuring that all kinds of not-for-profit organisations have properly skilled staff who can really make a difference to people and communities. As a new organisation, Skills-Third Sector are keen to ensure they are communicating with third sector organizations in ways that are effective and have put together a questionnaire for you to fill out. Deadline is the 18th of January.

Third Sector bosses urge "Get match fit for funding!"

Commissioners across Lancashire are working with the Third Sector on an innovative venture set to develop collaborative approaches to the way services for Children and Young People are purchased and delivered. The ONE (Open Network Event) on 20 January 2010 aims to revolutionise Volutary, Community and Faith Sector organisations by encouraging collaboration to share their diversity, experience and resource. Young Lancashire is hosting the project on behalf of Third Sector Lancashire. Chief Officer of Young Lancashire, Graham Whalley, said: "This is an opportunity for organisations to get match fit for funding!

Big Lottery Fund (BLF) – Targeted Youth Programme

The Big Lottery Fund has announced that it will spend at least £30m during 2010 on projects that support young people. This funding will be available under the Targeted funding stream, through which BIG will reach specific groups of people in need and tackle the particular issues they need to be addressed.

Aiming High for Disabled Children - Funding for Short Break Provision

As part of the Aiming High for Disabled Children Short Breaks Transformation Programme, Lancashire County Council has received £3.943M as revenue funding to be spent in 2010/2011, and the Aiming High for Disabled Children’s team are inviting applications for funding from the statutory, private, voluntary and independent sectors, specialist or universal ones.

Children in Need

Children in Need have launched a new grants programme of up to £10,000 a year for three years. They are offering it to third sector organisations working with children and young people under the age of 18. The scheme is designed to reach organisations that have not previously considered applying for Children in Need funding. Grants will be allocated at four points over the year. The 2010 deadlines are: 15th April, 15th July and 15th October. Visit Children In Need to apply.

Carers Grants - Funding

Grants for the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sectors Carers Grant Small Funding 2010/11. Are you a voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisation? Do you work with carers or young carers? Then you may be interested in applying for up to £15,000 to manage an innovative carer focused project. To apply and for more details visit: Carers Grant Funding.

Speaking Out small grants

This joint project, between the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) and Children England, sets out to build a voice for the children and young people’s voluntary and community sector across Government. It is part of a strategic partnership with the Office of the Third Sector within the Cabinet Office, with extended funding until 2011. The project will give up to £1000 to youth voluntary organisations and communities that are members of NCVYS or Children England, in order to start new projects or extend established ones.

Faiths in Action funding

Faiths in Action is a £4 million grant programme, distributed over two years in two rounds of funding and maximum grants of £6,000. The second round is now open and Faiths in Action are welcoming applications from faith, inter faith, voluntary and community sector organisations at national, regional and local levels in England. There is no formal deadline but for more information and to apply visit: Community Development Foundation

County Council Grants up for Grabs

Lancashire County Council is providing more than £200,000 to fund community activities across the county. The authority opened up its latest round of bids for Local Gateway Grants on Monday 23rd November and local community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for funding. Amounts typically handed out range from £1,000 to £5,000, and whilst there is a lower limit of £1,000, there is no upper limit. In the past, Local Gateway Grants have been used to fund everything from a multi-racial playbus scheme in Burnley, to a junior football club in Skelmersdale. Local Gateway Grants are provided by the county council through the county's 12 Lancashire Local committees. The closing date for applications is 12th February 2010, for more details and how to apply...

Grants Best?

Policy Manager, Phil Thomas, of the Third Sector Partnership Team at the Department of Health has released a paper, which highlights the role that grants can play in developing and supporting low-level community activity. The use of grants is particularly pertinent to commissioning self-care support for people with long-term conditions. Phil adds "Third Sector organisations will have an increasingly important role to play in meeting some of the expected increase in demand for self care support." For more information please contact  Phil Thomas,  Policy Manager  Tel: 0113 254 6286   Third Sector Partnership Team  Department of Health Philip.Thomas@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

Inspiring & Involving Young People

Free to Third Sector organisations, this training will cover topics including; role of a mentor, maximising body language, understanding the principles of motivation and developing a process to give effective support to young volunteers within your organisation. There are seven training dates, across Lancashire, times: 9.30 - 4.30, with lunch included, places limited to one person per organisation. Event details.

