Children's Workforce Development Council's remit announced

Oxfordshire Children and Voluntary Youth Services has received substantial funding from the Children's Workforce Development Council over the past three years. CWDC has received their remit letter from the Department for Education, which outlines their work activities for 2011/12.  Activities include
completing work to develop and deliver the framework for the development  of apprenticeships for working with young people at levels 2 & 3 that was  started under the Young People’s Workforce Reform Programme.  CWDC  will continue to support and embed integrated working across the wider workforce and disseminate good practice.  There is no specific funding  allocated to support the voluntary and community sector to engage in  workforce reform and no continuation of what was the Workforce Strategy Partners Programme.  More information.

http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/assets/0001/1784/Remit_letter_28_March_2011.pdf

This will impact on our delivery to our members in the short term but we hope to source other pots of funding for this work.

Inquiry into Services for Young People

The fourth evidence session of the Education Select Committee Inquiry into
Services for Young People took place on the 30 March 2011. The committee
heard oral evidence from representatives from NCVYS members, including
Adam Nichols, Changemakers and Gill Millar, Learning South West.  The first
panel was to examine the composition and effectiveness of the young
people’s workforce, including the recruitment, training and qualification
framework for youth workers and other staff working with young people,
including volunteers.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-az/commons-select/education-committee/news/services-for-youngpeople-oral-evidence-session3/

Funding for short breaks

Short Breaks Small Grant Programme 2011/2012
The aim of this funding programme is to support voluntary and statutory organisations to set up small projects or activities to support disabled children, young people and their families. Short breaks enable parents and carers to do day to day activities, have time for themselves and the rest of the family and are therefore less likely to need access to crisis support. Furthermore, it gives disabled children and young people an opportunity to take part in fun and challenging activities, while learning new skills and socialising with their peers.
Funding applications can include:

·        Small innovative projects supporting disabled children and young people

·        Holiday playschemes and other activities

·        Information and support to families

This is a rolling funding programme and applications will be assessed on a monthly basis to allow greater flexibility for groups and families. Applicants will be notified of the decision by the end of the month after the application has been submitted e.g. applications submitted in April will have a decision by the end of May. The maximum funding that can be awarded is £5,000. Criteria, instructions and application form can be obtained from OCVYS, email anna.day@ocvys.org 

New projects funds opening up more youth spaces.

UnLtd launches the Spaces 4 Change Awards in partnership with Channel 4.

Previously the UnLtd 4iP Awards, the Spaces 4 Change Awards now have a different focus which does not involve digital media and a much broader theme. They are looking for innovative ideas that unlock unused or under-utilised spaces for young people aged 16-25. Spaces that can be used to practice their cultural, creative or sporting passions. 

The Awards are open to individuals over 16.

What is available?

32 Awards of up to £5,000 for individuals or informal groups across all regions to set-up and run their own project

Who can apply?

Applicants must be:

Aged 16 or over

Living in the UK

Applying as an individual or an informal group

How do I apply?

Please visit the website at http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=217&PageName=spaces4changeawards to complete an online application form.

For more information, email Shamiela Ahmed on shamielaahmed@unltd.org.uk or call 0121 766 4570.

EMA consultation goes ahead

Following the Government's announcement yesterday about the replacement for EMA - Bursary Fund for the most vulnerable and a Discretionary Fund to be allocated by colleges and learning providers - I attach a link to the DofE Consultation pages.
http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=conDocument&consultationId=1754&menu=1
Young people, providers and stakeholders are being asked for feedback on the proposals so you may like to provide some feedback.The consultation deadline is 20th May.


Let us know your comments and we'll feed them back. Email us on anna.day@ocvys.org

Tackling youth unemployment

The UK Commission for Employment & Skills have published an enquiry titled
‘Employers perspectives on tackling youth unemployment’. The report is available
at www.ukces.org.uk/our‐work/strategy‐and‐performance/the‐youth‐inquiry/