1. THE NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN YOUTH WORK IN
DEVON AND PRODUCED BY VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES
Issue 5 – MAY 2010
The Department for Education CONTENTS
Devon News and Job Vacancies
This has replaced the Department for Children, Events
Schools and Families (and with it a new website Training Courses
http://www.education.gov.uk/). The new DfE will Publications and Resources
continue to cover the same services as the Grants / Awards / Competitions
DCSF, but Michael Gove, who has been National News & Information
appointed as secretary of state in the
Department for Education, has admitted that the
focus of his department has shifted to education Youth Unemployment
from wider children's services issues. Other
ministerial posts include: Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan
♦ Tim Loughton MP - Parliamentary Under Smith has highlighted the need to prioritise
Secretary of State for Children and Families. tackling youth unemployment in the
♦ Sarah Teather (Liberal Democrat MP) - government's reform of the welfare system.
Minister of State for Children and Families. He was speaking just days after the
♦ Nick Gibb (Tory MP) - Minister of State for Queen's Speech, which outlined plans for a
Schools. He has five years' experience Welfare Bill that aims to simplify the
dealing with education policies for the benefits system. The news follows the
Conservatives, first as shadow education announcement made earlier that the
minister, then as shadow minister for schools. government is to scrap the Future Jobs
♦ New peer Jonathan Hill has been appointed Fund set up by Labour.
as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-
Schools. Bulletin/news/1006426/?DCMP=EMC-
For more information on ministerial DailyBulletin
appointments see:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-
news/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840.
VYS, YFC Centre, Retail Park Close, Marsh Barton Road, Exeter EX2 8LG
Tel / Fax: 01392 250976 E-mail: admin@vysdevon.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 1054442
www.vysdevon.org.uk

2. JOB VACANCIES - Visit the VYS website which is updated with new
vacancies on a regular basis – see http://www.vysdevon.org.uk/page/jobs
14+ Learning and Skills Strategic Team – on 1st April all functions previously carried
out by the LSC with respect to 16-19 education and training transferred either to local
authorities or the Young People’s Leaning Agency (YLPA). Local authorities have the
central commissioning role for all education and training for young people aged 16-19, up
to 25 with learning difficulties, and for those young people in youth custody aged 10-18.
The role of the YLPA is to support and enable local authorities to carry out their new
responsibilities by providing national frameworks to support planning and commissioning,
ensuring coherence of commissioning plans, securing national budgetary control,
managing the national funding formula, supporting the local, sub-regional and regional
infrastructure and providing strategic data and analysis. Devon County Council has set up
a new 14+ Learning and Skills Strategic Team to take on this work across the county, with
the team headed up by John Peart. There will be 4 area LSST partnerships and VYS will
be looking at how the Third Sector is represented on these.
Active Devon has launched a Club Accreditation Support Programme designed to
support clubs that are working towards Clubmark accreditation. This brings together a 6
month package of intensive development support which is designed to support clubs that
are working towards Clubmark accreditation.
http://system.newzapp.co.uk/EditSite/Customers/6846/nz-docs/DCTMAYActiveDevon.pdf
Badge Design Competition - To celebrate the success of the Devon and Torbay
Vinvolved team and all the young volunteers who have shared their time, skills and
enthusiasm to help others they are launching a Badge Design Competition that is open to
16-25 year olds. The promotional badges are given out at events to promote volunteering
to young people aged 16-25 and they have had the same badge design for the last 2
years and feel like it’s time for a change. They are looking for badge designs that can be
made into button badges to give away when they are promoting youth volunteering at
colleges, youth groups, events, festivals etc. The design has to either have the letter V or
use the words `volunteer’ or `volunteering’. Winners receive high street vouchers!
Deadline is 22nd June. For more details see http://www.vysdevon.org.uk/news/1924
Devon Children’s Trust Bulletin – the latest issue can be found at
http://system.newzapp.co.uk/GPage.asp?LID=OSwxMzYxODE4ODk=
Devon’s Teenage Pregnancy and Young People’s Sexual Health Action Plan is being
refreshed to cover the next three years and priorities will include:
♦ Improving access to a range of young people friendly quality assured contraception and
sexual health services across Devon
♦ Ensuring that there is a consistent minimum standard of SRE agreed for schools,
colleges and community settings
♦ Ensuring that staff who work with young people have access to training on sex and
relationship issues
♦ Developing communications and marketing, promoting key messages and effective
partnership communication
♦ Commissioning targeted intervention work for those vulnerable young people at
greatest risk.