Parent Awareness Week

Advice and information to parents/carers and concerned others, available all week from Tuesday 19 – Friday 22 January 2010. Organised by Young Addaction South Lancashire. If you are worried about a young person’s alcohol or drug use come and meet staff from Young Addaction in your local area, surgeries across Lancashire. Call: 01772 255307, email Project Manager Ruth Conway or click the heading above for more details.

Free Music Making Sessions

More Music is running a series of Free Music-Making Sessions for 11-18 year olds, each Saturday until March and everyday throughout February half term, in partnership with Aiming High for Disabled Children. Venues: libraries in; Preston, Nelson, Ingol, Thornton, Accrington, Haslingden, Ormskirk and Morecambe. For details or to book a place visit: http://www.moremusic.org.uk (for details go to Making Music then Aiming High).

CYPL News Archive 2009

Here are our news archives for 2009.

CYPL News - December 2009

Rules on checks to be changed

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has accepted recommendations of a review he ordered into the vetting and barring scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The checks will now involve only those working with the same children once a week, not once a month, for example. It is thought the new rules will apply to about two million fewer people. The checks, intended to protect children, had caused concern among teachers and parents.

Social Investment Wholesale Bank 

The Office of the Third Sector published a summary of responses to the consultation on the Social Investment Wholesale Bank (SIWB). Government also announced in the Pre-Budget Report, its intention to commit up to £75 million of the funds to be released through the Dormant Accounts Scheme in England. The government aims to finalise the model for the SIWB and to begin the process of engaging with potential providers of this financial institution by Budget 2010.

Government and Third Sector 

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has launched 'Putting the Front Line First: smarter government', A set of plans to protect frontline services by streamlining government. This document sets out a new stage of partnership between the third sector and Government in developing a healthier, stronger civic society. Some of the initiatives will include social impact bonds as a new form of funding positive social outcomes, the smarter use of community assets at the centre of civic life and the developing a barometer of civic participation through the Civic Health Index.

Spending on participation in learning to rise

The Chancellor has pledged to ensure that spending on schools and participation of 16 to 19 year-olds in education and training will rise for two years from 2011. The 2009 Pre-Budget Report, delivered on Wednesday 9th December, sets out a package to ensure that spending on schools for three- to 16-year-olds will rise by 0.7 per cent a year in real terms and spending on 16 to 19 participation will rise by 0.9 per cent a year in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Visit: CYP Now for more on this story.

Outdoor Experiential Learning

The English Outdoor Council has announced an Early Day Motion urging everyone who cares about the future of learning outside the classroom to write their local MP and ask him or her to sign EDM number 4. The campaign is calling on government to recognise that learning through experience is a powerful educational tool. Write to your MP at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or by email.  http://www.parliament.uk/site_information/contact_us.cfm

Children’s rights in England

 The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) has published its Annual State of Children’s Rights in England report. The report reflects on how the Government is taking forward UN recommendations for meeting international children’s rights obligations. The report identifies as common narratives: the failure of the Government to ensure effective and consistent implementation of its policies and legislation for children and young people.

Youth Strategy across Lancashire

Voluntary sector youth leaders are being encouraged to attend an open VCFS Children & Young People meeting on 20th January, taking place at Preston North End, at which Rod Norton will present draft proposals for a comprehensive youth strategy for Lancashire. Rod, who heads up the County's Young People's Service, is looking to establish a common vision for youth work across the county and is particularly keen, during this development phase, to hear and share ideas with leaders from local and national voluntary, community and faith based groups and organisation

Have Your Say - Children's Trust Partnership Board Vacancy

Represent the sector on the Lancashire Children’s Trust Board!

There is now an opportunity for a representative working on behalf of Children and Young People in the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector to join the Lancashire Children's Trust Board . In this role you will bring to the table grassroots insight and awareness of issues facing children and young people and play an important role representing the sector.

Say what?

Young people across Lancashire are being urged to have their say in decisions that affect them by nominating a young person to represent them in the voluntary, community and faith sector.

