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January 2015
News: January 2015
Welcome to LVSC News - January 2015
Dear Colleague,
With just 96 days to go to the General Election, LVSC is keen to ensure the sector is up to date with key policies and statements from all political parties. We want to share the sectors views, manifestos and statements on our over-arching themes of poverty health, education and employment. LVSC want you to have this information so that you can talk to your local MPs and political figures and ensure that they are hearing the voice of the voluntary and community sector. We will focus on a key policy area in each bulletin and our team will ensure that information is posted on the website. Please join in the debate. Send us your organisation's manifesto or key statements; give us your feedback and comments; and let's make a difference to the future of our sector. Email
Eithne
Eithne Rynne
CEO Policy Pick of the MonthLisa Greensill LVSC Head of Policy and Sector Support 's pick of the month news items.Report of the Commission on the Future of Local Infrastructure
On 20 January, the report from the Commission on the future of local infrastructure was launched by Nick Hurd MP. The Commission is making 19 recommendations, as well as an overarching recommendation that local infrastructure needs to be redesigned and creatively resourced to meet future challenges.
The 20-strong Commission was chaired by Sara Llewellin, Chief Executive of Barrow Cadbury Trust, and included independent members from the private, public and voluntary sector, and urban, city and regional perspectives. It met between April and December 2014 and took over a quarter of a million words of evidence from local groups, infrastructure organisations and national experts. The starting point for the Commission was how local infrastructure will meet the ever-growing demand for support with shrinking resources.
The Commission found that infrastructure will be needed in some form as long as people come together to form voluntary organisations and community groups, but concluded that infrastructure in the future is likely to be a much leaner enabler, broker and catalyst rather than service deliverer.
In commenting on the report Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said:
'It is worth being frank about the challenges set out in this comprehensive and timely report. There are simply no easy answers to many of the issues identified. However. I believe that NCVO and Navca have a responsibility to do what we can to support infrastructure organisations as they face these challenges, so we will convene a series of discussions on the future shape of infrastructure. We will explore the full range of options to create a sustainable future. Reform is undoubtedly necessary."
Do you support victims of Crime?
Andrea Farley-Moore - LVSC's Policy and Project Manager (Crime and Justice) is collating a list of London-based organisations, who work to support victims of crime. It covers all forms of crime including domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls. The 'victim' aspect doesn't need to be your sole function and can be part of a range of support services you offer. If you would like to be sure you are on this list, please email andrea@lvsc.org.uk with organisation name, your contact details and no more than a paragraph about your service.
In December Andrea attended the launch of 'Suffering in Silence', an APPG report into children and unreported crime - a worthwhile read.
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 - an overview
The Act requires commissioners of public services to think about how they can provide wider social, economic and environmental benefits in addition to cost in their procurement processes.
There is a government website that provides: guidance, support for commissioners and providers, case studies.
The story so far
LVSC is running an event with an exclusive focus on social value on 25th February from 9:30 am - 1pm.
Title: 'The Social Value Act - are we there yet?'
We will look at:
Book on Social Value Act - are we there yet? At your fingertips: datasets and indicators training - Public Health England
Public Health England is to deliver two workshops through LVSC. The training aims:
One workshop is for VCS Healthwatch reps on Health and Wellbeing boards and the other is specifically for London for All members, AND the wider VCS in London.
More information and registration:
Contact Sandra van der Feen, LVSC for more information:
Contact Deirdre McGrath, LVSC for more information:
5 VCS organisations receive funding on outstanding teaching, learning and assessment project
49 applications were received from providers across London applying to deliver operational projects for the Outstanding Teaching, Learning and Assessment Project (OTLAP). We are delighted to report that out of the 20 organisations awarded funding, 5 were voluntary sector providers.
Category: Operational projects focusing on English and literacy, including ESOL Category: Operational projects focusing on 16-19 study programme
The project focuses on improving teaching, learning and assessment within the London education and training sector. The project has been commissioned and funded by the Education and Training Foundation and is being delivered jointly by AoC London, HOLEX, LWBLA, LVSC and NIACE .
New case law - spotlight first on Twitter
The first Twitter case to face the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held that dismissal for offensive, non-work related comments on a personal Twitter account is potentially fair.
It found that the Tribunal, which had held that dismissal was unfair, had failed to take account of the public nature of Twitter. Although the employee's account did not specifically link him to his employer, the EAT referred to the fact that his account was followed by 65 of the Respondent's stores and that a local store manager had complained.