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3. Don’t Stop Me Now! is the title of the Extended Services Disadvantaged Subsidy in
Devon that provides financial support to make out of school activities a reality for all
children and young people in Devon. It was piloted in North Devon and Tavistock last year
and this year is being rolled out across the county and will run until August 2011. It offers
up to £300 per eligible young person (up to the age of 18 and registered for free school
meals or in care) and the aim is to provide access to the activities that the young person
wants to take part in, not just what it is convenient to provide. The funding can also be
used to help with transport to the activities (particularly useful in rural areas). The money
can be used for arts, drama, music etc as well as sports. Off school site activities are
preferred by young people and taster days have proved popular. Those working with
children and young people should encourage eligible families to register for free school
meals so they can access this subsidy and so help ensure that the funding is used though
there is a need to manage expectations as the scheme is currently for one year only. For
more information ring 01392.381661 or email schoolsextendedservices@devon.gov.uk
Exeter Unitary - the Coalition Government announced in The Queen's Speech its
intention to introduce an urgent Local Government Bill revoking the Parliamentary Orders
for planned unitary councils in Exeter and Norwich. The new Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, described the unitary plans as
“wasteful and unnecessary”. The Leader of Devon County Council, Councillor John Hart,
has already made it clear he would like an early meeting with Exeter City Council to
discuss the way forward and how together DCC and the City Council can deliver genuine
improvements and efficient public services during what will be a very challenging time.
Get into Construction – this is a scheme for those who are 16-25, unemployed and
interested in a career in the construction industry. It offers a free training
programme where they can:
♦ get experience working on a construction site and learn about careers and
prospects within the construction industry, including potential job opportunities and
apprenticeships
♦ gain the CASKS card – a requirement for working in the construction industry, and
the Abrasive Wheels certificate
♦ improve teamwork and communication skills and boost confidence, interview skills
and CV at the same time
Get into Construction is aimed at young people interested in a career in this sector or
going on to college or training. The programme is FREE including transport and all
participants will be offered a progression mentor for up to six months following the
course. For further information contact Lea Kennedy on 01752.831555 or email
Lea.Kennedy@princes-trust.org.uk
North Devon Young Fathers Network Lottery Success - In North Devon, a new
scheme to help vulnerable young dads, aged 14 to 25, and their children, aged five and
under, is set to receive over £251,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. It will use the funding to
provide a confidential outreach support and information service to provide professional
mentoring. The scheme will work to ensure that young fathers across the region will have
the skills, resources and confidence needed to father their children successfully. Jane
Kivlin Children's Centre Manager said: “Young fathers are some of the most invisible,
marginalised and vulnerable parents in the area. Yet most young fathers wish for close
involvement with their children, whether or not they are still in a relationship with their
child’s mother. It has been shown that even from birth, children who have an involved
father are more likely to be emotionally secure, be confident to explore their surroundings,
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4. and, as they grow older, have better social connections with their peers. Children with
involved fathers are less likely to get in trouble at home, school, or in the community and
are more likely to perform better at school.”
Safeguarding Update Issue 2 from the Devon Learning and Development Partnership is
now available and includes lots of information including a resource pack on young
runaways. See http://www.devon.gov.uk/sc-mar1010003.pdf
Sport Unlimited - Devon has been awarded £520,000 over three years
to co-ordinate a programme for activities for children aged 5-19. Partners are required to
create a menu of opportunities or ‘framework’ for young people to take part which are
time and place sensitive and outside of the curriculum. There is currently a focus on the
11 years to 19 years age range with a particular focus on the 16 years to 19 years group.
http://system.newzapp.co.uk/EditSite/Customers/6846/nz-
docs/DCTMAYSportUnlimited.pdf
Voluntary Sector funding from the Devon Youth Service – VYS (Devon) is no longer
providing funding to its network members through its grant process and applications for
either infrastructure support or for Local Youth Network training money will need to go
direct to the youth service. Details of the application process is yet to be determined but
for further information at this stage please contact Dave Rafferty on 07815906943 or
email dave.rafferty@devon.gov.uk
Volunteer Activity Management Programme (VAMP) - Over the next year the CVSs
across Devon will be offering a programme of Volunteer support to small and medium
VCOs within rural and ‘hard to reach’ communities. The aim of the programme is to work
with the lead volunteer support person in each organisation to build their skills and
capacity and their ability to link with the appropriate support services. This is a Devon
Consortium initiative funded by Capacity Builders and co-ordinated by Torridge CVS in
North Devon. For further information and to register interest please contact your local CVS
or Volunteer Centre.