Young Lancashire is looking to appoint a Vice Chairperson from the county, aged 16-25 years-old. The young person chosen will represent a collective ‘young voice’ on Young Lancashire’s board.

Information and signposting - places to go and things to do

 The Department for Children, Schools and Families(DCSF) has published a report on the Information and Signposting Project (ISP) - a project, which aims to find ways to share information about positive activities in local areas in order to make this information more accessible to young people. This document aims to share the learning from the first year of the information and signposting project and includes practical step-by-step guidance on gathering, managing and sharing information about positive activities on offer: 

Youth Participation 

Changemakers in partnership with the Local Government Information Unit has publish Youth Participation Growing Up? The report describes theories of youth participation in the context of UK policy. Using a combination of a survey of local authorities, focus groups and interviews, it concludes that, although there have been significant advances in this area in recent years, there is a need to re-examine local practice to ensure youth representation is meaningful and can make a real difference to young people's lives.

Safeguarding

 The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has published a research on inter-agency training for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This research aimed to develop an evidence base for inter-agency training to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The study addressed how inter-agency training was organised and the type of training delivered and its effectiveness and value for money.

Value of Volunteering

 The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has published a summary of a seminar on The value of volunteering. The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Third Sector European Network (TSEN) and supported by CSV and Solidar. It brought together a number of case studies of projects from the UK and examples of good practice from other EU Member States which are making use of volunteering as a pathway to employment and active inclusion. 

Involving Young People in Recruitment 

Action for children has published a guide called The Right Choice. The paper provides guidance on involving children and young people in staff recruitment and selection. The guide also offers an overview of the recruitment and selection process, considers why it is important to involve children and young people. It provides basic information and techniques to do this in an inclusive and empowering way. The guide has been re-designed by young people from features artwork specially created by children and young people.

Safer recruitment 

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has published safer recruitment guidance for anyone recruiting staff or volunteers who will be working with children and young people in England.

Free CRB Checks

For all the information about support available to youth groups please visit: Support Information.

County Council Grants up for Grabs

Lancashire County Council is providing more than £200,000 to fund community activities across the county. The authority opened up its latest round of bids for Local Gateway Grants on Monday 23rd November and local community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for funding. Amounts typically handed out range from £1,000 to £5,000, and whilst there is a lower limit of £1,000, there is no upper limit. In the past, Local Gateway Grants have been used to fund everything from a multi-racial playbus scheme in Burnley, to a junior football club in Skelmersdale. Local Gateway Grants are provided by the county council through the county's 12 Lancashire Local committees. The closing date for applications is 12th February 2010, for more details and how to apply...

Funding Opportunity (Fylde)

The Fylde Local Children's Trust Partnership (LCTP) are seeking to support the delivery of activities for 5-13 years in the rural areas of the Fylde district. The Partnership is offering one grant of up to £25k to the VCF Sector to fund this delivery. The allocation available until March 2010 is £8,000 and £15,000 is available from April 2010 until 31 March 2011 and this grant must be spent in line with the principles previously associated with the prevention fund.

The J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust

The J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, one of the largest grant making trusts in the UK, has announced that it is winding down the Trust over a period of between five and ten years. This means that the Trust will be increasing the level of annual spend and will be looking for opportunities to award a number of more substantial grants that will have an enduring impact. Since 1986 the Trust has awarded nearly £38 million to over 3,000 charities across the United Kingdom.

4th Round of the Youth Sector Development Fund Launched

Schools Minister Iain Wright has invited third sector organisations to bid for a share of up to £10m to raise the aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Fourth round of the Youth Sector Development Fund (YSDF) will focus on supporting the aims of the Government’s Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Strategy published last month. Bids should demonstrate how young people would be imaginatively shown the full range of options open to them in education and work, such as through “taster sessions” at universities or real experience of different careers. Note: Young Lancashire is discussing opportunities for the inclusion of locally based VCFS organisations (who can provide IAG to, and are engaged with, disadvantaged young people) in this funding opportuinity with key stakeholders and will keep the sector informed on progress early in the New Year. The closing date for applications is 4th February 2010 and for more information about this opportunity...

