SDVS Headlines

Summer Training Programme

Subsidised by SSCWP TSI Funding

• Challenging Behaviour 2/7/08 Sold Out
• Mental Health Awareness 16/7
• Dementia Awareness 11/8
• Effective Record Keeping and Accountability date to be confirmed

Other

• Vetting and Barring of Volunteers 14/7
• Sharps Management Policy & Procedure 22/7
• Diversity Awareness & Challenging Discrimination 4/9
• Parish Planning 6/9
• Manual Handling of Objects 11/9
• Lone Working 1/12

Coming Soon

PQASSO Implementation Workshops

Charities Evaluation Services (CES) launched the third edition of PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations) on Wednesday 25th June. PQASSO is the leading quality assurance system used in the voluntary and community sector, and has been nominated for the Charity Awards 2008.

This third edition of PQASSO is significantly updated. It is built on the success of the first two editions but, following national consultation with the sector, it rises to the challenges of the current and future voluntary and community sector operating environment including:

• sharper focus on the importance of outcomes
• more emphasis on the importance of planning and marketing of services
• better support for working in partnership
• greater focus on environmental and sustainability issues
• highlighting the increased role of VCS organisations in public service delivery and
• greater prominence to their ‘voice’ role.

How to book etc

Details of our training programme and booking form can be found on www.communitiestogether.org.uk by clicking on training. All SCIO training opportunities are offered under this icon, SkillBase training can be distinguished by the logo on the course flyer.

Any other query, please contact the SkillBase team

Helen Oparinde, Training Co-coordinator, 01785 279938, skillbase@sdvs.org.uk

Barbara Alexander, Training Administrator, 01785 279930, sbadmin@sdvs.org.uk

You can download the Grant application form by clicking here and the guidance notes by clicking here.

Sport England (SE) is now consulting on potential changes to the way we distribute National Lottery funding.  In particular, your views are needed on:

1. How SE use our National Lottery funding in the best way to create a world-leading community sport system
2. How SE can improve our application and award processes
3. If there are particular features of the current Community Investment Fund that you value

SE also include space for any other issues you would like to raise and for information about you as a respondent to the consultation.

This consultation is aimed at anyone who is interested in National Lottery funding for sport.  This includes interested members of the public, Lottery grant beneficiaries and professionals and organisations working within sport.  This is your opportunity to influence the way in which we distribute around £45 million a year of National Lottery funding which can make a real difference to the future of sport in England.

The consultation is open between Wednesday 25 June and Friday 12 September. You can participate by completing a questionnaire in a number of ways:

Online: Click here to complete the questionnaire online  

Post:  You can print out the this PDF file, fill it in and post it to:

Sport  England, National Lottery Funding Consultation, Business Reply No. WC4093, 3rd Floor, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1B 4SE

Phone:  Contact the Consultation Enquiry Line on 0845 8508508 for a copy of the questionnaire to be posted to you.

Once all the consultation responses are collated and analysed, we will present our findings in autumn 2008.

The Darzai Report on the future of the Health Service will be published on 30th June.

The Prime Minister has indicated that he wants to take public service reform much further in the Health Service and that third sector organisations should play a major role.  He believes we have only just begun to harness the real power of the third sector to deliver.

On Primary Care, the Government believes that much provision should pass from PCT’s to Third Sector organisations, leaving PCT’s as commissioners; this will mirror the move to Foundation Trusts on the acute side.  If the main barrier to any transfer lies in pension provision, the Government will enable staff that transfer from the NHS to a Third Sector organisation to remain in the NHS Pension Scheme, which will then continue to be funded through the NHS.

The changes will also give NHS staff involved in primary care provision the right to set up a Third Sector organisation on request and this will occur without competition.

There are many other recommendations that cover the provision of preventative services, funding for support groups, extending choice and personalisation.  There will also be proposals on extending the concept of individual budgets to some long-term chronic conditions.

