Newtown Neighbourhood Get Together: 6th March 4pm- 6pm

We are planning an event to bring together 3rd sector groups who work with children, young people and their families in Newtown on Thursday 6th March 4pm- 6pm.

We are hoping to have an open access play session available - though this is NOT a creche.  

We will have a few nibbles to keep you all going until you reach home.

There will be an opportunity to hear about an example of recruiting volunteers and finding out more about the organisations working in Newtown.

We are currently investigating suitable venues so if you have any suggestions please let us know!

Look forward to seeing you there.

Diary Marker: 22nd May, Merthyr Tydfil. Conference on Co-production

Diary Marker: Thursday 22nd May, Merthyr Tydfil

Children in Wales in partnership with CVCs across Wales are organising a conference for children & young people's groups on co-production.

More details to follow but please keep the date free.

Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector: Safe Network January Edition Newsletter

You can access the latest newsletter from the Safe Network, support by the NSPCC, focused on Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector.

Click the following for the direct link:

Safe Network: January Edition

It is funded for organisations working in England, however, much of the information is useful and just as relevant here in Wales.

If you have any questions or need further information around Safeguarding look under the "Useful Links" page.   Training in Child Protection is also available via the PCC Training Unit.  Again you will find the link under Safeguarding on the "Useful Links" page.

You can also ask PAVO for further support.  Please contact us at PAVO offices, via email or phone or calling in.

NHS Patient's Watchdog Online Survey: Urgent appointments with the GP

 “NHS Patients’ Watchdog launch On-line Survey 

Urgent  appointments with the GP  

Patients’ across Wales are being given the opportunity to rate accessing their GP in a National Survey launched today by the Community Health Council.

The Survey asks how easy it was to obtain an urgent appointment to booking yourself in for a routine appointment with your GP. It also asks Patients’ to indicate how long they waited to be seen once they had an appointment.

Interim CHC Board Director Cathy O’Sullivan said “The launch of this survey is very timely following the recent announcement by Professor Mark Drakeford Minister for Health & Social Services of the reduction of the administrative burden for GPs in their new contract for Wales”. It is essential that we ask patients for their experiences of getting urgent appointments with their GP to monitor the impact on patients following the changes in the GP contract”.

Community Health Councils (CHCs) across Wales have concerns about GP appointment systems and timely access for patients given that approximately 90% of contacts with the NHS happen in Primary Care.

The survey will run for two months and we are urging anyone who has to see their GP to complete the on line survey. 

The survey can be found by accessing:  www.communityhealthcouncils.org.uk

Welsh click here ....

Recongisning & Responding to Bullying Behaviours,

TRAINING PROGRAMME / RHAGLEN HYFFORDDI Recognising and Responding to Bullying Behaviours Cliciwch yma am y Cymraeg  Recognising and Responding to Bullying Behaviours  6 March 2014 - Booking Form    A one-day course Evidence and practice shows that bullying affects the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. Research has identified that:  Over 30% of Childline callers report that they have experienced bullying  2/3 of young carers are bullied at school  "Bullying was a common theme, with nearly every group citing this as a reason for non-attendance" (National Behaviour and Attendance Review 2009) 18% of pupils in Year 6, falling to 11% in Year 10, admit to bullying other pupils   (All Wales Survey of Bullying in Schools 2009) Reducing bullying incidents is undoubtedly a shared objective between children, young people, professionals and practitioners alike, however, addressing issues raised by children and young people can often prove challenging and, in some instances, we may feel unable to resolve conflict.    In order to address issues around bullying it is vital that professionals and practitioners, who work with children and young people, have a shared understanding of what determines bullying behavior, and feel confident in applying consistent approaches to prevent and tackle bullying. This one day course will provide an overview of bullying, addressing the following areas:  Understanding bullying and the complexity of behaviours that arise through bullying incidents Recognising when bullying may be occurring Responding effectively to reports of bullying Identifying strategies to prevent bullying behaviours About the Trainer: Rachel Beddoe has worked in the field of anti-bullying and emotional and mental health and wellbeing for the past seven years.  She has supported schools, youth and community settings to develop policy and practice to prevent and respond to bullying behaviours and developed programmes of work to support anxious young people.  Rachel has co-published resources and delivered presentations at International conferences on addressing teenage girl bullying, raising self esteem and building positive relationships.  Rachel is currently studying for her MA in education, where her focus of research and study is on addressing the effects of poverty and promoting children's wellbeing.   COST: Members £115 Non-members £135 This course is also offered as in-house training, please contacthannah.sharp@childreninwales.org.uk for more information