Cash 4 Clubs

Sports club that are registered with their sport’s National Governing Body or local authority can apply for grants of up to £1,000 through the Cash 4 Clubs grants scheme. Cash 4 Clubs is a sports funding scheme which gives clubs a unique chance to apply for grants to improve facilities, purchase new equipment, gain coaching qualifications, and generally invest in the sustainability of their club. In 2008 over £30,000 was given out in grants to 30 community sports clubs across the UK. There are three tiers of grants at £250, £500 and £1,000.

Platform2: Global Volunteering Scheme

Platform2 is a Department for International Development (DIFID) initiative that offers 18 – 25 year olds from less advantaged backgrounds the opportunity to live, work and learn about life in poorer countries. The aim of the programme is to unlock the potential and developing the skills of less advantaged young adults who wouldn’t normally have such an opportunity. The scheme will help promote a greater understanding in the UK of other cultures and global issues.

Grants Best?

Policy Manager, Phil Thomas, of the Third Sector Partnership Team at the Department of Health has released a paper, which highlights the role that grants can play in developing and supporting low-level community activity. The use of grants is particularly pertinent to commissioning self-care support for people with long-term conditions. Phil adds "Third Sector organisations will have an increasingly important role to play in meeting some of the expected increase in demand for self care support." For more information please contact  Phil Thomas,  Policy Manager  Tel: 0113 254 6286   Third Sector Partnership Team  Department of Health Philip.Thomas@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

Wakeham Trust

The Wakeham Trust provides funding for Individual and Small Groups to Improve their Local Communities. Groups of individuals as well as small community and voluntary groups within the UK that want to improve their communities can apply for funding through the Wakeham Trust. The Trust are particularly interested in supporting neighbourhood projects, community arts projects, projects involving community service by young people, or projects set up by those who are socially excluded.

PIP Conference: Play into the Future

They are holding a conference in central London on Wednesday 17th February 2010. The themes covered include celebrating the successes of the Play Strategy, the recession and where now for Aiming High for disabled children? There will also be a series of workshops covering areas such as Sustainability and the change agenda beyond 2011, and Managing risk and inclusion. As a special offer they are freezing the conference prices at 2008 rates for all those who book places before Friday 11th December 2009. (£100 voluntary / £175 statutory). For more information and a booking form, please email or visit the PIP Conference website.

Peer Qualifications

UK Youth have developed 4 new qualifications for young people aged 14 and above, which are to be launched in January 2010. These new qualifications are intended to provide added creditability to peer education and peer mentoring through recognition of the valuable role it plays in non-formal teaching and learning. The qualifications will be launched through a number of half day events from Monday 18th January. These launch events are aimed at workers and managers who support young people aged 14 plus that are engaged in peer education and peer mentoring projects. If you wish to attend please request a booking form by sending an email to Charmaine at UK Youth.

Finding a NEET solution: re-engaging young people not in employment, education or training

Westminster Education Forum are holding a Keynote Seminar on 10th March 2010. As the Government's 2010 NEET reduction target approaches this seminar will offer policy makers and key stakeholders an opportunity to learn about and discuss latest policy and practical initiatives for reducing NEET numbers in the UK. It will bring together policy makers from Parliament and government with education professionals, local authorities, businesses, citizen's groups and other stakeholders. Oliver Newton, NEET Policy Manager, Participation and Progression Division, Department for Children, Schools and Families and Dr Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Rathbone will be delivering keynote addresses this seminar. Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded individuals and those in similar circumstances are £80 plus VAT, full price tickets are £190 plus VAT. To book places, please visit: Westminster Forum Events.

Youth Engagement Officer

Full Time Youth Engagement Officer, based in the Bulk Ward of Lancaster, salary circa £18,000. For all information about this post please contact Phil McGrath 01524 32737 and/or visit YMCA website www.lancasterymca.co.uk

City Centre Outreach Workers

Two Part Time City Centre Outreach Workers, Friday and Saturday's starting January c.£15 per hour. For further information contact Phil McGrath on 01524 32737 and/or visit the website: http://www.lancasterymca.co.uk