Sustainable development - usually defined as “Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”  - means recognising the interdependence of economic, environmental and social development.  Public and political awareness of the challenge posed by climate change may have increased very fast in recent years at a general level, but there is still a huge amount to be done if this awareness is to be translated into meaningful action .  The Leitch Report argued for ‘ placing sustainable development at the heart of skills provision, ensuring that it is a fundamental goal of our economic and social progress’.  Lifelong learning has a significant role to play in enabling both appropriate behaviour - by individuals, by organizations and by public bodies    - and an informed public debate on the issues and policies.  

This is why the Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning (IFLL), sponsored by NIACE, is putting out a public call for evidence on lifelong learning and sustainable development. 

With a Board of Commissioners chaired by Sir David Watson, the IFLL was launched in September 2007 and will report in June 2009. Experts from government, business, academia, trade unions, public service, providers and the voluntary and community sector, as well as learners, are brought together to identify a broad consensus for the future direction of adult learning policy in the UK.  (For detail see www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk).

The Inquiry looks at the critical issues that face our society in coming decades, and identifies how adult learning can equip us to meet these challenges. A number of specific themes provide a focus for the work, around which we are issuing calls for evidence.   Interested individuals and organisations are invited to submit written evidence on lifelong learning and sustainable development by 7 August 2008.

Tom Schuller, Director of the Inquiry, comments:  “As citizens, almost all of us are aware that sustainable development poses huge challenges.  However many of us are baffled by the complexities of the issues.  This is an absolutely crucial area where lifelong learning can counter people’s feelings of powerlessness.  But there remain many questions about how such learning opportunities should be developed and delivered, as well as their content.  This is an area where we need a lot of work quickly to establish who should have responsibility for what, and this is exactly what the Inquiry will address.”

The Inquiry invites submissions that address the following questions:

· What does the evidence tell us about the relationship between lifelong learning and sustainable development?

· Where are the gaps in evidence in relation to this theme?

· What key messages for the Inquiry we should extract?

In particular,

• What are the core generic skills that we need for a sustainable society?
• What are the most effective forms of education for achieving sustainable development?
• How can we ensure that there is a strong global dimension in lifelong learning, linked visibly to local concerns?
• What kinds of infrastructural development are needed to strengthen the part lifelong learning plays in promoting sustainable development?

Further information about the Inquiry is available from www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk

At this stage we take a broad view of what constitutes evidence. It might include research evidence; information about your organisation/learning provision; or personal or organisational experience or views about the issues connected with this theme etc. It would be helpful, however, if you could indicate what sort of evidence you are submitting.

Evidence should be submitted to lifelonglearninginquiry@niace.org.uk More information in submitting evidence is available from http://www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk/Evidence-sus-dev.htm

This is a public call for evidence. Recipients of this notice are encouraged to draw it to the attention of others who may wish to submit evidence to the Inquiry.

This nationally representative parental satisfaction survey was commissioned as part of the wider Local Authority Commissioning Pathfinders evaluation which is as yet unpublished. The results of this survey are being published separately as they may be of interest outside the context of the wider evaluation.

The survey of parents includes a measure of parents’ satisfaction with their child’s school and reasons for any dissatisfaction; parents’ experiences and attitudes in relation to school choice; and their awareness of and attitudes towards two of the newer types of school - academies and trust schools.

The survey was carried out in January 2008 and involved 2,000 parents and guardians of children aged 4 to 16 who were attending schools in England.

Click here to download the research report.

Headline figures from the Citizenship Survey (April 2007 - March 2008) show that in the last year just 38 per cent of respondents felt able to influence decisions in their local area whilst only 39 per cent of people were involved in some kind of civic participation such as attending a public meeting, signing a local petition or contacting a local councillor.

The findings tally closely with data from this year’s local elections which showed average voter turnout at around 40 per cent or less. Taken together, the findings suggest a sense of apathy pervading the local democratic process which is something the Government is keen to address.

The Government wants to see greater involvement of local people in the decision making process and greater accountability so that when people do get involved in meetings or signing petitions they can be sure those efforts are not wasted.