V Schools in Devon – vschools is a national initiative, designed to support all secondary
schools in England to increase the breadth and diversity of community action and
volunteering opportunities available to 14 – 16 year olds. It was launched in March and
aims to inspire all young people in England, aged 14 to 19, to play a positive and active
part in their communities – completing at least 50 hours of community action by the age of
19. There are School Advisers who will be working with secondary schools to review their
existing community action programmes, and to propose new and creative ways to engage
students in activities which will benefit the whole community. In addition they will also be
helping schools access the vschools website at http://vschools.org.uk. This secure online
website has been created for school staff working with 14 to 16-year-olds. It will enable all
students to log their community action and volunteering hours and gain a vfifty recognition
award. It will also enable community organisations to promote relevant volunteering
opportunities which could take place within schools, or out of school hours. The website
also contains resources and guidance to support schools in developing community action
projects with students. If you have any knowledge or you yourself can provide any
volunteering opportunities for 14-16 year olds, or if you currently work with any local
schools then the two Devon advisers would be glad to hear from you. Abby Buckley
(07889 408160 abby.buckley@vinspired.com) is the vschools Adviser for Torbay and the
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5. South East of Devon and Katherine Read (07889 410037 katherine.read@vinspired.com)
is covering Plymouth and the North West of Devon.
Youth Opportunity/Youth Capital Funds – the application form for funding for 2010/11
is now available. See
http://www.devonyouthservice.org.uk/docs/youthopportunityappform.pdf
VYS NEWS & DATES
VYS Annual General Meeting – this is being held on Tuesday 22nd
June with refreshments from 6.30pm and the key speaker will be Dave
Rafferty, the Principal Youth Officer for DCC. Nominations are being
sought for the Officers and Executive of VYS and a nomination form is
available from the VYS office.
EVENTS
6th June Safeguarding & Protecting Children – a training course from Active Devon
primarily aimed at sports groups and being held in Tavistock. Protect yourself and the
young people you are coaching by understanding and following good coaching practice.
Learn about child abuse and how to handle situations if you have concerns.
www.activedevon.org/courses.asp?section=00010001000600080001&itemTitle=Courses
7th June Celebrating Trustees - If you are a trustee or thinking to becoming a trustee
you are invited to attend the launch of ‘Celebrating Trustees’. This event is being run as
part of Volunteers’ Week and will run from 8.00 - 10.15am at Reed Hall at the University
of Exeter. The campaign is designed to raise the profile of trustees to ensure that trustees
are supported and receive the training they need, and help organisations recruit trustees.
The launch is an opportunity to welcome trustees, value them and to hear from them what
they want. This is a Total Support event being piloted through Exeter CVS – trustees from
across Devon are welcome to attend. For details contact Julia Dinsdale email
julia.dinsdale@exetercvs.org.uk or ring 01392 202055.
9th June Young People and Money is a free one day course funded by the Financial
Services Agency and is for all frontline staff and volunteers who work with young people
(aged 16-24) who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of
becoming NEET. It is being held in Plymouth with lunch provided. For details contact
Rebecca Coleson 020 8597 2900 or email RebeccaColes@lifelineprojects.co.uk
9th June Safeguarding Children Conference – the University of Plymouth is holding its
third safeguarding children conference with the focus this year on physical abuse and the
development of evidence-based practice to develop the safeguarding of children. For
details ring 01752.586005 or email pde@plymouth.ac.uk
15th June Anti-Bullying Event - Over recent years, the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) has
become increasingly aware of how bullying in the wider community can impact on the
well-being of children and young people. To support local practitioners with the new DCSF
Safe from Bullying guidance on tackling bullying in a range of community settings, the
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6. TDA has organised this conference to be held in Taunton. The event will give delegates
the opportunity to work together to explore issues and practice related to anti-bullying
work in their settings. For details contact vicky@southwest-rc.co.uk or see
http://www.vysdevon.org.uk/news/1946
22nd June Tendering for Services: preparing & presenting your bid - Winning
contracts has never been easy – especially when you have to produce a first class,
compelling tender document that will make your organisation stand out from its
competitors. A good proposal may not necessarily win a contract – but a poor one will lose
it in an instant. This course from Cascade Training is being run in Taunton and aims to
equip managers with the skills and knowledge they need to address issues vital to the
process of responding to tenders and local and regional public organisation procedures
for new and existing services. For details see www.cascadetrainingplus.co.uk
22nd June Vetting and Barring - James Evans, partner and Head of Charities and Social
Enterprise at Foot Anstey Solicitors will present a workshop on the new Vetting and
Barring Scheme at South Brent 10.00 - 1.00. For details contact South Hams CVS on
01803 862266 or email: cvs@southhamscvs.org.uk
