SCFS e-news issue 5

Supporting Community Focused Schools e-news - Issue 5, August/September 2006

NOTE: Please forward this free bulletin to others (subscription details at the end).

Section one: Diary of forthcoming events, seminars and courses

ContinYou Cymru: Community Focused Schools cluster days, October 06

As a reminder, the 5 events for schools and clusters planned for this term are:

5 Oct 06: South East consortium
6 Oct 06: South West consortium
10 Oct 06: North West consortium
11 Oct 06: North East consortium
31 Oct 06: Central South consortium

For further details about these days, contact Rose Jones at rose.jones@continyou.org.uk or 029 2047 8929.

ContinYou Cymru: Community Focused Schools consortium meetings

Upcoming consortium meetings for CFS co-ordinators, for each region in Wales are as follows:

4 Sept: South West consortium - County Hall, Powys
14 Sept: South East consortium – ContinYou office, Cardiff
19 Sept: North West consortium - Pwllheli
26 Sept North East consortium – Denbighshire
28 Sept: Central South consortium – Bessemer School, Merthyr Tydfil

Further details about these meetings can be found by contacting Ian Bottrill (CS) ian.bottrill@continyou.org.uk, Ian Fordham (SE) ian@bigpictureconsultancy.com, Heledd James (SW / NW) heledd.james@continyou.org.uk and Angela Treadwell (NE) angela.treadwell@continyou.org.uk

ContinYou Cymru: Community Focused Schools Autumn Conference, 27 Nov 06

The planning on the Community Focused Schools Autumn conference is now well under way for the 27 November 2006. Jane Davidson, Professor Howard Williamson and a number of leading chief executives and directors of education will be speaking, as well as the CFS toolkit and the new qualification ‘Leading Community Focused Schools’, developed in partnership with NEWI, ADEW and the Virtual Staff College. Exciting interactive workshops on working with social services, health and other agencies will also take place. Some free places will be offered to all local authority community focused co-ordinators, plus we will also offer some subsidised places for additional partners who wish to attend.

Children in Wales: Flying Start Conference, 22 September 2006, Cardiff

This conference will provide those delivering the Flying Start programme in Wales with a broad understanding of current research, policy and practice and consequent issues in relation to young children, especially aged 0-3 and within the remit of the WAG Flying Start initiative. For further information, contact Louise Harries Tel: 029 2034 2434 or visit http://www.childreninwales.org.uk/5921.html

WCVA: Introduction to community development training 19 October 2006, Newtown

This course is aimed at anyone who has recently taken up (or is about to take up) community development or co-ordinator posts. The outline has been designed specifically to introduce participants to the values, principles and practice that inform community development.

For further information, visit: www.wcva.org.uk/training

Wales Funders Forum: Monitoring and Evaluation – Friend or Foe? 6 September 2006, Cardiff

This is the Wales Funders Forum full forum event. Monitoring and evaluation is a task we all undertake to a greater or lesser extent. But what is evaluation and what are we achieving through the process we put in place? Are the benefits of these processes real or perceived, and how do we use the information gleaned through monitoring and evaluation to shape future programmes? Further details are available from Sinéad Henehan, Pembrokeshire County Council, tel 01437 775540, email sinead.henehan@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

SNAP Cymru annual conference 18 September 2006, Cardiff

SNAP Cymru are celebrating 20 years of parent partnership services in Wales. The theme of the conference is ‘discipline with dignity’ – a practical approach with Dr Bill Rogers. If you need an inspirational day Bill is not to be missed. He is renowned for his practical effective and common sense approaches in dealing with behaviour problems in classrooms. Bill will present strategies which are easy to adopt and accessible for everyone to use. Everyone working with children and young people, including parents should attend. Further details are available from Jenny Jones, Administrator, SNAP Cymru, tel 029 2038 8776, email jenny.jones@snapcymru.org.

Institute of Welsh affairs: Sport & Economic Regeneration in Wales, 5 October 2006, Cardiff

Sport has now assumed a vital role in helping to promote economic regeneration. This conference will look at the impact recent sports investment has had in Wales and the steps now needed to ensure that the global interest likely to be generated by the 2010 Ryder Cup and the London Olympic Games two years later is fully exploited by Welsh communities and Welsh businesses. Further details are available from the Institute of Welsh Affairs, tel 029 2066 6606, email wales@iwa.org.uk.

