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children and young people

Support with Fundraising

These links take you straight to some major funders of CYP work in London:

For a comprehensive guide to current funding opportunities, download the Lewisham Funding Guide '08 by clicking on the attachment below.

You are also welcome to visit the VAL Offices to use FunderFinder, a powerful, searchable computer database of up-to-date funding opportunities. Please contact sheila@valewisham.org.uk to book your appointment.

CYP Training and Development

Common Core Skills

The Common Core Skills and knowledge are the six things that the government want all workers for children and young people to know about and do in their work, they are...

  1. Child and young person development.
  2. Supporting transitions.
  3. Multi agency working.
  4. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child.
  5. Effective communication and engagement.
  6. Sharing information

This initiative is facilitated by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC).

CWDC aims to make sure that the third sector is included in all of the workforce reform activity and that it has equal access to all the work that goes on in the children and young people’s workforce.  If you would like more information about the CWDC or the common core skills please contact www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Over the last few years there has been much funding towards the training and development of staff within the children and young people sector these include...

1.  Train to Gain that offer FREE NVQs in manager, early years, youth work, mentoring, teaching assistant etc. For more information http://www.traintogain.gov.uk/

     There are many Train to Gain Providers

info@mapalim.com

www.springboardbromley.org.uk

2.  Safeguarding

Lewisham safeguarding team provides FREE training to anyone working with children and Young People.

Contact safeguardingboard@lewisham.gov.uk

3. Capacity Builders offer a variety of different training.  In the past they have delivered Free First Aid and also Food Hygiene etc. please contact them for up to date programme of activity.

Contact: contact@lvstn.co.uk

4. Contact a family offers FREE training on inclusive play, working with parents and carers, Responding to challenging behavior etc. please contact them for up to date programme of activity.

Contact: info@cafamily.org.uk

5.VAL will also be delivering training for the children’s and young peoples workforce.  This will include Management skills, Managing Challenging Behavior, Team Building, Policies and Procedures, Induction to Interpersonal Skills.

Contact nicolak@lewisham.org.uk

If you would like up to date info on how to become a qualified youth worker please contact: http://www.nya.org.uk/information/108738/becomingqualified/

If you would like more information on early years, please

Contact http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/early-years

If you have any information or ideas about  training that could be delivered to the children and young people workforce please contact nicolak@valewisham

Support with Safeguarding

Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board is responsible for overseeing safeguarding in our borough.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

For the NSPCC Helpline call 0800 800 5000.

The Safe Network supports community organisations with safeguarding. It offers free advice, resources and training. Check it out NOW by clicking here!

***VETTING AND BARRING SCHEME UPDATE (July '10): The Coalition Government is reviewing the proposed Vetting and Barring Scheme. If it is released, it will be in a very scaled-down form. The government aims to report on plans by September. For updates, please visit the Independent Safeguarding Authority website.***

SAFEGUARDING ESSENTIALS

To ensure the safety of the children, young people and vulnerable adults you work with at all times, it is your responsibility to:

1. Keep your Safeguarding Policy up to date

  • This policy is essential if you work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults. It sets out your commitments and procedures for keeping them safe.
  • Click here for guidance and templates from The Safe Network.
  • Click here for useful guidelines and a checklist from LVSC.
  • Click here for further guidance from the Charity Commission.
  • Click here to order your 'Are They Safe?' Pack from The Safe Network.

2. Ensure staff have enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks where appropriate

  • Staff and volunteers must have a CRB check for each organisation where they have direct contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults
  • CRB checks are processed by agencies. Checks for volunteers cost much less than checks for paid staff.
  • Agencies which members have recommended to us in the past include Wrighton Education Service (020 7564 0480, email info@wrighton-education.com) and Human Resource Background Checks, a convenient online service.
  • Once a CRB disclosure is returned, it is the manager's responsibility to decide whether it is safe for that individual to work with children and young people. Click here for an excellent Checklist from London Voluntary Sector Council (LVCS) on safe and responsible use of the CRB process in recruitment.
  • For further guidance visit the Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board website (tel: 020 7138 1446) and the Criminal Records Bureau website (tel: 0870 90 90 811)

3. Ensure you are OFSTED registered if you need (or want) to be

  • All childcare providers caring for children from birth to five years old must register on OFSTED's Early Years Register and deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
  • Most childcare providers caring for children from five to eight years old must register on OFSTED's Childcare Register. Some providers are exempt - click here for more details.
  • Some providers who are not obliged to be on the Childcare Register may chose to join the Voluntary Childcare Register. As well as helping you ensure quality, this may help you gain access to further resources - for example, Lewisham Children's Centres training is open only to VCS childcare settings with OFSTED registration.
  • For more information and registration forms, visit the OFSTED website or call them on 08456 404040.

4. Make sure staff, including volunteers, are well trained and up-to-date

  • Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board offers free Safeguarding training on different topics and at different levels. Click here for this year's Training Programme or call 020 3049 1446 for more information.

5. Ensure at least one staff member is trained in using the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and ContactPoint

  • CAF and ContactPoint are systems which support practitioners in sharing information about vulnerable children. Click here to learn more and access free training.

6. Stay informed of new developments

  • Policy and practice around Safeguarding is constantly developing. Check this page regularly for updates.
  • Check The Safe Network for support and information aimed at voluntary and community organisations. 
  • The London Safeguarding Children Board website contains a wealth of updates and useful information.

For help or more information on any of above, please contact jennifer@valewisham.org.uk or call me on 020 8314 7679.

 

 

Information in British Sign Language (BSL)
Lewisham Council have made films in British Sign Language about the abuse of children and vulnerable adults - click here to view them.

 

 

 

 

 

Children & Young People's (CYP) Project

We are in touch with over 500 voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people in Lewisham!

We aim to support and develop a thriving voluntary and community sector working to improve the lives of Lewisham's children, young people and families.

We deliver:

Contact us to find out more and sign up to our email network:

Nicola Kelly, CYP Training and Development Officer: nicolak@valewisham.org.uk, 020 8314 6582

Jennifer Laing, Assistant Director: jennifer@valewisham.org.uk, 020 83147679

 

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