Research shows that where people have opportunities to participate and feel they can influence decisions their satisfaction with the local authority tends to be higher. By giving more people more of a say and a greater bearing on the decisions that affect them the Government wants to bring about a real shift in power with local people playing a bigger role improving communities up and down the country.

The Government have already announced new measures for local people to have a say through community kitties, a new right to a response when people sign a petition on an issue that matters to them and greater ownership of community assets. In the coming weeks Hazel Blears will publish a Community Empowerment White Paper which will go even further in giving more power to local people.

Despite lower levels of civic participation, broader measures on attitudes towards and involvement in communities captured by the Citizenship Survey are generally very positive. The Citizenship survey shows that: 

• nearly three quarters (73%) of all adults have volunteered at least once in the last year
• 48 per cent have volunteered  at least once a month
• 82 per cent of people think that people from different backgrounds get on well in their local area
• The numbers of people that feel they belong strongly to their neighbourhood has risen from 70 per cent in 2003 to 75 per cent in 2008.

The third section of the Citizenship Survey reports views on racial prejudice and discrimination. Findings include:

• a decline in the number of people from ethnic minority groups  who felt hat they would be treated worse than other races by at least one of eight public service organisations from 38 per cent in 2001 to 34 per cent in 2007/2008
• Less than 1 in 10 people (9 per cent) say that racial or religious harassment is a problem in their local area
• 56 per cent of people feel that there is now more racial prejudice in Britain than five years ago
• People from ethnic minorities (32%) are less likely than White people (58%) to feel that there is now more racial prejudice in Britain compared with five years ago.

The full findings from the fourth quarter of the Citizenship Survey are available at Citizenship Survey: April 2007 - March 2008, England and Wales.

1. Focus on the quality of service you offer. Demonstrate class rather than slashing costs, says Andrew Nisbet, managing director of Aniscon Consulting, which advise firms tendering for regeneration work. “Price is rarely the determining factor in regeneration contracts but quality issues are often the determinant, “he says. “Highlight strong aspects of your organization, such as leadership and the effective use of resources.”

2. Emphasis your track record. “Show that you have the resources necessary to manager the level of work needed, and that you have experience of working in similar circumstances, and that you’ve learned from the experience to create a virtuous circle of continuous improvement,” says Nisbet.

3. Use various sources to seek opportunities. “As well as being members of relevant professional bodies, we monitor the trade press, attend networking events and use an online tool for tracking public sector contracts, “says Phoebe Hart, marketing manager for communication agency JJ Group.

4. Develop a rapport with the client. “Getting the chemistry right is vital, especially in the kind of complex projects that re common in regeneration,” says Nisbet. “long-term contracts require that a relationship is built up and that the contracted organisation understands the project’s wider context.”

5. Stick carefully to meeting the needs of the contracting firm. “Sometimes it’s clear from their brief, but you can’t afford to guess or get too carried away with your own ideas,” says Hart. “If a presentation is required, adapt and add to your original bid document, so you’re not just rehashing what the client has already read.”

Advice and support about tendering is available through government-run service Business Link at www.businesslink.gov.uk.  Online tender tracking tools include www.tendermatch.com and www.tenderdirect.co.uk.

The third edition of Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations (PQASSO) has been prodcued published by Charities Evaluation Services. Changes include more emphasis on the importance of planning and marketing of services, better support for working in partnership and greater focus on environmental and sustainability issues. Discounts for recent purchasers of the second edition. CES announcement and further explanation available by clicking here.

‘Complaints about charities‘ guidance (CC47) that looks at when the Commission will, or will not, follow up on complaints about charities has been updated. Click here to find out more.

‘Conflicts in your charity - A statement of approach by the Charity Commission‘ gives guidance on when the Commission will or will not get involved in a dispute, plus provides details of organisations that may be able to offer additional information and support. Click here for more.