If you are interested in future Children in Wales courses, please visit our website or join our mailing list. **Remember that you can attend at a cheaper rate if your organisation is a member of Children in Wales. Join here**

Upcoming training February 2014: 7 - E-Safety With the Under 8's (AM), Cardiff 12 - Understanding How to Safeguard the Welfare of Children and Young People ~ Accredited Training Level 2 through Agored Cymru, Cardiff 13 - Cultural Awareness in Safeguarding, Newport 20 - E-Safety With the Under 8's (PM), Wrexham March 2014: 7 - Understanding How to Safeguard the Welfare of Children and Young People ~ Accredited Training Level 2 through Agored Cymru, Wrexham 10 - Working with Fathers, Wrexham 13 - Getting to Grips with Child and Family Policy in Wales, Conwy 19 - Attachment and its Role in Children's Lives, Rhyl Welsh below:

FREE Training: Food Safety Level 2

Event:	There are a few places left due to cancellations.  Please take advantage of this training. Food Safety Level 2
Venue:	Lesser Hall Room, Ystradgynlais Miners Welfare Hall, Brecon Road, Ystradgynlais, Swansea, West Glamorgan, SA9 1JJ  directions attached
Date:	27th January 2014
Time:	9:30am – 4:30pm

Refreshments:

Tea and Coffee will be available on arrival.

Parking:

Please note you will need to obtain a parking permit from Reception to park in the Staff Car Park or you will be able to park in the Pay and Display Car Park nearby.

Cancellations:

If you are unable to attend please contact the Workforce Development Unit on the number below as failure to attend on the day or cancellations made in less than 5 days prior to the training may incur a charge of £100.

Regards

Workforce Development Unit

The Gwalia

Llandrindod Wells

Powys

01597 82 7330

Table Tennis Leaders Course, Talgarth, Nr Brecon

Table Tennis Leaders Course – Monday 17^th February 2014

4-6pm at Talgarth Town Hall

£20 per candidate

Booking form attached.

Delivered by National Coaching Manager Ryan Jenkins.

Hosted by Talgarth Table Tennis Club.

Please contact me for further information.

Matthew James
Senior Sports Development Officer (South Powys) / Uwch Swyddog Datblygu Chwaraeon (De)
Powys County Council / Cyngor Sir Powys
Phone / Ffon: 01874 612335 / 07585 403076
Fax / Ffacs: 01874 612215
Email / E-bost: matthew.james1@powys.gov.uk www.powys.gov.uk/sportinpowys
www.powys.gov.uk/chwaraeonymmhowys

Children in Wales Training: Cultural Awareness in Safeguarding Children

Cultural Awareness in Safeguarding Children

Cliciwch yma am y Cymraeg

Cultural Awareness in Safeguarding Children 13 February 2014, Newport - Booking Form A half day course The aim of this course is to raise awareness of cultural, ethnic and religious identities when considering child protection issues within asylum seeking, refugee and migrant families. It will also increase the understanding of particular safeguarding risks within families and communities and increase confidence in addressing safeguarding issues with families. The course is aimed at anyone working with asylum seeking, refugee or migrant families.  This includes Flying Start, Families First, anyone working in statutory, social care, health or education, community groups and refugee community organisations. This course will include: Child protection through a cultural lens Cultural perspectives on parenting in immigrant families arriving in Wales Female Genital Mutilation, 'Honour' Violence, Forced Marriage, Abuse Linked to a Belief in Witchcraft Promoting positive parenting in immigrant families About the Trainer: Members £55

If you are interested in Children in Wales courses, please visit our website or join our mailing list.

**Remember that you can attend at a cheaper rate if your organisation is a member of Children in Wales. Join here**

Upcoming training: February 2014:7 - E-Safety with the Under 8's, Cardiff   12 - Understanding How to Safeguard the Welfare of Children and Young People ~ Accredited Training Level 2 through Agored Cymru, Cardiff   March 2014: 6 - Recognising and Responding to Bullying Behaviours, Merthyr Tydfil   10 - Working with Fathers, Wrexham   13 - Getting to Grips with Child and Family Policy in Wales, Conwy   19 - Attachment and its Role in Children's Lives, Rhyl   20 - Reducing Accidents in Early Years Childcare Settings, Merthyr Tydfil   20 & 21 - "Keeping Our Children Safe" Training for Designated Person for Child Protection, Cardiff  Ymwybyddiaeth Ddiwylliannol wrth Ddiogelu Plant 13 Chwefror 2014, Casnewydd - Flurflen Archebu

National Autistic Society Parent Support Meeting

The next Parent Support Meeting will be on the 11th February at 7pm, Children's Centre Brecon Hospital.

