Youth Work Week Conference & YouthLink Scotland AGM

Diary Date – Wednesday 3 November 2010

News posted: 24-Aug-2010

The national Youth Work Week Conference and YouthLink Scotland AGM will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 November.

This conference will be a partnership event with Scottish Government, LTS, Young Scot, HMIE and the Scottish Youth Parliament around the theme of ‘Youth Voices’ which will also link into Curriculum for Excellence and pupil inclusion.

The programme will include Ministerial input, keynote speakers and round table presentations and discussions on a variety of examples of good practice associated with listening to and acting upon the views and voices of young people. The keynote address will be led by Dr Jonathan Sher, Director of Research, Policy and Programmes at Children in Scotland, which will focus on the recent research carried out by Edinburgh University on Pupil Councils in Scotland.

This conference is sponsored by Scottish Government which has enabled us to offer significantly subsidised places for our members.

• Members of YouthLink Scotland - £15.00 plus VAT (£17.63)
• Non-members - £40.00 plus VAT (£47.00)

Booking online will be available from tomorrow on the YouthLink Scotland website.

Contact: Susan Symington, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | Book Online ]

Scottish Learning Festival

Diary Date - 22 & 23 September 2010

News posted: 20-Aug-2010

YouthLink Scotland and its 18 youth work partners had a significant presence at the 2009 Scottish Learning Festival. The Youth Work Village, the seminars and discussion groups all helped to raise the profile of the sector.

The Youth Work Village was clearly visible within the hall, it was custom built and significant efforts were made to ensure appropriate fittings, publicity and promotional materials were available. An evaluation meeting of partners was held on the 26 May 2010 and the majority of partners felt that it was good value for money.

The Youth Work Sector stand is in a prime location, immediately in front of LTS. Measuring 9m X 5m, we have the opportunity to have our drop-in café and information area where we can talk to prospective partners.

Download a diagram of how the stand will look.

The theme for the stand is 'So You Think You Know About Youth Work' A website will be developed to support the theme in the coming months.

Contact: Margaret McLeod, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

VOCOG Conference

Diary Date - 7 to 8 October 2010

News posted: 16-Aug-2010

Members of VOCOG are invited to attend a 24 hour conference which will be held from lunchtime on 7 October to 8 October 2010 at the Boys' Brigade Headquarters, Carronvale House, Larbert.

Book online here.

Contact: Ian Hay, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

Making an Impact: CLD Case Studies

News posted: 7-Sep-2010

A series of 15 case studies which demonstrate the impact of Community Learning and Development on achieving agreed local and national outcomes is now available from the Scottish Government website.

[ website ]

Skills for Work at Sgoil Lionacleit

News posted: 2-Sep-2010

Education Secretary Michael Russell recently opened a purpose built facility that will see more work based courses offered to young people in Uist and Benbecula.

The new building at Sgoil Lionacliet will allow a wider choice of vocational courses to be taught, including skills such as crofting and traditional boat building which are directly relevant to the local economy.

[ website ]

Minimum Alcohol Price Named

News posted: 2-Sep-2010

The proposed minimum price for alcohol will be set at 45p.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that saving lives, saving money and saving future generations from the 'harm and misery caused by alcohol misuse' are just some of the benefits alcohol minimum pricing could bring. She said that introducing a minimum price of 45p per unit would have significant health and social benefits including in the first year:

• 50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm
• 1,200 fewer hospital admissions
• A £5.5 million reduction in health care costs
• 22,900 fewer days absence from work.

After 10 yeas, benefits would increase to:

• 225 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm annually
• 4,200 fewer hospital admissions annually
• An £83 million reduction in health care costs over the 10 year period.

The Scottish Government will table an amendment to the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill to introduce the 45p price. The Bill is about to start the 2nd stage of the parliamentary process.

[ website ]

Children's Panel Recruitment

News posted: 1-Sep-2010

Can you help fix the cracks in a child's life?" is the question being asked of the public as a new campaign to recruit Children's Panel members kicks off.

The campaign was launched by Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram seeks new volunteers to come forward to make decisions for Scotland's most vulnerable children and young people.

This year's campaign runs from 1 September to 1 October and aims to generate over 400 successful applications from the right type of individual - a person who can make the commitment and has a strong desire to help improve the life of a child.

