How easy is it for children in Powys to walk to school or the park?

The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 aims to make Wales a walking and cycling nation. Its purpose is to enable more people to undertake active travel for short journeys instead of using motorised vehicles where it is suitable for them to do so.

Powys Active Travel consultation looks at how we all make the short journeys. This includes journeys to school or to the park for children and young people.

The consultation is open till 22nd October . Have your say here:

http://www.powys.gov.uk/en/roads-transport-and-parking/active-travel/

Incredible Years Programmes - Action for Children

Short Breaks review

Parents in Powys took part in a review of the Short Breaks service. A report of that review has now been published. If you have any comments to make please send them to lucy.taylor@pavo.org.uk and I will be sure to pass them to the right department. An easy read version will be available shortly.

Here is the link to the statement itself.

http://pstatic.powys.gov.uk/fileadmin/Docs/Childrens_Services/Powys_Short_Breaks_Statement_revision_2017_FD_V4_with_infographic.pdf

Brave EIP seeks to extend participation

The Calan DVS research and development project called BRAVE EIP is currently piloting a participation programme aimed at young people who have been exposed to domestic abuse in the past and come through the experience. The purpose of the group is to give these young participants a chance to talk about domestic abuse, their own experiences and what it is they think support services for young people affected by such problems should look like in the future.

BRAVE EIP operates across Powys and Neath Port Talbot and is keen to recruit as many young people as possible to take part in future participation groups. If you feel you can help us to recruit new participants for the programme or are keen to learn more about the Young People’s Voices

Participation project please contact

Nathan Meredith on 07985-554209 or email nmeredith@calandvs.org.uk

QCF Qualifications

Possible Funding Available for QCF Qualifications - Apply now!

Powys County Council Training Unit and Children and Young Peoples Partnership are working in partnership with training providers to offer a range of QCF training and qualifications which include:

·         Childcare Learning and Development (CCLD) – Level 2, Level 3 and Level 5

·         Playwork – Level 2 and Level 3

·         Work with Parents Level 3 and Level 4

The training unit are welcoming applications from the childcare workforce.  Applications will be considered alongside the funding criteria.  Line manager support should be sought in advance of application and the level of application should be aligned to the applicant’s role and responsibilities.  

Consideration of applications and approval will be undertaken by a Qualification Panel being held on 31^st July 2017 and successful applicants will be notified thereafter. 

Call the training unit on:  01597 827 507

Redesign of the Youth Service - Have your Say

Powys County Council are asking for your views on two options that would alter the way Youth Services and Youth Clubs are offered in Powys.

The consultation closes on Sunday 13th August.

To have your say see the council website: www.powys.gov.uk/en/corporate/find-out-about-consultations-in-powys/new-look-youth-service-survey-2017/

Voting for 16 and 17 year olds?

A new consultation proposes extending the vote to 16 and 17 year olds for local government elections.

The Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Mark Drakeford AM, has released a consultation that proposes electoral reforms in local government, including lowering the voting age to 16.

The consultation looks at reforming local government elections in Wales following the passing of the Wales Act 2017.

For more information go to: 

https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/electoral-reform-local-government-wales

Summer Activities

More activities for children this summer from Play Radnor

Families First event postponed

The ACEs, Families First event advertised for 26th July at the New Life Church , Llandrindod has been postponed. It is hoped  to set another date in September.

Youth Services - Have your Say - ends 13 August

Young people and youth organisations are being asked for their views on possible changes to the way youth services in the county are delivered.

Powys County Council wants to find out what young people think about possible changes to the way services are delivered in the county as part of plans to save £220,000.

Cabinet Member for Youth Services, Councillor Rachel Powell said: “As the new Portfolio Holder for Youth in Powys, I am very keen to meet frontline staff and public users to ascertain what is working well and what, if any, changes can be implemented to enhance the current service provision for Young People.

“Whilst financial considerations have to be taken into account, this service should not be solely budget driven, it has to reflect the needs of Young People.

“Being imaginative and responsive to community provision, the service has been remodelled in view to the sharing of premises with community partnerships. Reducing costs associated with buildings and maintenance, assists in keeping the budget within control but ensuring that a service remains for young people, although this service may be presented as a different format.”

To take part in the consultation go to:

http://www.powys.gov.uk/en/communications/view-council-news/news-article/article/4765-youth-service-consultation/

UNCRC Rights of the Child

A new written statement - marking the first anniversary of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's Concluding Observation report has been released by Carl Sargeant, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children.

It says:

A year ago today, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child published its 2016 report on the United Kingdom’s progress in implementing children’s rights since it last reported in 2008.