If you are interested attending, email:  southpowys@nas.org.uk

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 Make your 2014 amazing! 
Plan your amazing day for autism and take on a fundraising challenge for the NAS. Reach your goals and raise vital funds to help nearly 700,000 people with autism. 

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Healthy Weights for Children in Powys - Your help is needed

The Childhood Measure Report 2013 reveals that children, aged 4-5 years old, overall 28.2% of children were classed as overweight or obese.  In Powys, 29% of children aged 4-5 are overweight or obese.

A number of agencies are coming together to look at this situation, including Powys County Council, Powys teaching Local Health Board and the third sector.  There is an action plan being developed but this issue needs the involvement of the community to find the solutions and work out the support families really need.

If you wish to see the action plan please contact Yvonne at PAVO who can provide further details.  

Is there anything your organisation can do to help?  For example

• take up the UNICEF baby friendly initiative on your premises
• promote consistent messages for children & young people and their families
• encourage physical activity

extract from Childhood Measure 2013:

Third Sector Ministerial Meetings for 2014

25 Windsor Place Cardiff CF10 3BZ / 25 Plas Windsor Caerdydd CF10 3BZ  Tel / Ffôn: 029 2034 2434 Fax / Ffacs: 029 2034 3134  Unit 2 Victoria Dock Balaclafa Road Caernarfon LL55 1TH / Uned 2  Doc Fictoria Ffordd Balaclafa Caernarfon LL55 1TH  Tel / Ffôn: 01286 677 570 Fax / Ffacs: 01286 676 095 Email / Ebost: info@childreninwales.org.uk www.childreninwales.org.uk / www.plantyngnghymru.org.uk Third sector meetings Dear colleagues, I'm writing to you regarding the Ministerial meetings of the Third Sector Partnership Council, which are held twice each year between each Welsh Minister and representatives from the third sector. Children in Wales represents the Children and Families network on the Third Sector Partnership Council, and are able to raise any issues from within the sector at these meetings. We need your comments and feedback on what's important to your work, so that we can effectively represent the sector when we meet with the Ministers. The next round of meetings will be held in the Spring and Summer. Planning meetings are held to prepare papers for the Ministerial meetings, and in order that we can put your issues forward, it would be great if you could let us know by 10 February 2014 if there is anything you'd like us to raise. Please outline the issue in a short paragraph and email to hannah.davey@childreninwales.org.uk. You can find the minutes of previous meetings on the Welsh Government website here: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/people-and-communities/voluntarysector/ministers/?lang=en. Best wishes, Hannah Davey Children in Wales

Cyfarfodydd y trydydd sector Annwyl gyfeillion, Rwy'n ysgrifennu atoch chi ynghylch cyfarfodydd Gweinidogol Cyngor Partneriaeth y Trydydd Sector, sy'n cael eu cynnal dwywaith bob blwyddyn rhwng Gweinidogion Cymru a chynrychiolwyr o'r trydydd sector. Plant yng Nghymru sy'n cynrychioli'r rhwydwaith Plant a Theuluoedd ar Gyngor Partneriaeth y Trydydd Sector, a gall godi unrhyw faterion o'r tu mewn i'r sector yn y cyfarfodydd hyn. Mae arnom ni angen eich sylwadau a'ch adborth am beth sy'n bwysig i'ch gwaith chi, fel ein bod yn gallu cynrychioli'r sector yn effeithiol wrth gwrdd â'r Gweinidogion. Caiff y cylch nesaf o gyfarfodydd eu cynnal yn y Gwanwyn a'r Haf. Mae cyfarfodydd cynllunio yn cael eu cynnal i baratoi papurau ar gyfer y cyfarfodydd Gweinidogol, ac er mwyn i ni allu cyflwyno'ch materion chi, byddai'n dda pe baech yn gallu gadael i ni wybod erbyn 10 Chwefror 2014 os oes unrhyw beth yr hoffech i ni ei godi. Amlinellwch y mater mewn paragraff byr a'i e-bostio at hannah.davey@childreninwales.org.uk. Gallwch chi weld cofnodion y cyfarfodydd blaenorol ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru yma: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/people-and-communities/voluntarysector/ministers/?lang=en. Dymuniadau gorau, Hannah Davey Plant yng Nghymru

Language & Play Grant Applications for Resources

Language & Play

LAP would welcome grant applications as soon as possible, funding available now. 