WCVA: Regional Policy Events – October 2006

Arranged by WCVA in partnership with Children in Wales and Children’s Commissioner for Wales. This themed policy event is aimed at anyone who would like to know about risk assessment in relation to using criminal records checks. The events are equally appropriate to those organisations already using disclosure as well as those considering introducing criminal records checks to help with informed recruitment. Dates for the Diary are:

Tuesday 10 October 2006

The Halliwell Centre, Carmarthen

Wednesday 11 October 2006

Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran

Wednesday 18 October 2006

The Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells

Thursday 19 October 2006

North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno

Please contact WCVA CRU 01492 539 898/899 or email jjones@wcva.org.uk to register your interest. Bookings will be taken from 4 September 2006. Closing date for bookings will be 28 September 2006.

Pyramid: Free sessions on Engaging Parents to Support Children's Emotional Wellbeing

UK charity, Pyramid, is offering 40 free places to each of two events taking place in Bristol on 25th September and in Leeds on the 28th September 06. Both events will take place between 9.30 and 2.00. Funding from the Parenting Fund has enabled Pyramid to design a model of support for parents, 'Pyramid for Parents', to complement their work with primary school children. These events are aimed at sharing some of the good practice developed over the last year. If you are interested in finding out more about either of these events please contact enquiries@nptrust.org.uk

Section two: Publications, reports and newsletters

WAG: Beecham Review

Sir Jeremy Beecham presented his report reviewing the delivery of public services in Wales to the Welsh Assembly Government in July. In supporting the Government’s approach to public service reform, the report says that Wales could become a model for how services are delivered in small countries, but the programme of reform will need to go faster and deeper.

Key recommendations from the review include:

reducing bureaucracy, simplifying grant regimes, less inspection and regulation and a concentration on outcomes not process
much more joint working - across organisations and sectors and across services within them - to enhance capacity, improve efficiency and increase the range and quality of public services: more shared procurement, shared management and pooled budgets
no major re-organisation of structures – priority is to make existing system work much better through comprehensive action to tackle the constraints on progress. Review in five years time to assess whether collaboration has delivered the necessary step-change, and if not, whether structural change, or any other major re-orientation of service delivery, is required
a willingness to embrace a mixed economy of provision including the public, private and not for profit sectors
an enhanced role for scrutiny in the Assembly and local government, involving service users and advocates
greater investment in building capacity and skills in service delivery
piloting contracts between the Assembly Government and partnerships of local organisations to achieve specific objectives (Partnership Action Contracts), with Ministers engaged with local leaders to ensure delivery.

For further information visit: http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/makingtheconnections/beechamreview/beechamrep?lang=en

WAG: Disadvantaged Groups Development Fund consultation

The Welsh Assembly Government is consulting on proposals for a Disadvantaged Groups Development Fund directed at organisations whose members are from isolated or socially excluded sectors of Welsh society. This is to include: ethnic minorities; disabled people; people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual; women; homeless people; refugees and asylum seekers; migrant workers; gypsies and travellers; people with low levels of literacy or numeracy; and speakers of minority languages.

The fund will assist small groups, organisations and networks that are usually excluded or experience difficulty in securing public funding. In the short term the fund will help groups raise awareness, build networks and enhance their communication, with the long-term aim of achieving growth and recognition. Grants will range from £500 for local activities to £25,000 for development work.

The consultation paper is available on the policy pages of WCVA’s website. The consultation runs until Tuesday 31 October and more information can be obtained by contacting John Duggan john.duggan@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

WAG: Fulfilled lives, supportive communities consultation

Welsh social services departments will continue to be led by a single director under proposals in the 10-year strategy for the sector. The draft strategy, published for consultation by the Welsh Assembly Government, says social services should remain a key part of local government. The consultation document says social care providers should spend more time delivering preventative services to reduce the number of people who will need more intensive support. Key to this will be joint working with health, housing and education agencies to identify and help all client groups at an earlier stage. The strategy also says services must be more person-centred, and the assembly government has pledged to overhaul the unified assessment process to achieve this. The deadline for responses is 15 November 2006. Copies of 'Fulfilled lives, supportive communities' are available from http://tinyurl.com/lg58b.