‘Affordable Home Ownership - Charitable Status and Tax‘, published jointly with HM Revenue & Customs and the Housing Corporation, explains when providing affordable low cost home ownership may be charitable and the legal and tax implications. Click here for details.

Updated charity accounting standard
An updated edition of the Charities SORP 2005, the accounting standard for registered charities, has also been published by the Charity Commission. No changes have been highlighted, but we understand that they cover tidying up around the recent Charities and Companies Acts and accountancy reporting regulations. Download or order by clicking here.

Staffordshire’s Youth Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention Strategy identifies the need to address the risk and protective factors related to offending and anti-social behaviour amongst children and young people.

Staffordshire County Council and its partners wish to establish an Intensive Family Support Project which will deliver outreach services to those families of greatest concern to agencies due to the high risk of anti-social behaviour, offending or re-offending by children and young people within that family.  The Project will aim to break the cycle of anti-social behaviour and offending within the families identified.

Staffordshire Youth Offending Service on behalf of the Youth Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention Steering Group and the Safer and Stronger Communities Board will oversee the tendering process and receive financial monitoring and performance reports on their behalf.

Preference will be given to those tenders from organisations with an already established network and infrastructure within Staffordshire as delivery is expected to commence with effect from 1 October 2008. 

For queries, please contact Dave Benge DaveBenge@ldcvs.org.uk  or Sharon Moore  sharon.moore@staffordshire.gov.uk.

You can read the Intensive Family Support Briefing Note by clicking here.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas today launched a new helpline for victims of loan sharks.

The helpline number - 0300 555 2222 - covers the North-West, Yorkshire and Humberside, South East and Central England.

The confidential helpline puts people in touch with a Government funded anti-loan shark team run by Birmingham City Council that covers these regions of England.

Read the full press release from the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform on the News Distribution website by clicking here.

You can read the latest Charity News Alert from Plaza Publishing by clicking here.

Articles include:

• Futurebuilders to ditch application forms
• Restructure for Charity Tribunal planned
• New PQASSO model helps sector see the bigger picture
• Missing children group inspired by Maddy McCann seeks charity status
• Charities ’should get more ministerial access than companies’
• TV’s Kaplinsky and CAF in hunt for ‘good kids’
• First-ever Commission guidance on home ownership provision
• Hohn’s foundation reports record income
• Former Mind chief to join Sense
• Jon Snow and Martha-Lane Fox join The Big Give board
• £30m fund for Scottish third sector

Update on PQASSO

SkillBase is just finalising some funding with the help of Mike Allen representing SCIO and so hopefully subsidised courses on PQASSO Implementation will be launched early autumn.

Wednesday 25 June is the official launch date for PQASSO 3rd edition.  This is the day that Charities Evaluation Service will officially transfer from using PQASSO 2nd edition to using PQASSO 3rd edition. If you need advice on this please contact your local PQASSO Mentors, Helen Oparinde SkillBase and Sue Whalley Newcastle CVS.

Update on SkillBase Training Forum

Thank you for your input at the SkillBase Training Forum, with regard to the SkillBase External Evaluation. The report will be presented to the SkillBase Steering Group today.

With regard to the speakers from Cannock Chase College, Julie Conway has now left the organisation and so SkillBase is trying to establish links with her colleague, so the feedback from 3rd sector groups can be acted upon.  We will keep you updated.

At the next training forum SkillBase will be completing a presentation on Reflect the tool to record Continued Professional Development, if you providing teaching to adult learners.  We are in the process of arranging other speakers, so if you want a specific topic covering let SkillBase know.

SkillBase Training Summer and beyond

• Lone Working early December
• Dementia Awareness subsidised in house training for 2 3rd sector groups. If your organisation has a need let SkillBase know
• Emergency Aid new date on its way
• Mental Health Awareness date to be announced subsidised
• Parish Planning 6/9
• Vetting and Barring of Volunteers 14/7
• SAGE date to be announced
• Effective Record Keeping 4/7
• Challenging Behaviour 2/7

For all workshops please complete a booking form and return to SkillBase Team

Barbara Alexander Training Administrator, 01785 279930 sbadmin@sdvs.org.uk  

Helen Oparinde, Training Co-coordinator, 01785 279938, skillbase@sdvs.org.uk

Click here to download the latest Skill Base promotional document

Are you a disabled person using social care services? Have you used social care services in the past?