Based on the EAT guidance and perhaps stating the obvious, relevant matters in that regard are:
Learning from the Young Review's recommendations
The launch of the new Transforming Rehabilitation Contracts in April 2015 will see some of the biggest changes to services for offenders in a generation, with consortium of private and voluntary sector providers giving packages of support from prison into the community and delivering these services to offenders with sentences of less than a year.
Will these new structures and interventions improve outcomes for black, Asian and minority, ethnic (BAME) offenders who experience some of the poorest outcomes across the offender population?
Baroness Young's report on improving outcomes for black and/or Muslim young male offenders has refocused attention again on the challenges of this agenda.
The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and LVSC are hosting a one-day event to explore the issues, share learning and glean any pointers from the Young Review. What are the specific challenges in London and the South East? How should the new providers and statutory bodies respond?
LVSC/London for All's London Health Inequalities report
The report of our recent Health Inequalities event (held on 29th October 2014) has now been finalised and published to the LVSC site.
One of the key aims of the event was to explore the mechanisms and levers to enable the VCS, policy makers and commissioners to work more effectively together to reduce health inequalities; achieve better health outcomes; and ultimately effect change.
The recommendations are on pages 15 -18, including LVSC and London for All (which includes the HEAR Network) activities to address some of the issues and gaps raised.
London for All' is a London Councils' funded project designed to build the capacity of London's voluntary and community sector. As a partnership project, led by LVSC, it offers: insight and learning from a collective 200 years' experience: and the practical applications of that knowledge. London for All can strengthen your organisation's knowledge and skills, work more effectively and efficiently, deliver more accessible services to support service users better.
January 2015 - Update
Planning for year 3 of the project is well underway and we have an exciting programme of activities in the coming months. Check out the website for details of training and events ranging from 'Using the Equality Act 2010' to planning a new website initiative; The Social Value Act to HR support on Family Friendly Working. Visit the events section of the London For All website
Introducing the Equality and Diversity Forum
The Equality and Diversity Forum commissions research; produces leaflets; responds to consultations; and holds events about equality and human rights.
LVSC is a delivery partner in the roll-out of EDF's equality and human rights framework.
Get to know EDF's resources and sign-up to the forum bulletin.
London For All - Online Resources
Events, training and opportunities as well as resources are available on the London for All website.
Community Voices for Health (CV4H) Network Roundtable
Last opportunity to register: Monday 9th February from 2 pm - 5 pm
Help us shape our future health priorities, how we can co-produce with University College London Partners (UCLP), the wider VCS and the key health sectors and priorities in London. The overall aim of the roundtable is to identify possible areas for co-production between the CV4H, the public, private, academic and the voluntary & community sectors on health and care issues in London leading a half day health event on 16th April. The roundtable discussion is aimed at Community Voices for Health network members, public sector bodies and the wider VCS.
The Social Value Act - Are we there yet? London for All/LVSC
Date: Wednesday 25 February 9am - 1pm
Venue: Voluntary Action Islington, 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP . View on Map
The Public Services (Social Value) Act became law in April 2012. The Act places a requirement on commissioners to consider economic, environmental and social benefits of their approaches to procurement before the process starts. But what is meant by 'social value' and what are the implications for VCS and the people they work with?
At your fingertips: datasets and indicators training - Public Health England
This training is aimed at London for All members, as well as the wider VCS in London.
Date: Monday 2 March from 9.30am - 12.30pm
The objectives of the training are to:
Numbers are limited and early booking is recommended. In order to take part, you will need to bring a laptop as we only have a limited number of laptops available
Contact Deirdre McGrath LVSC for more information: Deirdre@lvsc.org.uk
Update on Family Friendly WorkingDate: Thursday 5 March, 10am - 1pm This half-day seminar is part of our programme of HR training for London for All and will look at the recent and upcoming changes to Family Friendly Working. These will include;
This workshop will be run by Shirley Briggs.
Please note HR training provided through London for All is for VCS employers only.
Learning from the Young Review - recommendations
Date: Thursday 26 March 10am - 3.30pm
Venue: Voluntary Action Islington, 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP View on Map
The launch of the new Transforming Rehabilitation contracts in April 2015 will see some of the biggest changes to services for offenders in a generation, with consortiums of private and voluntary sector providers giving packages of support from prison into the community and delivering these services to offenders with sentences of less than a year.
BTEG and LVSC are hosting a one-day event to explore the issues around the launch of the new Transforming Rehabilitation contracts in April this year - share learning and glean any pointers from the Young Review.
Attendees will be able to:
The event is free, but spaces are limited so must be booked in advance.
