submitting articles for this site

If you wish to have any news relating to services for children and their families published onto this site please forward items to PAVO via email: info@pavo.org.uk. Preferably send attachments in Word or publisher rather than pdf format.

If you wish to have further information about anything appearing here please do contact PAVO via the HelpDesk email: info@pavo.org.uk or phone: 0845 009 3288

If any of the links to documents, surveys or other websites don't work please do let us know and we will try again.

See our Sister Blog: PAVO Powys Play Partnership -http://powysplaypartnership.blogspot.co.uk/


Wednesday 24 February 2016

Bandrindod


Closing soon - Consultation on proposed change in age of admission to school

Dear All

A reminder that if you wish to contribute to the consultation exercise response forms need to be returned by Tuesday 1st March.  As previously indicated an electronic version of the response form can be accessed at www.powys.gov.uk/haveyoursay

** Invitation ** Real Conversation Event - Thursday 3 March 2016

Dear Professional
 
Please accept our invitation to the forthcoming Real Conversation event at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on 3 March 2016.
The discussion topic on this occasion will be Youth Entrepreneurship in Wales.
 
Here are bilingual invitations for Professionals and Young People.
We are really keen to make the event a success, so please share the invitation among your networks and encourage the desired audience to attend.
 
Booking is essential, but please be aware that places are limited! Book today: http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/skillsandtraining/realconversation/?lang=en
 
Appreciate your consideration and your anticipated assistance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
 
Kind regards
 
Jo Davies 
Swyddog Cyfathrebu a Marchnata/Communications & Marketing OfficerLlywodraeth Cymru/Welsh Government
Ffôn/Tel: 01443 663779

Wild Communities

"Go Wild, Get Skilled, Stay Well"
This 3 year, Big Lottery Funded project will work with local people in the Upper Tawe Valley, delivering a range of activities such as: 
  • Volunteer workdays on our 5 nature reserves. We meet on the 1st and 3rd friday of each month
  • Monthly guided wildlife walks to local sites
  • A programme of events and talks for all ages
The project will particularly look to provide opportunities for local unemployed people and those experiencing physical and mental ill health to access training, learn new skills and meet new people though:
  • Monthly wildlife inspired workshops
  • Access to training courses with accreditation
  • Weekly wildlife gardening club in partnership with Mind
The project will also deliver environmental education workshops through schools and community events to engage with children, giving them experiences that will spark an interest in their wild surrounding landscapes. 
If you would like to get involved or find out more please see our events page or contact the Wild Communities team on 01639 844 273 or email us at wildcommunities@brecknockwildlifetrust.org.uk

Tuesday 23 February 2016

First Aid training at PAVO

We have some places available on a 1 day First aid course here at Unit 30 in Llandrindod Wells on the 3rd March. If you know of anyone who would be interested then please ask them to contact: michael.entwisle@pavo.org.uk

Monday 22 February 2016

Community Information ESOL classes in Llandrindod (English for Speakers of Other Languages)


Update on recent changes to the ESOL classes running from the Llandrindod Wells Campus: the Intermediate / Advanced Class now runs on Wednesday mornings at the new time of 9.30am – 11.30am.   

There is a small charge for accreditation, for those that qualify.  There is a flyer attached for further information, including details of the Beginners and Intermediate / Advanced courses.


Training Opportunities for Staff

Do your staff or volunteers want to train in basic literacy and numeracy skills in English?
Do your staff or volunteers want to train in basic Welsh reading and writing skills?

Joanne Howells (Community Lifelong Learning Officer) would like to hear from any employers or voluntary groups across the South of the County who are interested.

Future courses could be offered at your venue.  There is no charge for these courses as long as there is sufficient interest to run a viable class and the students participating are at the basic skills level.  

If you feel it would be worth meeting to discuss any of these points further, please contact Joanne at joanne.howells@nptcgroup.ac.uk


Tuesday 16 February 2016

Do councils commission third sector services effectively?