[ website ]

Planning Advice on Community Engagement

Giving People Their Say on Planning

News posted: 31-Aug-2010

Updated advice that focuses on ensuring communities can effectively engage in the planning system has been published by the Scottish Government.

The document encourages engagement with communities from the earliest possible stage to enable views to be reflected in development plans and on individual proposals.

[ website ]

HMIE Newsletter

News posted: 30-Aug-2010

This issue focuses on the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence, which is now well underway across Scotland's education sector.

Through case studies and interviews with education professionals, this edition spotlights examples of emerging good practice in the pre school, primary, secondary and college sectors, as well as in learning communities.

[ website ]

Crofton Award

£1500 in prize money available for youth groups tackling tobacco

News posted: 30-Aug-2010

The Royal Environmental Health Insitute of Scotland (REHIS), in partnership with ASH Scotland, has opened applications for the 2010 Crofton Award, the only award that recognises the achievements of young people in reducing tobacco and smoking related harm in Scotland.

With prize money of £1500 to be shared between two groups, this unique award contributes towards the development of new ideas and innovation by and for young people themselves.

Contact: ASH Scotland, Tel: 0131 220 9465 [ e-mail | website ]

A Scottish Wave of Change

News posted: 26-Aug-2010

A Scottish Wave of Change is about people bringing about change. Scotland and international connectionsd and exploring the potential of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

It will create forums of discussion, debate and action, it will explore what kind of Scotland, society and communities we want to see in the future, through imaginative activities including volunteering, participation in events and community action.

A Scottish Wave of Change will encourage people to create their own stories and futures. This will reflect Scotland in the 21st century - diverse, creative, positive and outward looking. It will also explore how we make this happen.

A Scottish Wave of Change will produce a range of material to aid thinking, imagining and doing. It will be a mass imagination project, opening up and democratising the debate about the future and involving story competitions and commission, events and a final project book that will provide a lasting legacy beyond 2012.

Contact: Volunteer Development Scotland, Tel: 01786 479593 [ e-mail | website ]

The Wave of Friendship Volunteer Programme

News posted: 26-Aug-2010

The Wave of Friendship is a volunteer programme that promotes and supports the exchange of volunteers between Scotland and London by the provision of bursaries to cover travel, accommodation and other expenses.

Volunteers can choose any opportunity that takes place between now and September 2012 that demonstrate the values of the Olympics movement; Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Courage, Determination, Equality and Inspiration. Suitable opportunities are likely to be for a set time, rather than an ongoing commitment and could include providing support for an event, carrying out an assignment or volunteering for a fixed period of time.

The application process is easy and successful applicants receive bursaries of up to £500 to cover their costs.

The programme will provide a great opportunity to gain experience of volunteering in another part of the UK, participate in different communities, meet new people and share experiences with others. Participants will also play an active part in developing the volunteering legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Contact: People Making Waves, [ e-mail | website ]

Checking It Out

A Consultation with Children and Young People on a Draft Framework for Children and Young People's Mental Health Indicators

News posted: 26-Aug-2010

This report highlights findings from a consultation undertaken with specific groups of children and young people in order to inform the development of the framework for the children and young people's mental health indicators being established by NHS Health Scotland.

Commissioned as part of a wider consultation on a draft framework, this work included groups of children and young people whose views on what impacts on their mental health appear to be absent or poorly represented in previous research.

[ website ]

Introduction to Safety and Disclosure for Intergenerational Activities

The Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice Autumn Seminar Series

News posted: 26-Aug-2010

FREE events aimed at those interested in creating opportunities for generations to work, learn and play together are being held from 30 September to 16 November across Scotland. The aim of the events is to discuss safety issues, outline disclosure and dispel myths and discuss safety and disclosure in relation to intergenerational activities.

• 30 September - 2pm to 4pm - Stornoway
• 5 October - 9.30am to 11.30am - Hamilton
• 5 October - 2pm to 4pm - Glasgow
• 2 November - 10am to 12pm - Kirkcaldy
• 4 November - 2pm to 4pm - Arbroath
• 9 November - 2pm to 4pm - Dumfries
• 16 November - 2pm to 4pm - Inverness
• 23 November - 4pm to 6pm - Kilmarnock
• 25 November - 10am to 12pm - Greenock

Contact: Centre for Older Person's Agenda, Tel: 0131 474 0000 [ e-mail | website ]

Association for Young People's Health Annual Conference 2011

News posted: 25-Aug-2010

The Association for Young People's Health is holding their next annual conference in Edinburgh on 1 March 2011 with support from Health Scotland.