23rd June AXS04 Managing a Seamless Service – being held in Exeter, this course is
for Level 3 practitioners and frontline managers who provide specialist services to children
and young people. The course is to raise awareness and understanding of the Integrated
Working tools and processes available to ensure seamless support in working across all
levels of need for children and families; to gain an awareness of the role and
responsibilities of level 3 workers; and to ensure managed handovers where families
identify a need for further support when level 3 services are due to end. For details call
Sarah Batten Coe on 07783 882950 or email admin@integratetraining.co.uk
23rd June A Journey Into the Unknown? This South West Forum Conference, being
held in Exeter, on the future of the VCS in the South West is for anyone from the
voluntary or public sector interested in shaping the future of the community and voluntary
sector in the South West. Deborah Alcock-Tyler, Chief Executive, Directory of Social
Change, will speak on the Future of Support Services and Neil McInroy, the Chief
Executive of Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), will speak on Localism and
Sustainability. There will be workshops on Support Services; Localism and Sustainability;
Using Social Media Effectively; and Social Return on Investment. For details contact
Georgie Constable at georgie@southwestforum.org.uk
24th June Commissioning and the community sector: Challenges, changes and
opportunities for children and young people's services – this is an event from NAVCA
being held in London. See http://www.navca.org.uk/events/commsector.htm
6th July Strategic Planning for Trustees & Senior Managers – this is an event from
Cascade Training being held in Taunton. This ‘masterclass’ programme has proved very
popular since it was introduced last year in response to a growing demand from trustees
and senior management in the Voluntary & Community Sector for help in developing a
framework for charting the future direction of their organisations. It is intended to offer
participants a rare chance to spend time standing back from the day-to-day demands of
running their organisations to look at the opportunities and challenges which may present
themselves in the future. For details email lauren@cascadetrainingplus.co.uk or see
www.cascadetrainingplus.co.uk
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7. 14th July Improve your influence: 'Voice' one day workshop - 'Voice' is a discussion-
based tool specifically designed to help community organisations and networks explore
what 'influence' is, assess their current influence and plan how to increase their influence.
This FREE one day workshop, being held in Taunton, explores 'influence' with exercises
for individuals, pairs, small groups and everyone together. Following the principles of
'Voice', the session focuses on discussion as a way to learn more about each other, the
organisation you work for and the work you do which has an impact on communities. For
details see http://www.vysdevon.org.uk/news/1922
13th July Full Cost Recovery: from theory to practice - This course from Cascade
Training is being held in Exeter and is designed principally for non-accountants with
limited, if any, knowledge of FCR. It should enable participants to grasp the underlying
theory of the FCR process and apply it to their organisations in a practical way, with
particular reference to the preparation of funding bids. For details email
lauren@cascadetrainingplus.co.uk or see www.cascadetrainingplus.co.uk
15th July Involving Young People in Recruitment & Selection Training is being held in
Taunton. This one day session will share the learning from the recruitment and selection
toolkit, produced as part of the CWDC participation project. The toolkit contains case
studies and best practice from across the South West on how to fully involve young
people in the recruitment and selection process and a series of activities to train young
people to take part in recruitment of staff. The day aims to deliver a ‘how to’ guide on
involving young people in the recruitment process. The cost of the day is £65 and this
includes copy a of the Toolkit for you to take away on the day. Closing date for
applications is 21st June. For details contact Jane Shipton on 01823 365441 or email
jane_shipton@learning-southwest.org.uk
16th July Introduction To Environmental Youth Work - This event from ETN is being
held at Stourport-upon-Severn and is aimed at environmental professionals, community
development personnel and youth workers who are new to or have limited experience of
environmental youth work. It will examine what motivates young people, outside the
formal education system, and how to involve them in environmental activities and
sustainable development initiatives. It will look at a number of approaches, including
working partnerships between environmental and youth organisations, and activities to
use with young people when engaging them in environmental projects. For details ring
0121 359 2113 or email ETN@btcv.org.uk
20th July Developing Effective Group Work with Young Mothers Training Day – this
is a training event being held in London from UK Youth. The course is aimed at those
working with groups of young mothers who wish to offer them structured short skill-based
programmes in a supportive group work environment. The programme is suitable for
training paid staff, adult volunteers and young people who may be acting as leaders or
peer educators. It will explore the opportunities and challenges involved in developing
work with young mothers in the context of government agendas. The course will cover the
basic elements of planning and a group learning programme based on the interests and
needs of young mothers, with the aim of building their confidence and self-esteem.