Please see the following Call for Evidence from the Wales Audit Office. Feel free to answer individually but we are also collecting responses and feeding into a Powys third sector response.  Forward any comments onto us and we will collate a cohesive response:


FRESH - Family Session


Monday 15 February 2016

Registering interest for training on: Handling Confidential Information and the Data Protection Act

We are currently gathering interest for training on: Handling Confidential Information and the Data Protection Act.
Please complete the form below if you are interested in attending a course.
 
 
Once we receive enough interest a course will be scheduled.
 
Please fill out our Training enquiries form if there are other training courses you are interested in.
 
If you have any queries please email; training@pavo.org.uk 

Friday 12 February 2016

Beth Nesa | What Next? Children and young people in Wales given a voice in one of the largest consultations of its kind


Dear Colleague,
Thank you for your support and input into the Beth Nesa | What Next? Project.
Over 7,000 children and young people (aged 3-18+) took part in the Beth Nesa | What Next? Consultation – one of the largest of its kind in Wales – and we are pleased to now be able to share the key findings of this consultation with you.
Drawing upon the results of the Beth Nesa | What Next? Consultation, and other relevant sources of evidence[1], Sally Holland has set her priorities for 2016-19 as:
ü  Mental health, wellbeing and tackling bullying
ü  Poverty and social inequalities
ü  Play and leisure
ü  Safety (in the community, school and at home)
ü  Raising awareness of the UNCRC and promoting its adoption across public services
ü  Transitions to adulthood for all young people requiring continuing support and care

Tuesday 9 February 2016

Llandrindod SOUP - New video!


Llandrindod SOUP is a regular community supper and micro-funding event, bringing people together to share a meal and raise funds for small, creative community projects which make Llandrindod a better place to live.
The next soup event is on Friday 4th March, 7:30pm at The Herb Garden. For a donation of £3.00, attendees will listen to pitches from four community projects and vote for their favourite, enjoy some great entertainment and of course, enjoy some delicious soup!
If you would like to be one of the presenters on the night, the deadline for pitch applications is Sunday 21st February. A 4 minute explanation about your group/idea/project (and how the money from SOUP will be used to help it) is all that stands in the way of your chance of taking away the entire evening's door money.
Have a look at the new video to learn more about it : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH4O7CkUo98&feature=youtu.be

Free Training Programme with Tros Gynnal in April

Tros Gynnal Plant will be delivering a free training programme to Third Sector Organisations who work with families in Powys. The Welsh Government funded project provides training in the use of Restorative Approaches within Family Support and Engagement. The training involves a three day training course followed by ongoing support to help embed Restorative Approaches within the work of the organisation. The training will be on the 14th, 21st & 28th of April at the PAVO offices in Llandrindod Wells.

Please see the attached information regarding the training and if you would like any more information please contact Vicky Jones: victoria.jones@trosgynnalplant.org.uk

Monday 8 February 2016

Consultation Events: Proposed changes to school admissions

Here are the details of the consultation events:
 
Monday 8th February 2016 – 5.00pm-6.30pm and 6.30pm-8.00pm at Ysgol Trefonnen, Llandrindod
 
Tuesday 9th February 2016 – 4.00pm-5.30pm and 6-7:30 pm at Ysgol Dafydd Llwydd
 
Dydd Llun 8 Chwefror 2016 – 5.00 pm – 6.30 pm a 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm yn Ysgol Trefonnen, Llandrindod, LD1 5EP
 
Dydd Mawrth 9 Chwefror 2016 – 4.00 pm – 5.30 pm a 6.00 – 7.30 pm yn Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd, Y Drenewydd, SY16 1EG
 
Link to the online survey:
 

Playful Powys Memories Project


We are currently seeking participants to get involved in our Playful Powys Memories Project. Our project will focus on gathering memories of residents currently living in Powys. We are looking to capture the history of Play in Powys and how it has affected peoples lives, the landscape and the cultural fabric of the area. Memories will be collected through a variety of oral and video footage and the collection of photographs and artefacts. This Heritage is often forgotten, dismissed or hidden but has been experienced by all of us and has been essential in shaping the lives of every individual alive today.

