Outcomes of the Youth Opportunity Fund/Youth Capital Fund – The DCSF have published second phase evaluating of the Youth Capital Fund and Youth Opportunity Fund. The aim of the evaluation was to establish whether giving young people decision making powers in their local communities led to an increase in the quality of positive activities available and the levels of participation by young people in these. A good practice guide has also been published alongside the other documents. To read more click here.
Youth Sector Support Arrangements – The DCSF has published
findings from the Call for Evidence on Youth Sector Support Arrangements launched in January 2008. The consultation does not show a clear consensus for having a single-sector leading agency given the diversity of the sector. There is clear recognition that current arrangements are confusing and overlapping on the key issues such as quality assurance and workforce development. However it is also clear that real value is placed on the support networks at both a regional and local level, and that respondents did not want to see this disappear.
Local Area Agreements – I&DeA has updated its resources on Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements, bringing all its LAA and LSP information together in one place, making it easier for anyone involved in LAA delivery to find the information they need.
Focus on London 2008 – this web-based resource has a range of demographic, social and economic data, providing a statistical portrait of key issues facing the capital. It includes population and economic data, labour market, income, poverty health, housing, environment, transport, crime, education and local government information.
Diploma update - In August, Ofqual published the line of learning criteria for Diplomas in Public Services, Retail Business, Sport and Active Leisure, and Travel and Tourism. Awarding organisations will now begin to develop qualifications in line with these criteria. Those qualifications that meet the required criteria will be accredited in July 2009, for first teaching in September 2010. Criteria for the Diploma Phase 3 lines of learning can be accessed from here.
14-19 National Campaign Update - The slides on the 14 - 19 Reform Communications were produced by Young People Directorate at DCSF to update key stakeholders on the national 14 - 19 marketing campaign.View the slides here.
Management of Volunteers National Occupational Standards 2008 – These National Occupational Standards define the whole spectrum of activities involved in the “Management of Volunteers” and will help you to carry out this role effectively.
Youth Work and Social Networking – The National Youth Agency has been looking into the role that Youth Work can play in supporting young people to make the most of opportunities through online social networking, while avoiding potential risks. The interim report is now available on their website.
Changing economic circumstances in childhood – this study, which is published by the Department of Work and Pensions, has explored the link between changes in income and child outcomes in early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence.
Tackling youth crime – 13 local authority areas in London are being offered a share of £56.5 million to tackle youth crime. Islington, Barking and Dagenham, Lambeth, Hackney, Greenwich, Southwark, Hammersmith and Fulham, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, Camden, Newham, Lewisham and Croydon are among the 69 areas being offered a cash injection to prevent and tackle youth crime. The funding is a major milestone in the delivery of the Youth Crime Action Plan, which aims to tackle youth crime through early intervention, non-negotiable support and tough enforcement.
Poor children face greater health problems – A new report by the Campaign to End Child Poverty concludes that ill health is one of the worst effects that poverty can have on a child’s life in the UK, with the risk of sudden infant death being ten times greater than children from better-off families.
Summary Justice: Fast but Fair? Young people are being criminalised for minor offences through government policies, the former chair of the Youth Justice Board, Rod Morgan, has argued in a
new report.
Government's new child health strategy: children and young people's views – As part of the development of the Government's first child health strategy, National Children’s Bureau (NCB) ran an on-line survey with children and young people. Some of the emerging key messages were: the importance of family and spending time with relatives and friends; eating healthily and having access to cheaper healthier options; and emotional health and well-being.
Children in care - The Centre for Social Justice has published a report on the children in care working group, Couldn't Care Less. The report states that the present care system fails to support vulnerable children and often creates children who go on to experience homelessness, unemployment, mental illness and addiction in adult life.
Social Return on Investment - The New Economics Foundation has published a report showing how the public service cost-efficiency drive fails vulnerable young people and how policymakers and practitioners should re-focus on quality (instead of short term savings) to create better long-term outcomes for both young people and the economy.
MEPs ask for more youthful EU policies – The European Parliament is taking a step forward in placing youth policy higher on the political agenda by adopting a written declaration on youth empowerment.
View more here.
New advice for parents on gangs – New advice for parents on preventing their children from becoming involved in gangs has been published.
As long as it takes, a new report from Action for Children examines 21 years of policy affecting vulnerable children and young people in the UK.
Latest online offender ‘grooming’ tactics revealed – The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has published a strategic overview report. They found that online child sex offenders are using more intimidating tactics to engage with, exploit and abuse children in an increasingly converged technological environment.
Life and Law in Britain: A guide for young asylum seekers and refugees – This guide by the Citizenship Foundation aims to support newcomers by detailing, in clear and simple terms, essential cultural and legal norms to help both with short term needs, such as making sense of the asylum application process, and also with long term integration. This guide also received positive feedback in its recent evaluation.
Children of prisoners – The Social Care Institute for Excellence has published three e-learning resources on children of prisoners.
Delivering for at risk and challenging young people – The Youth Taskforce is holding a major FREE conference on Thursday 23rd October 2008, at the Congress Centre, London. Delegates should include Directors of Children’s Services, Headteachers, Strategic Youth Leads and strategic leads in key partner organisations like health and third sector agencies wanting to learn about how schools and other services can engage more effectively. It will be particularly helpful for small groups of colleagues from an area to attend in order to share ideas and implement changes to services. To reserve your place please visit
www.glasgows.co.uk/nsc. Register by October 10th to guarantee your place.
OfSTED 14-19 - The Ofsted Thematic Survey on the Implementation of the 14-19 reforms found that the quality of information, advice and guidance provided to most young people was good.
View the full report here.