Contact Charmaine Simpson on 0845 862 0432 or charmaine@ukyouth.org or see
http://www.ukyouth.org/whatwedo/Training+Calendar/gwyoungmothers
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8. Winning the Contract is a free online
TRAINING public procurement course helping small
organisations bid for public sector
Advanced Apprenticeships and contracts. The course takes place online
Foundation Degrees - The Children’s and takes a maximum of four hours, to be
Workforce Development Council completed at your convenience. Deadline
(CWDC), as part of the Youth Workforce for completion 26th July. See
Reform Programme, have set up a www.fundingcentral.org.uk/eventview.asp
number of pilot schemes around the x?WCU=DSCODE%3dOTSEVENT%2cE
country. These schemes are about new VENTID%3d260-E338
entry routes and training opportunities.
The routes are built on a common
platform of shared skills and PUBLICATIONS
competences and focus on promoting
integrated ways of working. There are 3 AND RESOURCES
strands:
♦ A Graduate Recruitment Scheme Capacity Manager is a new tool from
♦ Foundation Degrees ACEVO's Income Generation team to
♦ Advanced Apprenticeships help third sector organisations manage
Devon, in a consortium with Torbay and spending on their overheads effectively. It
Young Devon, have been funded to can be used to examine all the main
deliver two strands; the Foundation types of overhead costs and can help
Degrees and Advanced Apprenticeships. judge the effectiveness of spending in
For more details see different areas of business. It can assist
http://www.vysdevon.org.uk/news/1945 managers in benchmarking their
spending against similar organisations
De Montfort University Course - and can be used to make a case to
MA/PGDip Youth Work and Community funders and commissioning bodies to
Development is a part-time distance support investment.
learning course that develops innovative, http://www.capacitymanager.org.uk/
progressive practitioners who reflectively
engage with concepts and practices of Developing Skills for the Future is a
social justice and equality. It is new free to download resource produced
professionally validated by the NYA and by NIACE, designed to offer guidance to
recognised by the Joint Negotiating practitioners across the youth sector, to
Committee (JNC). support them in working together to
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/course/youth-work- develop young adults' literacy, language
and-community-development-1321. and numeracy skills. See
http://shop.niace.org.uk/developing-skills-
Funded Level 3 Volunteer Manager future.html
Training – Bursaries are available for
this Level 3 Volunteer Manager Training Glimpses: youth work and spirituality
through Capacity Builders. There is is an activity pack from the NYA in
funding for 60 learners in the South West association with the Frontier Youth Trust.
but there is a deadline of 30th June for It has been designed to help youth
bursary applications. Training will be held workers and others working with young
in Exeter and Plymouth For details ring people develop their spirituality and
ViSTA on 0845 358 0372 go to ensure that spirituality becomes an
www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/vmpskills integral element of the work they
undertake with young people. It can be
used in a variety of settings and ways.

9. For details see www.nya.org.uk or email information.
sales@nya.org.uk http://www.safenetwork.org.uk/help_and_
advice/Pages/safe_events.aspx
Neglect matters: a guide for young
people about neglect is a guide from Sport Unlimited Safeguarding Support
the NSPCC for young people aged 11-17 Toolkit - The NSPCC has published this
years explaining what neglect is, how to toolkit to help ensure that all children and
recognise it, who can help and what you young people engaged in Sport Unlimited
can do about it. activities are effectively safeguarded. It
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/publicatio provides background information on
ns/neglect_matters_wda70741.html safeguarding and introduces the
mandatory safeguarding standards, in
Parent Channel TV has a selection of addition to examples of child protection
mini-videos that can be watched by policies, procedures and good practice
parents or by practitioners working with guidance.