Submitted grant applications will allow groups to purchase resources to support the delivery of LAP. The application process is simple and the business support team, as well as the CYPP will be happy to offer any support in this process. 

For further information and the grant form for the LAP/NAP small development grants, you can contact the Llaw yn Llaw Business support team or Anne Owen – LAP/NAP Co-ordinator for the CYPP.

Contact:- Anne.owen@powys.gov.uk  or nia@llawynllaw.co.uk

Common Assessment Framework & Local Resource Solution Panel Training, Newtown

Twilight Training for Newtown and the surrounding area 
 

CAF & LRSP Training
 

On       Wednesday 29^th January  3.30pm-6pm
For       All practitioners working or volunteering with children and young people (up to the age of 25)
Where     Maesyrhandir School
 
This is a shortened version of the full training available via the Powys Integrated Training Brochure. This session provides a short snapshot to find out what the CAF and LRSP are, what the Joint Assessment Family Framework (JAFF) is, and guidance on how to complete a CAF form.
 
Lead Practitioner (LP) and Team Around the Family (TAF)
 
On         Thursday 30^th January 3.30pm-6pm
For      All practitioners working or volunteering with children and young people (up to the age of 25)
Where  Maesyrhandir School
 
This is a shortened version of the full training available via the Powys Integrated Training Brochure. This is ideal as a short snapshot to find out what the role is as Lead Practitioner, and its functions within the Team Around the Family Process.
 
Trainer- Amy Johnson, Joint Assessment Family Framework (JAFF) Coordinator (North)
 
 
Book on by emailing cypptraining@powys.gov.uk ASAP to ensure sessions go ahead OR by phoning the training unit on 01597 827331 by 22/01/14. 

Language & Play, Number & Play Training Available

LAP – NAP Training       ‘Promoting Early Communication’ The next LAP-NAP Training sessions will focus on promoting early communication to support early language development. Sessions have been planned as follows:- Abermule C. P School (The Meeting Room):  Friday 7th March 10 am – 3pm The Castle Hotel, Castle Square, Brecon LD3 9DB:  Friday 14th March 10am – 3pm Media Resource Centre, Oxford Road, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6AH: Monday 17th March 10am – 3pm Please download the Booking Booking Form Below and return to:- lap@powys.gov.uk OR: - Rhaglen LAP-NAP Powys Yr Hen Goleg / The Old College Heol yr Orsaf / Station Road Y Drenewydd / Newtown Powys SY16 1BE

IMPORTANT Take Part in the PAVO Annual Stakeholder Survey

At PAVO we aim to continually improve the ways in which we provide services to the Third Sector in Powys. We would be very grateful if you would take the time to complete this brief survey, which will help us to continually better our understanding of and response to the needs of the Third Sector.

We will use your replies to feed into our review of services and service delivery and will continue to monitor and evaluate our performance in response to the feedback we receive.

This is an important opportunity to help shape the services that PAVO delivers. We need your feedback and suggestions of how we can respond to your needs effectively.

If you use this blog regularly and/or have accessed any support from PAVO you should now take part in this survey.

A reminder as well, to take part in the very small POLL at the top of this blog. We have 100's of visits to this site every month and it would be great to let us know what you think and any suggestions for development.

CYPP Thematic Family & Behaviour Support Meeting

The next meeting of the CYPP Thematic Family & Behaviour Support meeting is due to take place FRIDAY 17th JANUARY.

The agenda includes:

Priorities for the Work Plan.  These are:  

• Expand Flying Start in the Newtown and Brecon areas
• Childcare Sufficiency assessment completed including childcare strategy for 2014 - 17
• Childcare Business Support Service re-commissioned
• Early Years and Childcare provider Framework contract established
• Launch of Novus project (formerly genesis 2)
• Strategic Parenting Intervention forum established
• Family and Behaviour Support Services commissioned and operational
• multi agency review of Domestic Violence Services.
• Review Family & Behaviour Support Services available for YP aged 19-25 & commissioning strategy agreed.
• Review & commission a service for Family Group Conferencing inc. an Early Intervention mediation services.
• contribute to the commissioning strategy for Carers & commission services for carers.

There is also an item:

Youth Engagement & Progression Framework though no further papers have been attached.

What do you need to do?