The event will focus on how we can all improve outcomes for young people in particularly challenging or vulnerable circumstances.

Get in touch with AYPH if you would like to be involved or showcase your work at this event.

Contact: AYPH, Tel: 0207 022 1885 [ e-mail | website ]

Protection of Vulnerable Groups

Draft National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland

The Scottish Government is consulting on revised guidance on child protection, to replace the 1998 guidance Protecting Children – A Shared Responsibility: Guidance on Inter-Agency Co-operation.  Website

Closing date: 17 September 2010

Consultation on Extending the Coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Consultation seeking views on whether FOI legislation should be extended to cover private organisations that deliver a public service, such as the building and/or maintenance of schools and hospitals; privately managed prisons; the building, managing and maintenance of roads; trusts created by local authorities for the provision of leisure and culture; Glasgow Housing Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. Website

Closing date: 2 November 2010

Speak Up For Rural Scotland

The Scottish Government is consulting on the views and proposals of the Scottish Government's Rural Development Council. The consultation paper explores how best rural Scotland could contribute to the creation of a more successful country through sustainable economic growth, and how to face up to the challenges of the 21st century. Website

Closing date: 25 October 2010

Arts Snippets

The Playground Unsigned Music Competition. To enter the Playground unsigned band competition, UK-based bands have to create a profile on Playground’s website community, add their music and invite friends to join and vote for them. The most popular track wins 1st prize - a recording deal worth £10,000 with an internationally respected producer - and the next most popular wins 2nd prize - a single recording deal and PR and marketing package worth £5,000.

The deadline for entries is 4 October 2010.

BAFTA Youth Mentoring Scheme. After it success down South, BAFTA and Media Trust are bringing their youth mentoring scheme to Scotland. Established two years ago, the scheme gives youth project leaders access to media professionals in the film, TV and games sectors. The scheme is open to media and filmmaking projects targeted at disadvantaged young people aged 13-25. Participants will enjoy the benefits of mentorship from a pool of leading industry practitioners, including filmmakers, directors and producers. For more information email: louise@mediatrust.org

Masterclass with Eric Booth. 24 September, Glasgow. FREE master-class opportunity for artists who work in education or community settings to sign up for a dynamic training day with Eric Booth, a world leading arts and creative learning consultant from the USA.

For one day, after the Scottish Learning Festival he has offered to lead a group of teaching artists, on a participatory exploration into:

• Discovering principles for creative learning
• Your own strengths and weaknesses in applying your creativity in a learning setting
• Planning for your creative learning sessions.

Participants will be sent some reading material before the workshop to prepare for maximum impact on the day. Email Petrea.Cooney@creativescotland.com for more information.

Take One Action! 2010 Youth Festival - Edinburgh & Glasgow from 14 to 30 September 2010. The UK's first film festival dedicated to active global citizenship. The festival celebrates Scotland's global connections - from Malawi to Pakistan - and explores global challenges in which Scotland has a vital role to play. Film screenings in the festival's Youth Programme are linked to many of the outcomes and experiences within the Curriculum for Excellence. All screenings will be accompanied by activities, resources and advice designed to support and encourage ongoing learning and projects.

Working with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and EU Nationals

Glasgow, 29-Sep-2010

This one day course examines the rights of migrants under UK and European Law. Participants will be briefed on all the fundamental issues such as barriers faced by different groups and their respective entitlement to services, and provided with up-to-date knowledge on the housing, employment and welfare entitlements of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and EU national.

(Prices range from £125 to £220)

Contact: PAIH, Tel: 0141 353 2220 [ e-mail | website ]

Community Engagement: Working with Communities, Including BME Groups

Glasgow, 30-Sep-2010

This course will show participants the key steps to help their organisations to effectively engage with everyone in their area of operation, particularly with those communities who are historically under-represented or less likely to participate as members, workers or service users. This session will help identify the key barriers to engagement as how to overcome them and will allow participants to apply their knowledge to practical case studies which will assist in their day-to-day working environment.

(Prices range from £125 to £220)

Contact: PAIH, Tel: 0141 353 2220 [ e-mail | website ]

Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Children and Young People

Edinburgh, 5-Oct-2010

This one-day workshop acknowledges that anyone working with children and young people will be aware of the importance of promoting mental health to achieve an overall sense of wellbeing and aims to explore how this can be achieved. It will discuss how participants can be more aware of issues relating to mental ill-health and how to promote positive mental wellbeing.