For further information contact:
At your fingertips: datasets and indicators training - Public Health England
This training is aimed at VCS Healthwatch reps on the Health & Wellbeing Boards
Date: Friday 27 March, from 10 am - 1 pm
Venue: Voluntary Action Islington, 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP View on Map
The objectives of the training are to
Numbers are limited and early booking is recommended. In order to take part, you will need to bring a laptop as we only have a limited number of laptops available.
Contact Sandra van der Feen, LVSC for more information:
LVSC Management and Personal Development Courses - February 2015Happy People - the personal development division of Happy delivers LVSC's management and personal development courses. To make any bookings, you can call the team at Happy on 020 7375 7300. Below is the list of training for February.
*Prices denote the lowest rate (for charities with 15 staff or under). For larger charities please visit the website for a correct rate.
Funding uncertain for residential drug & alcohol treatment
8,000 people per year go to rehab says recently published report from Public Health England
Funding opportunity #domesticviolence
This month has seen the publication of the tender for Domestic Violence services by MOPAC. The deadline is the 6th February 2015.
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies Conference: Police corruption, spying, racism and accountability. UK policing in the 21st century
Dates: 6 to 7 February
Venue: Conway Hall in Central London
The purpose is to seek common ground between families, community workers, journalists, academics, lawyers and affected communities in understanding and challenging the problem of police corruption, spying and racism. Speakers include Dame Doreen Lawrence, Imran Khan, Professor Ben Bowling, Lee Jasper, Mark Thomas, John McDonnell MP, Sukdev Reel, Janet Alder, Suresh Grover and Helen Steele. The full programme is available on the registration page
Behind closed bars: Sex in prison
Date: Tuesday 17 March 2015, 9.30am-3.45pm
Venue: The King's Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN
This one-day conference will explore the issues and problems around sex in prison. There is currently little reliable evidence on both consensual and coercive sexual activity in prisons. This conference will shine a spotlight on sex behind closed bars and the implications for prisoners, health practitioners, prison staff, policy makers, criminal justice professionals and the wider community. It will explore why a mature approach to consensual sex in prison is needed and why sex in prison should be seen within the wider agenda of public health.
Cold Homes Week - a call to action
The Energy Bill Revolution is the biggest ever public campaign to end fuel poverty. It includes an alliance of 200 major charities, businesses and unions. Cold Homes Week, launched in February 2014 to raise awareness about the suffering of the fuel poor and to get the support of politicians to make UK homes super energy efficient, is back this February
Support this campaign on Monday 2nd February with a #ColdHomesWeek tweet; or join the mass MP emails; or take and upload selfies in scarves -more here
Applications for Influencing Change - Employment Justice 2015 now open
Influencing Change - Employment Justice is a five-day learning programme, spread over five months, which supports London based individuals and community organisations to influence public policy by improving their campaigning skills, specifically with regard to employment justice issues.
For more information and how to apply visit the Sheila McKetchnie website.
(Female) Evaluation and Engagement Officer
Contract: Permanent
Salary: NJC Scale 22-25 £23,116 - £25,033 per annum (inc. London Weighting)
Working hours: 35 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
The job may involve working out of hours on rare occasions
To increase the voice of survivors in the development of Advance's services and increase access to those services through the development of a range of methods by which we hear the feedback of survivors of domestic abuse read more Closing Date: 12.00pm 4th February 2015
Business Development (Trusts & Foundations) Manager - for user voice
Want to lead the growth of a young and innovative charity through charitable grants? Have you got a real passion for our values and an ability to generate income? Find the full job description, person specification and application details here.
United Way UK is recruiting a Business Development & Partnerships Manager
This role has been newly created to directly support the CEO of United Way UK. As a new role in a new organisation, it will develop and grow with the successful candidate and we are seeking someone who will make this job their own. The successful candidate will be excited by the size of this opportunity, willing to get involved in all areas of our work and entrepreneurial in spirit. The right person will bring ideas, creativity and a willingness to develop the systems needed to do their own job and for the charity as we grow.
Full job description is posted on the website. Please email with any questions, or a send a CV & covering letter to apply before the 6th February.
Looking for 18-24 year olds interested in sales and management positions
Champions SE is a social enterprise that raises money for charity through their programme that offers training and employment for 18-24 year olds. It has opportunities for 180 young people each year and its promotion structure means that young people can gain management experience whilst taking nationally recognized qualifications (endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management).
Currently looking for unemployed young people, who given the opportunity would be a hard worker with a desire to learn (18-24 year olds). This campaign is for sales and management positions and there is an information meeting on 3rd February that all interested must attend. We are hoping to recruit 45 applicants via 2 campaigns in February. Contact cian@championslifeacademy.com
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LVSC, 200a Pentonville Road, London N1 9JP Tel 020 7832 5830 Email info@lvsc.org.uk
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