The Work Plans for all the Thematic Groups are available on PAVO website so you can keep up to date with the full strategic picture.

You do not need to attend this meeting. We can, however, feed your views into the meeting and will provide a brief feedback from the meeting.

You are welcome to attend our regular Service Provider Forum meetings held 4 time per year where we have an opportunity to discuss issues, such as how services are commissioned, and plans coming from the Strategic Partnerships.

If you wish to learn more about the work of the CYPP you can contact Yvonne at PAVO.

Should a number of groups in your area wish to meet together to discuss anything coming from the plans of the CYPP then we can facilitate a meeting to do this.

You may wish to make comments, feed in any evidence of need, feed in views from children, young people and their families about services and how they are delivered.  We may not need to raise the issue immediately but we take your views to the more appropriate channel.

Would you like to be a Voluntary Sector Representative?

If you would like to be even further involved with influencing the development of services and become a Voluntary Sector Representative please contact Yvonne at PAVO.  More information about the role is included on the "Become a Voluntary Sector Representative" page.  

NSPCC Campain: The Underwear Rule

RE: THE UNDERWEAR RULE – NSPCC CAMPAIGN LAUNCH 13 JANUARY 2014

Last year (29 July to 4 August) the NSPCC ran a campaign to encourage parents and carers of 5-11 year olds to talk to their children about keeping safe from sexual abuse and to build their confidence by encouraging them to use the “Underwear Rule.”  We wish to maintain and improve levels of awareness of the importance to talking to children and to that end we will be have a further period of public campaign activity.  This will be launched on Monday 13 January and run until 7 February.

As with the campaign earlier this year, we will be using and developing the Council of Europe guidance on “The Underwear Rule” which puts across the message that the areas covered by your underwear are yours and private to you.  If anyone touches those areas you should tell a parent or someone you trust.  Parents have responded well to these messages.  There are, of course, nuances that the campaign will seek to address.  We have developed materials and a booklet for parents to support the campaign and you can view these on the NSPCC website:

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/our-campaigns/current-campaigns/underwear-rule/the-underwear-rule_wda97129.html

The campaign will include radio advertising, on-line media, press activity, and digital and hard copy materials.  More detailed information will be provided on the NSPCC website at the time of the campaign’s launch.

As this is an awareness raising campaign aimed at parents and carers, we do not envisage that it will lead to a significant increase in referrals to statutory and other services.

  

If you can help promote and support the campaign in any way, we would, of course, be very appreciative.   Activities that you might consider include

·         Raising awareness of the campaign via social media.  We can provide you with suggested tweets, Facebook statuses, etc.

·         Display website banners

·         Include the campaign in any newsletters, blogs, etc., that you produce.  We can provide you with articles/copy

·         Distribute our A5 hard copy booklet to parents – let us know how many copies you would like

·         Display posters (A4 sized)

·         Any other ways you can think of for reaching parents!

If you can undertake any of these activities during the campaign period (13 January to 7 February) your support would be much appreciated.  It would also be valued outside this period because we are keen to make The Underwear Rule a living campaign.

If you have any queries about this new phase of the campaign or would like assistance with any campaigning or communications activities please do not hesitate to contact me or the Regional Communications Team  walesandsouthwestcommunications@nspcc.org.uk, (0203 188 3655)

Let me take this opportunity to wish you a very happy new year.

Warm regards

Des

Des Mannion

National Head of Service

NSPCC Cymru/Wales

Powys County Council £20m reduction in budget - Online Survey available to complete NOW.

As you will be aware, Powys County Council are facing a £20m funding shortfall in the next financial year and £40m over three years as a result of national austerity measures, inflation and increasing service demands.

They are currently seeking views on how they propose to manage the £20m reduction in their budget for 2014/15.

As part of this they are seeking responses to a survey about their proposals. A copy of this is attached for your information. It may be that you would wish to make this available to your staff, volunteers and service users. Any completed surveys should be sent to the PCC Communications Team, Powys County Council, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LG by Friday 17th January.

The survey can also be completed online and can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/orulyrz The online survey closes at 4.30pm on Wednesday 22nd January.

There will also be an interactive webcast that will allow viewers to send in questions to PCC that will take place on Tuesday 21st January and will be viewable from PCC's webcast portal at:http://www.powys.public-i.tv/core/ (time to be confirmed).

Given the importance of the the proposed budget changes and their potential impact upon Powys Citizens and the funding that some voluntary and community organisations receive, we hope you will take the time to consider PCC's proposals and give them your views upon them.