parents, on all sorts of subjects, with http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/cpsu/nsss
signposting to relevant national /sport_unlimited/sport_unlimited_wda740
organisations and sites. You can browse 33.html
by age group (there is a 14-19 section) or
by subject and it is completely free. The 50 Best Games for Building Self-
There are over 70 videos on the site now, esteem is a pocket handbook of games
with more in the pipeline, and the suitable for young people of all ages and
response so far from practitioners and youth groups of any size. They are fun,
from parents' groups has been very thought-provoking and endeavour to
positive. See www.parentchannel.tv increase young people’s self confidence
and encourage empathy. Other titles in
Puberty and Sexuality for Children and the series focus on concentration, self-
Young People with a Learning awareness and perception. See
Disability – this award winning teaching http://www.hintonpublishers.com/
pack is available FREE. It has been
developed to be taught to learning Understanding social media jargon -
disabled children and young people The Social by Social website has a useful
between the ages of 9-18 years old. It is jargonbuster section, helping you to crack
acknowledged however that depending the terminology used around new
on the age and the cognitive ability this technology, and social media.
may vary. It has been designed to include http://www.socialbysocial.com/book/jargo
the needs of children and young people nbuster-0
with severe learning disability to deliver
extensive knowledge appropriate to this Young Runaways Education Resource
group but equally comparable to their The Children's Society has launched this
mainstream peers. It can be used with online education tool for schools to help
both individuals and groups of children. prevent young people in the UK from
To get a copy email the Centre for HIV & running away. It aims to help teachers
Sexual Health admin@chiv.nhs.uk or and youth workers to warn young people
download from about the dangers of running away and
www.sexualhealthsheffield.nhs.uk/publica looks at the support networks available to
tions/index.php those young people at risk.
http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/whats
Safe Network Resources – there is a _happening/media_office/latest_news/20
section on the website on ‘keeping 237_pr.html
children safe at events’ with lots of useful
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10. GRANTS/AWARDS/COMPETITIONS
Clothworkers' Foundation - it aims through its funding to improve the quality of life for
people and communities facing disadvantage. Two of its priority areas are
‘encouragement of young people’ and ‘social inclusion’. It funds capital but not revenue
costs. http://www.clothworkers.co.uk/Grant-Making/Main-Grants-Programme-and-Small-
Grants-Programme.aspx
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation – The Main Fund aims to fund the charitable activities of
organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. It likes to
consider work which others may find hard to fund, perhaps because it breaks new ground,
appears too risky, requires core funding, or needs a more unusual form of financial help
such as a loan. 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 and the average grant size is £50,000. See http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/
Live UnLtd (UK) – young people aged 11 – 25 can apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to
start up their own business, sports teams, recreational groups and host events. Live
UnLtd will also offer support to help with the running of the project. For details go to
http://www.liveunltd.com/
Police Property Fund - Devon & Cornwall Police Authority has teamed up with Devon
Community Foundation and Cornwall Community Foundation who are to manage the
Police Property Fund, which has been set up with money raised from selling goods
recovered by the Police which can’t be returned to their owners. Money from the Fund will
be used to make small grants to local community groups helping the Police to tackle local
community issues like making local areas safer and reducing anti-social behaviour and
the fear of crime. The Fund includes £10,000 for immediate grant making in Devon and
further annual grants will be made from income generated from the Fund. Any groups
from Devon interested in applying for a grant should visit www.devoncf.com or contact
Kathy Beechen on 01884 235887 or email kathy@devoncf.com Closing date 30th June
Reaching Communities programme - The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has introduced a
series of improvements to this scheme, designed to make it easier for groups to apply,
with the application process simpler and more support throughout the process. Grants will
be awarded for projects that: offer people better chances in life; build strong communities;
develop improved rural and urban environments; and create healthier and more active
people and communities. http://www2.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities
The Big Challenge is a competition for 16-25 year olds with a chance of winning a share
of £65,000 along with support to set up your own community project. The project just
needs to inspire other young people and involve volunteers. For details and online
application see www.bigchallenge.org.uk and you can also find information on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfmoq6XneAA. Deadline is 6th July.
