Resources

Learning and Skills Council Yorkshire and Humber

One of the key LSC priorities is to reduce the proportion of young people age 14-19 that are Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET) from 8% by 2010. We aim to increasing the participation of young people by 2.0% in 2007/2008 with continued year on year increases until 2010. The LSC have established a flexible sub regional programme that adds alternatives to existing support mechanisms and to fund services to support mainstream delivery, achievement and progression. The funds are aimed at activities and interventions that reduce the level of disadvantage faced by young people in the labour market, complementing Local Authority Area strategies and specifically focus on NEET related issues by offering alternative delivery and support methods with the aim of reducing NEET levels.
Youth Programmes are carried out by Fund Managers who deliver these in areas across Yorkshire and Humber.
Click here to read more details.
Click here to find details of the Fund Manager in your area.

Activity Agreement

The Activity Agreement is a programme of activities and learning with a difference. It offers a unique opportunity to develop and fast-forward prospects for the future and get paid for doing it! For 16 or 17 years old who have not been in education, employment or training for some time the Activity Agreement could be the answer. It really starts with the young people, but they are there to help. Candidates get in touch and a Keyworker will then contact them to tell them more. Young people sign an "Activity Agreement" if they choose to go ahead. The two then work together to design a set of enjoyable, worthwhile activities and learning aims, with the Keyworker's support all the way through.
www.activityagreement.com

Play Strategy 2007-2012

Calderdale Council's 'Play Strategy for Children and Young People in Calderdale 2007-2012' is available to download.
Play Strategy 2007-2012.

Play England- Managing Risk in Play Provision.

The Play England website has the document Managing Risk in Paly Provision: Implementation Guide available to download. Visit their website resource page via the link below.
www.playengland.org.uk/resources

Teenagers, Sex, and Relationships.

A leaflet that has been launched by the NHS aimed at helping parents talk to their children about sex and relationships. The leaflet is being carried in pharmacies and Morrisons. Here is an electronic copy for you to use, peruse or distribute.
Talking to your teenager about sex and relationships leaflet

Healthy Lives, Brighter Future

The Government today published its long term vision of a 21st Century children's health service aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of all children, including £340 million to support children with disabilities and their families.
The joint strategy Healthy lives, brighter future: the strategy for children and young people's health - published by Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Health Secretary Alan Johnson - sets out for the first time what children and their families can expect from child health services in their areas from birth through to the age of 19
The publication can be downloaded at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_094400

Vulnerability Checklist

This vulnerability checklist is intended to help identify how children's needs might be met across universal, early intervention, complex and intensive services. All agencies working within North Yorkshire Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership and North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board have a responsibility to address the needs of children and young people in their area. Effective joint working provides the framework in which children's needs can be met across the needs spectrum.
Vulnerability checklist

Mind Excercise Nutrition...Do it! (MEND)

MEND aims to tackle childhood obesity by getting children and their families fitter,healthier and happier.
MEND brochure

Commissioning Toolkit launched

The National Academy for Parenting Practitioners has announced the launch of the Commissioning Toolkit of Parenting Programmes. The Toolkit is a searchable online database which contains comprehensive descriptions of parenting programmes available for commission. It presents information about programmes - their aims, content, target groups and practitioner requirements and also rates them according to quality and effectiveness, allowing commissioners to make informed choices about how suitable a particular programme may be in meeting the needs of specific parents.
Find out more about the Toolkit and access this database on their website.
For additional information read the Toolkit Bulletin.
The Academy welcomes any feedback you may have; please e-mail them with your questions and comments.

Futurebuilders

The Future Builders website has information on support to help groups towards tendering, and loans that are available to third sector organisations. www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk/

MENCAP Training

Bleow are flyers advertising the training that Mencap can offer your service. The courses offered include Inclusion , Communication , and Adapting Activities amongst others. Courses range from £350 per workshop - £650 per full days training. Courses can often be combined and tailored to suit your individual requirements. Contact details, for further information and to book, are available on the flyers.
What is Good Support
Adapting Activities
Communication
Consulting with Children, Young People and Adults
Disability, Attitudes and Values
Inclusion
Leglislation
Making People Feel Welcome


Commisioning Support Providers announced

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has issued a press release with details of a new source of support that will help local authorities and their Children's Trust partners improve the lives of children, young people and their families, that has been announced by Children's Minister Beverley Hughes. DCSF Press Release