The report was informed by evidence from all parts of the UK.  At the time, the Committee took note of Wales’ progress in relation to children’s rights, for example, our Together for Children and Young People programme to support improved mental health for children and young people, and efforts on coordinating a better response to child sexual exploitation.  The Committee also praised how the right to play is promoted in Wales.

Our work on children’s rights continues.

To read the full report : http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/anniversaryuncrcobservationreport/?lang=e

To join Children in Wales FREE training:

Half Day Course The workshop will explore participation and its relation to the UNCRC and Welsh legislation such as the Child Rights Measure, Children and Families Measure, Social Services and Wellbeing Act and Future Generations Act. The session will explore practical ways of introducing participation and the skills needed to meaningfully engage young people.

For more information go to: http://www.childreninwales.org.uk/items/category/open-training/

Review of CAMHS - Together for Children and Young People Programme

The Children, Young People and Education Committee of Welsh Government would welcome your views on the terms of reference for the inquiry. It is considering whether the review of Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services - the 'Together for Children and Young People Programme' - is on track to deliver the 'step-change' in CAMHS services that is needed. The Committee's Inquiry will consider:

• Specialist CAMHS.
• Funding.
• Transition to Adult Services.
• Links with Education (emotional intelligence and healthy coping mechanisms).

Closing date for responses: 29 September 2017. More here.

An important date for your diary- 26th July

Unfortunately this event has been postponed.

This is a diary marker for the Families First Learning & Recommissioning Event. 

Wednesday 26th July, New Life Church, Llandrindod. 10.30am - 3pm

The event will focus on the learning from the current programme and the requirements of the new Families First programme, with a specific focus on tackling Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). You can find out more about ACEs and how they’re being tackled in Wales at http://www.aces.me.uk/in-wales/

Over the summer and early autumn, Powys County Council  will be holding a series of workstreams to design the new programme. Anyone who wants to be involved in this critical process to shape prevention and early intervention for children, young people and their families should be invited to this event which will set the scope of the future programme. This event will specifically look at the recommissioning of Families First services in Powys, the Children’s First approach developing in Newtown and the potential to develop an ACE-focussed secondary school in the county. We really hope you can make it and please share this event with your colleagues who may be able to attend and input.

We appreciate that this date is during Royal Welsh Show week . To account for the Royal Welsh Show traffic, the session will run from 10.30am until 3pm at the latest. Please indicate whether you are able to attend as this will let us know if the event is viable by contactingchildren.youngpeople@powys.gov.uk

Is your voice missing?

The Electoral Reform Society Cymru has launched Missing Voices, a project to learn why people don’t vote.

Missing Voices will find out how people feel about politics in Wales and why so many people still don't vote. ERS Cymru have partnered with the Open Government Network Wales, the Electoral Commission, Cymorth Cymru, the National Assembly and others to look into the issue.

The project will use methods such as online surveys, group chats, focus groups and vox pops.

Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said: 'The project will engage directly with people who sporadically vote or maybe have never voted before in their lives so that we can understand what needs to be done to make politics more relevant and more engaging. The information we collect will enable us to find a way to break down barriers that stop people voting and get thousands of missing voices in Wales heard.'

The first online survey is available here.

Free training on Engagement

Children in Wales are offering: 

Young People's Participation in practice, engaging 11-15 year olds

Cyfranogiad Pobl Ifanc Mewn Ymarfer, ymgysylltu 11-15 oed

20th July 1 - 4pm

Half Day Course

The workshop will explore participation and its relation to the UNCRC and Welsh legislation such as the Child Rights Measure, Children and Families Measure, Social Services and Wellbeing Act and Future Generations Act. The session will explore practical ways of introducing participation and the skills needed to meaningfully engage young people.

Cwrs Hanner Dydd

Bydd y gweithdy'n edrych ar gyfranogiad a'r berthynas rhyngddo a CCUHP a deddfwriaeth Cymru megis y Mesur Hawliau Plant, y Mesur Plant a Theuluoedd, Deddf Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Llesiant a Deddf Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol. Bydd y sesiwn yn archwilio ffyrdd ymarferol o gyflwyno cyfranogiad a'r sgiliau sy'n angenrheidiol i ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc mewn modd ystyrlon.

Go to:
http://www.childreninwales.org.uk/

Free - Third Sector Support session on Fundraising

3rd Sector Support Wales partners are to hold a regular series of free information events looking at topical issues.

Monday 10th July at PAVO, Llandrindod Wells

The first round events will focus specifically on fundraising, with the chance to hear from the Fundraising Regulator's team on a number of topics, including the Fundraising Preference Service and its implications for your organisation. You'll also learn about the Institute of Fundraising's new project which aims to use experienced mentors to work with your organisation to study and strengthen your fundraising practices.

For more information visit www.wcva.org.uk