WAG: Emergent findings from the evaluation of communities first

The Welsh Assembly Government’s flagship anti-poverty programme Communities First is “a long way from producing the regeneration outcomes that were and still are its main aim” it was reported last month. Initial findings from the first evaluation of the programme, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, reveal that while nearly all of the 137 designated Communities First areas have established partnerships, a significant number are not 'fully functional'. The evaluation can be seen here http://tinyurl.com/z7gld.

End Child Poverty Network Cymru: Child Poverty in Wales conference report

The End Child Poverty Network Cymru has recently published its Child Poverty in Wales- much work to be done conference report which marked the UN Eradication of Poverty Day on the 17th October 2005. Further information available at http://www.childreninwales.org.uk/policy/news/6188.html

Ofsted: report on Healthy Schools

Ofsted in England have recently published a report on Healthy Schools that looks at the contribution of education to pupils' health and well-being. It is based on visits to 18 schools selected because of their good practice in the context of health education. This is the first major Ofsted survey on the broader aspects of health and well-being since the introduction of the Every Child Matters agenda. The findings are intended to disseminate best practice and to help institutions improve this aspect of their work.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.summary&id=4241

Ofsted: Extended Services in schools and children's centres

This important survey aims to inform the expansion of extended services in England by identifying and assessing the factors which contribute to effective provision of these services in schools and children's centres.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.summary&id=4240

Neighbourhood Management and Extended Services in and around schools

This publication sets the policy context and provides advice on how local authorities and schools in England can design facilities in partnership with their communities, other agencies and the private and voluntary sectors. It compares the drivers for Neighbourhood Management and Extended Services and shows clearly and concisely how they can most effectively jointly deliver the required outcomes.

http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/publications.asp?did=1812

Section three: Funding

Are your schools looking for funding?

If your schools are looking for funding for your organisation or project, WCVA can carry out a funding search for its members on Grantfinder. Contact the Helpdesk on 0870 607 1666, help@wcva.org.uk or complete an online funding enquiry form: http://www.wcva.org.uk/all/dsp_enquiry.cfm?0=0&display_sitetextid=190. Grantfinder and other funding information is also available from County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) - contact the WCVA Helpdesk for details of your nearest CVC.

WAG: Communities First (Music) Trust Fund

This new Welsh Assembly Government Fund aims to promote music activities in Communities First areas. The one-year pilot fund, administered by WCVA on behalf of CFSN, is a ring-fenced additional element to the mainstream Communities First Trust Fund. The purpose of the scheme is to support any type of music activity and community music that involves local people, through small community organisations, and promotes social inclusion. A total of £180,000 has been allocated throughout Wales. Priority will be given to young people, especially those who have not had an opportunity to participate in musical activities. The deadline dates for applications is 31 October 2006 and 31 January 2007. For an application pack contact the Communities First Helpline on 0800 587 8898, email enquiries@communitiesfirst.info.

Barrow Cadbury Trust

The Barrow Cadbury Trust has launched a £5m funding scheme for projects working with young offenders. Its Young Adults and Criminal Justice Grant Programme will support charity-led projects working with young adults aged 18 to 24. More information from www.bctrust.org.uk/snapshots/young-adult-guidelines/.

BT Community Connections

BT Community Connections is a nationwide award scheme that connects local community and voluntary groups to the internet. Since 2000, the scheme has awarded more than 4,600 internet-ready PCs to community and voluntary organisations. In 2006/7 over 1,300 awards will be made to groups who can demonstrate how a PC and internet connection will benefit their work and the local community. There are two rounds of the award scheme and applications should be submitted prior to the closing dates: Thursday 26 October 2006 and Thursday 15 February 2007. Every application will be assessed and a regional panel in England, or national panel in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will judge those short-listed. Further details are available from www.btcommunityconnections.com.

AERC: Developing People and Organisations

The Alcohol Education and Research Council (AERC) is offering grants of £5,000 - £50,000 that can be used to pay for project activities that are outside the responsibilities of central or local government agencies and services. Initiatives funded by the Developing People and Organisations grant scheme must focus on improving practice by developing knowledge, skills and motivation, influencing change, promoting organisational development and evaluation. The next deadline is 5 September 2006: www.aerc.org.uk/grants.htm. The AERC also offers three-year research grants of up to £50,000.

The Dulverton Trust

The Trust has issued new policy guidelines. The majority of the Trust’s work is in support of national and regional charities operating in England, Scotland and Wales, especially in areas where there is a significant amount of deprivation, and particularly where a grant would make a real difference to the recipients. The Trust is able to consider applications only from registered charities or those with officially recognised charitable status. The main funding categories are: youth and education; general welfare; conservation; religion; preservation; peace and security and miscellaneous. Further details are available from www.dulverton.org.