The workshop will consist of a mixture of presentations, group discussion and audio visual materials. It will explore aspects of mental health and wellbeing and give some practice-based examples of work in this area including sessions on listening skills and other practical techniques non-specialists can use to offer understanding and support.

The workshop is aimed at interagency staff who work with children and young people in general settings rather than specialist mental health settings.

(Prices range from £90 to £145)

Contact: Children in Scotland, Tel: 0131 222 2426 [ e-mail | website ]

Thriving in a Downturn: How to Diversify your Income

Edinburgh, 5-Oct-2010

How reliable is your current funding? This course will help you find ways to make your organisation financially sustainable, including a look at diverse income sources, contracting and trading.

(Prices range from £108 to £145)

Contact: SCVO , Tel: 0131 474 8019 [ e-mail | website ]

Pfizer UK Foundation Symposium

Glasgow, 6-Oct-2010

The Pfizer UK Foundation want to provide delegates with an opportunity to learn, network and share experiences. The presenters and audience are inspirational people who are at the sharp end of community health provision.

The FREE event will showcase groups supported by the Pfizer UK Foundation who have demonstrated effective and successful partnership approaches in their project working. Through these presentations, delegates will gain a better understanding of what they need to do in their own setting to facilitate collaboration particularly in areas where local inequalities are pronounced. The focus will be in the context of how the third sector and NHS can work together.

Contact: Pfizer UK Foundation, Tel: 01227 378842 [ e-mail | website ]

Meeting the Best Interests of Children Facing Homelessness

Edinburgh, 7-Oct-2010

The Scottish Government has now published the delayed statutory guidance on Meeting the Best Interests of Children Facing Homelessness. Shelter Scotland is running this half-day training event to look in more depth at the policy and practice implications of this new guidance and also provide an overview of where the guidance sits in relation to homelessness legislation and the 'Getting it Right For Every child' (GIRFEC) agenda. The training event will be relevant for all sectors that work and support families with children who are facing homelessness.

(Price: £90 plus VAT - reduced rates available for community/voluntary organsiations)

Contact: Shelter Scotland, Tel: 0344 515 2477 [ e-mail | website ]

First Light - Young Film Fund

The UK Film Council's Lottery funded filmmaking initiative for 5 to 19 year olds

Posted: 27-Apr-2010

Provides grants to projects that allow young people to participate in all aspects of film production. Three separate funds total £700,000 - the script grant provides up to £3,000 to scriptwriting projects that team up young people with professionals; the pilot grant offers funds of up to £5,000 for young people to shoot one short film and the studio grant provides up to £30,000 for projects producing multiple films.

Grants are on offer to schools, youth groups and voluntary and community groups working with young people aged five to 18. To apply, projects must have a track record of film-making with young people.

The deadline for applications is 15 October 2010 with decisions being announed on 15 November 2010.

Contact: First Light, Tel: 0121 224 7511 [ e-mail | website ]

Pfizer UK Foundation

Posted: 2-Sep-2010

Established in 2005 to address health inequalities across the UK arising from social, economic, cultural and demographic factors. It support community based projects that tackle health inequalities which fall outside core NHS statutory funding. The aim is to support projects providing tailored, innovative, modest and local solutions to needs defined by local healthcare and social care experts, community groups and charities.

In Scotland, the Foundation has supported 31 healthcare organisations through £755,000 of investment.

The Board meets three times a year to consider submission, assess application and make funding decisions. The next deadline for applications is 26 January 2011.

Contact: Pfizer UK Foundation, Tel: 01737 332713 [ e-mail | website ]

Yorkshire Building Society

Community Investment Fund

Posted: 30-Aug-2010

Created to have a positive impact on local communities in which the Society operates.

Support is focused on local communities through a combination of financial giving, voluntary activities, linking/working with community groups and enterprises (e.g. schools, sports clubs and local authorities).

Contact your local branch of the Yorkshire Building Society if you think the Fund could make a different to a community group or project in your local area.

In seeking to ensure they cover as wide an area as possible, the grants are limited to small amounts - usually no more than £300.

Contact: Yorkshire Building Society, [ website ]

Yorkshire Building Society

Charitable Foundation

Posted: 30-Aug-2010

Established as the focal point for all Yorkshire Building Society's charitable giving. The Foundation supports charities and good causes throughout the UK.