Virgin Media Shorts is a short film competition that champions undiscovered talent. The
competition is open to filmmakers and gives them the chance to show their work in
cinemas, on TV, online and on mobile (via the mobile internet). The deadline for entries is
the 28th June. http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/pages/about/

11. NATIONAL NEWS AND VIEWS
The Coalition: our programme for government – this is the document outlining the
plans that the coalition have agreed on. Key measures that affect children and young
people include:
♦ National Citizen Service: a programme for 16 year-olds to develop skills needed to
be active and responsible citizens
♦ Under-25s claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance to be referred to the Welfare to Work
programme after a maximum of six months
♦ Introduce a scheme that will pay independent providers to reduce re-offending
♦ Improve the quality of vocational education, including increasing flexibility for 14–19
year olds and creating new Technical Academies as part of the government’s plans
to diversify schools provision
♦ Promote devolution of power and greater financial autonomy to local government
and community groups
♦ Help schools tackle bullying, especially homophobic bullying
♦ Ensure a stronger voice for patients locally through directly elected individuals on
the boards of their local primary care trust (PCT)
♦ ContactPoint Database to be scrapped
♦ A pledge to review the criminal records and vetting and barring regime and 'scale it
back to common sense levels'
Section 14 applies to families and children and lists a range of priorities. See
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/
digitalasset/dg_187876.pdf
The Big Society programme has been launched by the Government and aims to reform
society by taking power away from politicians and giving it to people. Details of the
programme include:
♦ Communities are to have a greater say over their local planning system and new
powers to take over and run public services;
♦ A new generation of community organisers will be trained to help support
neighbourhood groups, while a Big Society bank will provide new finance for
neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other non-governmental bodies
(not just youth facilties as planned by the Labour government)
♦ Regional spatial strategies will be abolished, with decision-making powers on housing
and planning returned to local councils;
♦ A full review of local government finance and a general power of competence for
councils will be introduced, aimed at transferring greater power to local government
level;
♦ Measures to encourage people to volunteer include the launch of a national Big Society
Day and the introduction of National Citizen Service for 16 year olds; and
♦ Mutuals, cooperatives and other third sector bodies will be supported to have greater
involvement in running public services, while public sector workers are to be given the
right to form employee-owned cooperatives to take over the services they deliver.
♦ A commitment to "renew and refresh" the Compact between the public and voluntary
sectors
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2010/100518-news-big-society-
launch.aspx
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12. The Queen's Speech set out the new government's proposed programme of legislation.
There are 23 bills and of particular interest to the youth sector are:
♦ Education and children’s bill. Allows schools greater autonomy over what they
teach. The primary focus is in introducing the ‘pupil premium’ for disadvantaged
students.
♦ Academies bill. Allows more schools to become academies, giving them more
freedom from Whitehall and local education authorities.
♦ Welfare reform bill. Simplifies the welfare and benefits system and improving work
incentives
♦ Health bill. Introduces ‘the devolution of power and responsibility to doctors and
patients’.
♦ Police reform and social responsibility bill. Makes the police more accountable
through directly elected individuals. It will also ensure health and safety laws do not
stand in the way of ‘common sense policing’
♦ Public bodies (reform) bill. Cuts the number of quangos, with a view to saving
£1bn a year.
♦ Decentralisation and localism bill. Gives more power to councils and
neighbourhoods. Also gives residents the power to instigate
referendums and veto excessive council tax increases.
♦ Freedom (great repeal) bill. Restores freedoms and civil liberties and repeals
‘unnecessary’ laws.
♦ Identity documents bill. Abolishes the identity card system and destroys the
national identity register.
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/queens-speech-2010-3-50297
Department for Education cuts - The DfE has been instructed to make £670m efficiency
savings. Scaling back education quangos will account for £80m cuts. The closure of
Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) has already
been announced, saving £10m this year. Cuts in other education quangos include:
♦ £15m from the Children's Workforce Development Council
♦ £16m from the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services
♦ £30m from the Training and Development Agency for Schools
♦ £1m from The School Food Trust
♦ The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency will have its budget
reduced by up to £8m this year
♦ The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) budget will be cut by £20m
However the DfE has announced that frontline funding to schools will be protected, and
money allocated to individual school budgets for 2010-11 will not be affected by the
reductions; 16-19 core participation funding will be maintained in 2010-11 and there will
be £50m of Government investment in Further Education colleges, and £150m to fund
50,000 new apprenticeship places.
Comprehensive Area Assessments (CAA) are to be scrapped as part of the
government’s bid to cut back local authority inspections. CAA was introduced last year
with an aim of making inspection more efficient so that councils would need to be
inspected less.
Moratorium on the work of all government quangos and arm's length bodies – the
DfE has instructed agencies including Cafcass, the Youth Justice Board and Ofsted not to
make any announcements, sign contracts or publish policy or corporate documents until
the new government ministers have settled on their "priorities". In the coming weeks new
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13. ministers will consider how they will take forward their priorities and are not currently
considering submissions or accepting advice which has not been requested. Other
agencies affected by the freeze of business include the Training and Development
Agency for Schools, the Children's Workforce Development Council, 11 Million, the
National College for Leadership in Schools and Children's Services, Partnerships for
Schools, the Young People's Learning Agency, Becta and the School Food Trust.