The Rayne Foundation

Applications for grants must fall within the four sectors that the Foundation funds, these are: arts, education, health/medicine, social welfare and development. The Foundation will make grants to organisations with a charitable purpose which are registered and working in the UK. National organisations may also be supported. The Foundation will provide funds for capital costs of buildings and equipment, salaries and other project costs, a reasonable contribution to overheads, general running or core costs, general appeals, endowments, retrospective funding, projects which have already started, repayment of debts, desk research, options, appraisals, feasibility studies. Further details are available from www.raynefoundation.org.uk.

Refugee and Asylum Seeker Young People Programme

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has extended its Fund for Refugee and Asylum Seeker Young People until September 2007. Originally set up in 2003, it is intended to give a sharper focus to the complex issues facing this group and encourage projects which help the most vulnerable 11-18 year olds to become integrated in mainstream provision. The Fund also aims to build capacity within the organisations that represent these young people and to support the development of best practice wherever possible. The next deadline for outline applications is 29 September 2006. Further details are available from www.phf.org.uk/refugee&asylum.htm.

(Source: www.fundinginformation.org)

Steps to New Music Scheme

The Performing Right Society Foundation (PRSF) and the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) have combined to launch a new funding programme designed to encourage music composition for dance. The Steps to New Music Scheme will focus on new music for dance of any genre in contemporary style. Collaborative creativity between composers, choreographers and dancers is strongly encouraged with the composer being integral to the creation of new work. The launch of the initiative is in direct response to the recommendations in the Dance Review conducted by the Welsh Assembly’s Culture Committee. Potential applicants should contact Einion Dafydd, Senior Arts Development Officer (Music), at The Arts Council of Wales on 01492 533 440, e-mail einion.dafydd@artswales.org.uk.

Microsoft: Community Learning Awards

Nominations are now open for the Microsoft Community Learning Awards. Citizens Online and Microsoft are joining forces for a fourth year to provide grants of £2,500 and software to be put towards an IT project in The Microsoft Community Learning Awards (MCLA). Deadline for applications is 27 September 2006.

Further information is available at: http://www.ukcommunityawards.com

Section four: Other news and resources

WAG: Positive Welsh Baccalaureate review

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Jane Davidson, welcomed the publication of the External Evaluation of the Welsh Baccalaureate Pilot scheme. The evaluation, undertaken by a team based at the University of Nottingham, recommends that the Welsh Baccalaureate is suitable to be rolled out across Wales for pupils in post-16 education.

A total of 31 schools and colleges are taking part in the Welsh Bac pilot scheme. The report notes the way in which the Bac has broadened the curriculum for students, given them the opportunity to achieve the Key Skills, which employers and Higher Education Institutes say that they want and closely follows the structure of the 14-19 reforms in Wales. For more information of the Welsh Bac please visit www.wbq.org.uk

Pyramid: New DVD and online film about the Pyramid Scheme

'Pyramid: What is it?' is a short film in which children, parents, teachers and club leaders all talk about their personal experiences and the direct benefits Pyramid has had on their lives. The Pyramid’s website states that the scheme is currently running in 5 local authorities in Wales: Cardiff, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Powys and Torfaen.

Watch the film: http://www.nptrust.org.uk/Download_files/National%20Pyramid%20Trust.wmv

CRC Cymru: Children and Young People’s Research Network for Wales

CRC Cymru is a new research and development infrastructure for Wales and represents the National Assembly's response to the establishment of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC). The Children and Young People’s Research Network aims to:

encourage and develop all aspects of research for the benefit of children and young people in Wales
providing advice and expertise in research work with children, young people and their families
linking practitioners, policy makers, academics and service users
setting the agenda for medium and long term strategic priorities
promoting Wales in the UK, European and Global research communities

To find out more contact: Jennifer Shepherd, Co-ordinator, Children and Young People’s Research Network for Wales Tel: (029) 2034 2434 Fax: (029) 2034 3134 Email: jennifer.shepherd@childreninwales.org.uk or visit http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=580&pid=14594

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Subscribers' details are stored on a ContinYou database and we may contact you regarding the development of new projects or programmes or to inform you of other events, products and services that we think may be of interest.

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