Homophobic Bullying and Human Rights

An executive summary, of a youth led research and social policy project, has been published by Independent Academic Research Studies. It looks into the social problem of homophobic bullying.
Homophobic Bullying and Human RIghts

Play Strategy:

An update on the Calderdale Play Strategy. There are four different strands to the strategy:
Play rangers: there are 5 staff as part of the play rangers project they will facilitate play with 0-19 year olds in specific hotspots around Calderdale. They have a mobile unit that is kitted out with natural play equipment. The team leader is Sabrin Gohir from the play service.
Mixenden Play: This has been a joint piece of work with different partners that work in the Mixenden area, it has been a very positive and inclusive piece of work. Children and young people have been consulted at each step of the way. The project is now at the implementation stage having gone through planning and design the end result will be a natural play setting at the back of the Mixenden adventure play centre.
Old Town School Playground: This project has also been developed with the community and is aiming to provide an adventure play space in the school grounds that can be accessed by the community in keeping with the extended schools ethos.
Lightcliffe and Hipperholme: Natural Play development underway as there is a shortage of play provision in this area, no further details on this project.
Play Builder Funding has been secured by Calderdale this is a one and a half million pound budget over three years to improve 22 playgrounds in Calderdale. Six sites have been chosen based on a complex scoring matrix these are:
Finkle St - Hove Edge, Crow Wood Park - Sowerby Bridge, Fairfax - Southowram, Grantham Rd - Boothtown, Holmes Park - Luddenden, and Spring Edge - King Cross HX.
For further information on the play builder funding go to www.playpathfinders.co.uk/playbuilder/index.html
The contact for this project is mick.wilby@calderdale.gov.uk

Children's Social Care Induction Workbook

The Children's Workforce Development council have issued a new booklet for people working with children in social care. The booklet is available on their website.
CWDC Induction Standards Workbook

Successful Commissioning Training

Training is available from the National Children's Bureau, entitled 'Successful Commissioning: Preparing Your Children's Service Tenders'.
NCB Training Update

Play England

Play England and government departments leading on play have published guidance which will help transform the design of play spaces. The guide is free and available at www.playengland.org.uk/resources

Calderdale Parenting Support Strategy

The Parenting Support Strategy describes Calderdale's ambition and key priorities for improving the lives of families, parents and carers in the Borough. The strategy has been developed following widespread consultation with partner agencies. This strategy symbolises the commitment we have in Calderdale to respect and support parents and carers because every child and young person matters. Calderdale are working to ensure that parents and families have access to the support that they need, when they need it, so that all children can benefit from confident, positive and resilient parenting, from birth right through to the teenage years.
Parenting Support Strategy

Sport Relief Funding

UnLtd Sport Relief Awards are offering cash and a package of support to individuals across the UK with awards of up to £500 (for 11 to 16 year olds) and £500 to £5000 (for 17 to 21 year olds). The scheme aims to support ideas that tackle conflict and promote understanding in communities through sport and leisure activities. You can find out more from the information leaflet .
UnLtd Sport Relief Awards Information Leaflet

Local Level Funding and Support

The Department of Children, Schools and Families has issued a leaflet with information on funding and support possibilities available to local communities who want to develop their own play spaces and facilities.
Local Level Funding and Support

Resource Catalogue

Calderdale Health Improvement Resource Centre have a catalogue of resources and materials for use with children and young people. The resources outlined in the catalogue are aimed at teachers, support workers, youth workers, carers and health professionals who work with children and young people.
CHI Resource Centre Catalogue

Play Work Partnerships- Play Ranger Support Services

This new national support service will provide play rangers or playworkers facilitating open access play in parks, open spaces and streets, with an access point to share experiences, information, advice and good practice. The group is supported by staff from Playwork Partnerships with funding from Play England.
Play Workers Partnerships leaflet

Homeless Young People

Calderdale SmartMove recently gave a presentation at one of the Children and Young People's Network meetings. SmartMove can support young people from the age of 16 upwards to find a place of their own to rent. Age limits the amount of housing benefit a young person can claim until they are 25, when they become eligible for standard housing benefit rates. For more information, referral forms and contact details, visit the SmartMove website.