Outcomes of the Youth Opportunity Fund/Youth Capital Fund – The DCSF have published second phase evaluating of the Youth Capital Fund and Youth Opportunity Fund. The aim of the evaluation was to establish whether giving young people decision making powers in their local communities led to an increase in the quality of positive activities available and the levels of participation by young people in these. A good practice guide has also been published alongside the other documents. To read more click here.
Youth Sector Support Arrangements – The DCSF has published
findings from the Call for Evidence on Youth Sector Support Arrangements launched in January 2008. The consultation does not show a clear consensus for having a single-sector leading agency given the diversity of the sector. There is clear recognition that current arrangements are confusing and overlapping on the key issues such as quality assurance and workforce development. However it is also clear that real value is placed on the support networks at both a regional and local level, and that respondents did not want to see this disappear.
Local Area Agreements – I&DeA has updated its resources on Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements, bringing all its LAA and LSP information together in one place, making it easier for anyone involved in LAA delivery to find the information they need.
Focus on London 2008 – this web-based resource has a range of demographic, social and economic data, providing a statistical portrait of key issues facing the capital. It includes population and economic data, labour market, income, poverty health, housing, environment, transport, crime, education and local government information.
Diploma update - In August, Ofqual published the line of learning criteria for Diplomas in Public Services, Retail Business, Sport and Active Leisure, and Travel and Tourism. Awarding organisations will now begin to develop qualifications in line with these criteria. Those qualifications that meet the required criteria will be accredited in July 2009, for first teaching in September 2010. Criteria for the Diploma Phase 3 lines of learning can be accessed from here.
14-19 National Campaign Update - The slides on the 14 - 19 Reform Communications were produced by Young People Directorate at DCSF to update key stakeholders on the national 14 - 19 marketing campaign.View the slides here.
Management of Volunteers National Occupational Standards 2008 – These National Occupational Standards define the whole spectrum of activities involved in the “Management of Volunteers” and will help you to carry out this role effectively.
Youth Work and Social Networking – The National Youth Agency has been looking into the role that Youth Work can play in supporting young people to make the most of opportunities through online social networking, while avoiding potential risks. The interim report is now available on their website.
Changing economic circumstances in childhood – this study, which is published by the Department of Work and Pensions, has explored the link between changes in income and child outcomes in early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence.
Tackling youth crime – 13 local authority areas in London are being offered a share of £56.5 million to tackle youth crime. Islington, Barking and Dagenham, Lambeth, Hackney, Greenwich, Southwark, Hammersmith and Fulham, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, Camden, Newham, Lewisham and Croydon are among the 69 areas being offered a cash injection to prevent and tackle youth crime. The funding is a major milestone in the delivery of the Youth Crime Action Plan, which aims to tackle youth crime through early intervention, non-negotiable support and tough enforcement.
Poor children face greater health problems – A new report by the Campaign to End Child Poverty concludes that ill health is one of the worst effects that poverty can have on a child’s life in the UK, with the risk of sudden infant death being ten times greater than children from better-off families.
Summary Justice: Fast but Fair? Young people are being criminalised for minor offences through government policies, the former chair of the Youth Justice Board, Rod Morgan, has argued in a
new report.
Government's new child health strategy: children and young people's views – As part of the development of the Government's first child health strategy, National Children’s Bureau (NCB) ran an on-line survey with children and young people. Some of the emerging key messages were: the importance of family and spending time with relatives and friends; eating healthily and having access to cheaper healthier options; and emotional health and well-being.
Children in care - The Centre for Social Justice has published a report on the children in care working group, Couldn't Care Less. The report states that the present care system fails to support vulnerable children and often creates children who go on to experience homelessness, unemployment, mental illness and addiction in adult life.
Social Return on Investment - The New Economics Foundation has published a report showing how the public service cost-efficiency drive fails vulnerable young people and how policymakers and practitioners should re-focus on quality (instead of short term savings) to create better long-term outcomes for both young people and the economy.
MEPs ask for more youthful EU policies – The European Parliament is taking a step forward in placing youth policy higher on the political agenda by adopting a written declaration on youth empowerment.
View more here.
New advice for parents on gangs – New advice for parents on preventing their children from becoming involved in gangs has been published.
As long as it takes, a new report from Action for Children examines 21 years of policy affecting vulnerable children and young people in the UK.
Latest online offender ‘grooming’ tactics revealed – The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has published a strategic overview report. They found that online child sex offenders are using more intimidating tactics to engage with, exploit and abuse children in an increasingly converged technological environment.
Life and Law in Britain: A guide for young asylum seekers and refugees – This guide by the Citizenship Foundation aims to support newcomers by detailing, in clear and simple terms, essential cultural and legal norms to help both with short term needs, such as making sense of the asylum application process, and also with long term integration. This guide also received positive feedback in its recent evaluation.
Children of prisoners – The Social Care Institute for Excellence has published three e-learning resources on children of prisoners.
Delivering for at risk and challenging young people – The Youth Taskforce is holding a major FREE conference on Thursday 23rd October 2008, at the Congress Centre, London. Delegates should include Directors of Children’s Services, Headteachers, Strategic Youth Leads and strategic leads in key partner organisations like health and third sector agencies wanting to learn about how schools and other services can engage more effectively. It will be particularly helpful for small groups of colleagues from an area to attend in order to share ideas and implement changes to services. To reserve your place please visit
www.glasgows.co.uk/nsc. Register by October 10th to guarantee your place.
OfSTED 14-19 - The Ofsted Thematic Survey on the Implementation of the 14-19 reforms found that the quality of information, advice and guidance provided to most young people was good.
View the full report here.