The priority is to support registered charities involving anyone who is vulnerable, people suffering hardship and the provision of support for services used by sectors of the community (e.g. community centres).

The maximum grant is £2,000 although the emphasis is on smaller donations.

Contact: Yorkshire Building Society, [ website ]

Project Worker (2 x Edinburgh 2 X Fixed Term Contract for 2 years)

Action for Children – Youthbuild

Job posted: 2-Sep-2010,   application deadline: 13-Sep-2010

Salary: 37 hours per week £18,538 - £22,043
Edinburgh Ref. SCO/127B
Glasgow Ref. SCO/127A

Youthbuild assists young people aged 16-19 years who experience disadvantage in accessing training and sustainable employment in construction. We work with young people who can’t find a job because they’re involved with offending, alcohol/drug use, or they’re in care etc. We assist them to find employment through a combination of training, support and work experience on a live site. Project Worker’s provide daily support for our young people, using a key worker system. You’ll design, develop and deliver the group work programme, liaise with employers, contractors and external agencies. With an understanding of local external service provision, you’ll know how it can be used to support young people. Ideally with experience in a similar setting, you’ll bring great communication skills, a flexible manner and an ability to build strong, trusting relationships with young people. You’ll have good IT skills and a full driving licence and car would be an advantage.

Closing Date: 13 September 2010

Contact: Lynn Reynolds, Tel: 0131 661 1354 [ e-mail | website ]

SVQ Level 2&3 Consultation

17 to 26 August 2010

Click here for the SVQ Youth Work qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3 intended to replace the existing qualifications. They have been developed by an Expert Working Group representing the statutory and the voluntary sectors in Scotland with support from LLUK. As yet they have not been mapped or signposted to core skills, and will also be credited and levelled after they have been consulted upon.

Please submit comments using the accompanying form found at the back of the document, preferably electronically. The consultation period is 17 to 26 August 2010 inclusive. Deadline for receipt of comments is 12 noon on 26 August 2010. We apologise for the short consultation period over the latter part of the summer.

Please return your consultation responses electronically to kay@learning-etc.co.uk. Alternatively, mail your response to Kay Kew at the following address: Riverside, Ramsey Road, Ramsey Forty Foot, Cambridgeshire, PE26 2XN. LLUK would like to receive as many responses to this consultation as possible, so please feel free to pass on the consultation to other colleagues as appropriate.

CPD Strategy Consultation

CLD Standards Council for Scotland

CPD Strategy Statement

The new CPD Strategy Statement from the Standards Council is now available for comment.

The strategy statement sets out the base line requirements for meeting the aspirations of an informed and capable workforce in CLD for Scotland. The CLD Standards Council invites and welcomes contributions that will enhance and sharpen the vision.

[ e-mail | website ]

Upskilling Fund

LLUK

Phase 2 of the CLD Upskilling Programme 2010/2011 is expected to encompass the following milestones.

Milestone 1: Support to Community Learning and Development Partnerships.

Milestone 2: National programmes addressing three national priorities:

• to facilitate learner journeys through the use of the SCQF and outcome-focussed recognition of learning
• to target and work with the most disadvantaged learners
• to lead and manage in collaborative contexts

Milestone 3: Workforce and CPD Intelligence.

Phase Two of the fund is not yet in place, and development officers to support the funding are still being recruited. YouthLink Scotland's Voluntary Sector Youth Work Training Forum recently fed in comments with respect to Phase One of the programme and voluntary sector involvement.

For more information on the Upskilling Funding Programme as it develops, contact Moira Stewart, Programme Manager at LLUK.

Contact: Moira Stewart, [ e-mail ]

Youth Work Training Calendar

Over the past few months YouthLink Scotland has been scoping the feasibility of a Youth Work Training Calendar, which will highlight and promote day-to-day youth work training on offer across the country - follow the link above for more information.

The project has received positive feedback and a Sample Calendar has now been produced. It is important to note that the sample calendar is for illustrative purposes only, as a prototype. Any logos and potential kite-marks are not currently valid, and course descriptions, learning outcomes, etc may not be accurate.

To receive a copy of the Sample Calendar, please contact  Jennifer Alexander, who is aiding in the development of the project. Also, if you have an interest in promoting your training through the Calendar , please contact Jennifer as below.

Contact: Jennifer Alexander, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]