If so, the Commission for Social Care Inspection needs your views in its new survey. The information you provide will be confidential and your answers anonymous.

Click here to access the survey.

Staying Active Organiser (Fit as a Fiddle)

We are looking for a motivated individual to become involved in our successful Staying Active Stafford project which promotes active ageing and community involvement.

Due to a successful national bid to the Big Lottery we are looking to recruit an Organiser to provide support and encouragement to older people who need support to re-adjust to changes in their lifestyles by encouraging them to build their confidence by undertaking structured planned workshops which will take place within their own community.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and have an energetic and flexible attitude.

A current driving licence and use of a car is essential.

£12742 - £13525 pro rata

Deadline: 4th July 2008

Permanent Part-Time - 20 hours per week

Telephone: 01785 607060 or email: mel@ageconcernstafford.org.uk

Staying Active Assistant

To oversee present activities in our Gnosall Day Centre and be involved in its development into an Active Ageing centre. The successful candidate ideally would have an NVQ Level 3 in Care or have supervisory experience; however training will be available to the successful candidate. Access to a car would be desirable as it may be necessary to work in other locations.

£11585 - £12349 pro rata
Deadline: 4th July 2008

Permanent Part time - 14 hours per week

Telephone: 01785 607060 or email: mel@ageconcernstafford.org.uk

As you may be aware, Staffordshire County Council has successfully secured approximately £1.1m from the Government for the development of 25 play areas for 8-13 year olds across the county.

The County Council is one of 43 local authorities chosen by the Government to become a ‘Play Builder’ authority and be granted additional funding.

The new funding will provide greater access to high quality play sites for children in Staffordshire as part of the national and local aim to ensure parents have the confidence to encourage children to play independently and take risks in a safe and stimulating environment.

The sites can be a combination of new and refurbished play areas and will be selected through an open proposals process that will aim to ensure long term sustainable change for children’s play. All proposals, even those from the community or voluntary sector, should come via the district play partnerships.

Please click here to read an introductory letter and here to download the application pack. Please note the deadline for applications is midnight July 18th 2008.

If you require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact:

Renee Hardman, Project Management Support Officer, Direct Services - Children & Lifelong Learning, Wedgwood Building, Tipping Street, Stafford ST16 2DH

Tel: 01785 278709.   Email: renee.hardman@staffordshire.gov.uk

The Charity Commission’s consultations on draft supplementary guidance for public benefit will be closing soon.   The consultations on draft guidance relating to fee-charging charities or which have the advancement of education in their objects will close on 30 June. 

The consultations on draft guidance relating to charities which have the advancement of religion or the prevention or relief of poverty in their objects will close on 11 July.

All charities are now required to include in their Trustees Annual Report an explanation of how their activities and achievements demonstrate public benefit.  Previously, charities with these charitable objects were presumed to be for public benefit, but this changed with the 2006 Charities Act. 

The draft guidance covers public benefit generally but puts it specifically in the context of charities that have these objects.  Although this is a very complex area of regulation and law, it is important that the Commission gets as much feedback as possible from the sector so that it can make the most informed and thought-through set of guidance possible.

To access the consultation documents, click here.

Agencies in Staffordshire are working together to improve health and well being for vulnerable groups in Staffordshire

AT THIS INVALUABLE WORKSHOP YOU WILL:

• Hear about the work we have been doing so far on identifying the health and well being needs of the vulnerable groups
• Learn about the sorts of services we think will meet those needs
• Help us decide if we’re on the right track

Register your interest: e-mail sue.potts@staffordshire.gov.uk

Thursday 10 July 2008, Quality Hotel, Pinfold Lane, Penkridge, ST19 5QP

No attendance charge