The Third Sector has been abolished - The Office for the Third Sector is to be re-branded
as the Office for Civil Society and a wholesale re-jig of public policy is underway. Nick
Hurd is the new Minister for Civil Society, having been in a shadow role for the last 18
months. He will be responsible for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations
in the Cabinet Office. He has announced that Government policy will focus on three
fundamental issues:
♦ Making it easier to run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation;
♦ Getting more resources into the sector: strengthening its independence and
resilience; and
♦ Making it easier for sector organisations to work with the State.
Number 10 said that radical reform of public services was needed and third sector
organisations were one means by which to improve outcomes and reduce the national
debt. Primary legislation is not expected, but public services markets would, in appropriate
areas, be opened up to allow third sector organisations to bid to run public services.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2010/100518-hurd.aspx
Youth justice and the Youth Justice Board will now be the sole responsibility of the
Ministry of Justice. Previously it was split between the Ministry of Justice and the
Department for Children, Schools and Families. Conservative MP Crispin Blunt is to be
the new minister responsible for youth justice. The news has provoked concern within the
sector. Rob Allen, a former member of the YJB, described the change as a retrograde
step. "Any effective measures to deal with youth crime require the active input of support
for families, schools and social services. The Ministry of Justice has no leverage over
those." http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/20/114543/ministry-of-justice-to-
take-control-of-youth-justice-board.htm
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS
Consultation on access to contraception and advice for young people - The National
Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published draft guidance which
aims to ensure all young people can access contraceptive services at convenient,
accessible locations such as schools and youth clubs. The draft guidance also includes a
number of recommendations to help all young people obtain the full range of
contraception methods. Open for public consultation until 23rd June and final guidance is
expected in October 2010.
www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/pressreleases/2010053ImprovingContraceptiveServices.jsp
Consultation on safe outdoor play - The National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE) is consulting on 'Preventing unintentional injuries among under 15s:
outdoor play and leisure draft guidelines' which aims to equip organisations working with
young children with the advice and safety information needed to keep children safe. The
guidance also outlines the risks involved with playgrounds, skate parks, canals, fields and
farmyards and advises on how best to avoid accidental injuries associated with these
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14. outdoor play areas. See http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/1003839/. Deadline for
submissions is 13th July.
Equality Act – this received royal assent in April with most of the provisions expected to
come into force in October 2010, although the coalition government may hold back on
some of them. The Act as passed will replace all of the existing equality legislation and
cover the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and
civil partnership, race (which includes colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins),
religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, as well as pregnancy and maternity. The Act
is intended to simplify the law, sort out the disparities between the different discrimination
"strands", extend some existing protections, and introduce new protections. Charities will
continue to be able to restrict benefits to people who share a protected characteristic, if
this is in line with their charitable instrument. But under a new provision, they will be able
to do this only if it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim or is intended to
prevent or compensate for a disadvantage. Organisations may need to review their
equality and diversity policies and procedures and harassment procedures to ensure they
will comply with the new legislation when it comes into effect. The Office of the Children’s
Commissioner for England has published a briefing which explores what the new Act
means and provides the Children’s Commissioner’s view on how the Act will impact on
children and young people in relation to the age discrimination measures.
http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_402
Internet safety - The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has
published research which finds that more than one in five young people aged 11 to 16 are
sharing personal details such as their full name, where they go to school and photos of
themselves, with strangers online. The research was based on a survey conducted
among 1,700 11 to 16 year olds in the UK.
http://cats-rp.org.uk/pdf%20files/Internet%20safety%20report%204-2010.pdf
Staying Positive is a self-management programme for young people living with long-term
health conditions. The programme is run by young people (aged 15-25 years) who are
also living with conditions. It consists of workshops designed to build confidence, skills
and social support. Activities cover key issues including communication with doctors and
nurses, medication and treatment adherence, socialising, relationships, feeling down and
depressed, transition and independence. See www.staying-positive.co.uk
Young People’s Participation - CLG has published the Citizenship Survey 2008/09 and
headline findings include that 24% of young people aged 16 to 25 participate at least once
a month in formal volunteering, while 38% take part in informal volunteering.
You’ve got the Right is a programme from the Children’s Rights Alliance for England,
aimed at empowering children and young people under 18 in England to take action to
uphold their rights. The programme includes free children’s rights training so if you would
like to host a training event go to www.crae.org.uk/protecting/advice.html
DISCLAIMER – VYS (Devon) accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure details are correct, VYS (Devon)
cannot endorse events or items mentioned in this newsletter
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