We are currently seeking interest from groups and organisations who may have volunteers, staff or service users able to contribute approximately an hour each to share their memories, and a willingness to exhibit the collected memories at on completion of the project. If you would like to get involved, or would like to know more about the project, please contact Ben Webb on 01597 829440, for email ben.webb@playradnor.org.uk

Playing In Powys - What do you think? Please Tell Us NOW



Tell us if Children & Young People have the TIME & SPACE to play out/hang out with friends/on their own in Powys. Do adults and communities have a positive ATTITUDE and encourage our children to be children?
Tell us NOW. Your information will help us to plan how services and communities can help in the future.
Your responses are really important.
You will be able to view the report during April 2017.
PLEASE SHARE AND ENCOURAGE PARENTS AND FAMILIES TO FEED IN!!!


Children & Young Peoples Have Your Say:
http://goo.gl/forms/VhCR0qGMmz

Parents & Carers Have Your Say:
http://goo.gl/forms/VhCR0qGMmz



INFORMATION: Children/Young People with Disabilities Services Invitation to feed in suggestion

Powys County Council (The Council) is undertaking a market testing exercise to identify potential delivery models which have had proven success for Short Breaks Services to disabled children. 

This market test will primarily focus on the combining of the two existing services Community Support and the Referral Scheme to create one contract, to deliver the service in the most efficient way possible, with the best outcomes for children and young people in Powys.

The Council is open to hearing from providers about alternate methods of delivery or learning about good practice from services already being delivered. It should be noted that this market testing exercise is not part of a formal procurement and the Council does not guarantee to undertake a procurement process as a result of its deliberations.

The Council is using the Bravo Solution e-tendering portal (the Portal) for this market testing:

2 for 1 adult swim


Friday 5 February 2016

Have Your Say - Your Childrens' Right to Play/Hang Out

Calling all parents/carers in Powys

We want every child to play every day in Powys.  Too much to ask?
Do our children/young people have enough TIME to play or hang out with their friends?
Are there enough safe and suitable SPACES for children & young people to be able to play and hang out together?

Are children & young people encouraged to play or hang out?  What stops them?

We want your views which will help others plan things better to help and encourage children & young people to be children & young people!


Have Your Say - Your Right to Play/Hang Out


Calling Children & Young People in Powys

We need to hear about what you think about your right to play. Do you have enough time? Do you have the right space to go? Are you encouraged to play or hang out with friends? What stops you?

We want your views which will help adults to make better conditions for you to play.

We want every child to play every day in Powys. You can help by completing this short survey.

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION TO CRU SERVICE USERS/GOHEBIAETH BWYSIG I DDEFNYDDWYR GWASANAETH YR UNED COFNODION TROSEDDOL

This is a bilingual message, please scroll down for the Welsh / Mae hon yn neges ddwyieithog, sgroliwch lawr i’w darllen yn Gymraeg

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Message from WCVA Chief Executive and Chair

This is to advise of important changes to the service providing DBS checks currently managed by WCVA for the third sector in Wales.

The environment around DBS checks has changed significantly since 2003 including an increase in the number of registered bodies offering DBS checks and the availability of the DBS Update Service.

Welsh Government has identified the focus of funding for future support to the third sector should be concerned with safeguarding training, advice and support for organisations working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. WCVA, the wider third sector and statutory partners are engaged in discussions with Welsh Government in order to inform the development of a future service which will complement existing provision.

The approach outlined above means that free access to the DBS check service provided by WCVA will cease on 31 May 2016.  Free DBS checks for volunteers from DBS will continue and organisations and applicants can also take advantage of the DBS Update Service to avoid unnecessary repeat checks.  This service is free to volunteers and employers, and costs £13.00 per annum for employees.

Wednesday 3 February 2016

FREE training on the impact of bereavement on Children and Young People

FREE training on the impact of bereavement on Children and Young People is available from Cruse Bereavement Care.  The training takes a day to deliver and is available to organisations working in Powys, it can be delivered to groups of up to 15 people.

This training is well established and has recently been delivered in Swansea and Gwent with excellent feedback.

If your service/organisation is interested please contact Emma Jones (Emma.Jones@cruse.org.uk) by 12th February 2016.  

Brecon Meeting Centre Pioneer Workshop