HCVS - Changing lives photographic exhibition - celebrating hackneys voluntary & community sector

Have a look at the HCVS Changing Lives photographic exhibition celebrating Hackney’s voluntary and community sector:

About Changing Lives: Celebrating Hackney's voluntary and community sector

As you make your way through our exhibition, you’ll see a snapshot of the people behind 12 of Hackney’s VCS groups who deliver this invaluable voluntary work, as well as the communities whose lives are changed as a result.

Photojournalist Katherine Green presents a visual and written record of those who write the funding applications and make the tea, as well as hands on events; tree planting, dance classes and the work of more groups.  From art therapy programmes focusing on youth offenders, crime and anti social behavior, to massage, yoga and reflexology with the over 50’s, groups like Hands Inc can measure their success in both the short and long term. Therapist Eileen Bellot says, “If you see the faces of people when they’ve had their treatments, you know you’ve had an immediate impact, and long term, we know we’re having an impact because people are coming back and wanting more of our services”.  Hands Inc. will also be at the Open Day providing massage for participants.

See the inspiring faces of these people and witness the impact for yourself at Changing Lives. Join us as we take you on a journey into Hackney’s communities!

We know these 12 groups are just a snapshot of the 2,000 plus VCS groups working in the borough, so click here or see below on how you can get involved: www.changingliveshackney.org.uk

For more information on Hackney Community Engagement Board Community Safety Open Day: visit http://www.teamhackney.org/pj40561_engagement_leaflet_web.pdf or call Jack Duncton on 020 8356 5321

Thursday, 18 March 2010, 3 - 8pm

2012 Community event

Venue: Hackney Wick Community Centre, The Old Baths 80 Eastway, London E9 5JH

Info: http://www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney-2012-community-meeting-2.htm

Tuesday, 23 March 2010, 10am - 4pm

CEN REACH conference

Venue: Morley Hall, 125 - 127 Mare Street

Info: http://reachevent.eventbrite.com/

Saturday, 27 March 2010, 12 - 3pm

Wilton TRA Open Day

Venue: Wilton Estate Community Hall, Greenwood Road London E8 2BE

Saturday, 5 June 2010

Hackney Unites Community Conference

Venue: To be confirmed

Info: Hackneyunites@btinternet.com

Tuesday, 7 September, 2010 11 - 4pm

HCVS AGM and Funders Fair

Venue: Springfield House, Tyssen Street E8 2LY

We know these 12 groups are just a snapshot of the 2,000 plus VCS groups working in the borough, so click here or see how you can get involved: www.changingliveshackney.org.uk or call Gillian or Katy on 020 7923 1962.

CEN Transformation Representatives selected

Following a rigourous selection procedure we are pleased to announce that the Voluntary & Community sector CEN Representatives have been appointed;

 We will be featuring feedback from the representatives in this newsletter , and you can let them know your views at the   Health & Social Care Forum meetings - Special Interest Groups and via the online forum.

You will have the opportunity to meet most of the representatives at the CEN Reach Conference - where there is a  workshop on Personalisation co chaired by Janice Wightman LBH  & Patricia Salt.  Click here for more information & to book.

Feedback from the HSCF Awayday & survey

We had over 25 people from all sectors of the the voluntary sector attend including some SIG Chairs and represenetatives and some people who would like to get more involved.At the awayday members discussed how we could take this forward the survey results -that respondents  see the main role of the Forum as

• Information sharing
• Opportunities for networking
• To take a role in facilitating consortia / partnership building

and we agreed the network needs active participation from members to achieve its aims, and those present agreed to take forward actions – from looking at the structure of HSCF to  sharing information and being a representative.

We agreed that the Forum could take a much bigger role in building a collection of evidence of service users needs and of good practice – but only if members share the information, and in consortia building – but we will need  to draw in more expertise in this area  .

David Woodhead was present and expressed support for the Forum but stated that we need to do more to promote the City & Hackney Health  & Wellbeing Profile to members as that will be the evidence used to commission services over the next couple of years so everyone should be using in their future planning. 

David also stated that we have a tough few years ahead of us and working together across sectors will get the best outcomes for service users.

 Actions are being written up now and we will be sharing them across the membership as soon as possible. 

We also have design students from the Metropolitan University working on a new name & image for us

– if you would like to  be more  involved in developing our network please contact Jackie at hscf@hcvs.org.uk - 

We can only be as strong and as active as our members enable us to be.

Have you got unused printer cartridges? - You can recoup some money here

Acting Up supports Kilburn elders to achieve voice & wins Media Trust award

A Kilburn-based community group dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Camden has been recognised with a national £500 award for using digital media in an inspiring way within the local community.

KOVE (Kilburn Older Voice Exchange) was set up to support older people to get their voice heard about a range of issues including home care, road crossings and accessible toilet facilities, using multimedia. KOVE received support from Acting Up, a charity, which provides multi media training and support for people with communication difficulties.

The award received by KOVE marks the first stage of the 'Community Voices' campaign, a two-year project delivered across England by communications charity Media Trust, which aims to inspire, engage and support disadvantaged and isolated communities to get their voices heard through digital media.

Carol Thomas from KOVE said: "KOVE has given us all a voice in the community where older people are often overlooked. Through the different groups we are in contact with and by using digital media to record peoples concerns and suggestions for improvements, we have been able to help raise awareness of the issues facing older people and get things done together!"

Media Trust’s Director of Marketing and Communications Services, Gavin Sheppard, says: “We know that there is a wealth of great digital media work already going on in the community, but we were especially impressed with the way KOVE has facilitated older people within the community to have a voice and describe their own personal experiences and the difficulties they face, using multimedia. These stories can in turn highlight areas or services in need of review, and allow lessons to be learnt and services for older people to be improved.”

Media Trust is offering one £500 award every week up until March 2010, to individuals or community groups whose work is helping to give the community a voice through digital media. Projects could range from a digital photo exhibition or a social media initiative to podcasting or a short film on mobile. So long as it has been led by the community with a view to addressing their specific conditions of isolation or deprivation through digital media, and could serve to inspire other communities.

Selected projects will be showcased on Media Trust’s website, and will get a free place at a Media Trust training event plus a wealth of additional communications support. 

Media Trust also opened up a range of new grants in January 2010, designed to engage and equip groups who feel unheard or voiceless, with the tools to express themselves. Applications for these grants are now closed and community projects selected for funding will be announced shortly.

To find out more about Community Voices visit: http://www.mediatrust.org/communityvoices

To find out more KOVE visit http://www.acting-up.org.uk/kove.htm

Ends

Notes to editors 

For further information or images contact: Jessica Culshaw: jessicac@mediatrust.org (t) 020 7217 3743 or Kerry Thorpe: kerryt@mediatrust.org (t) 020 7217 3742.

Media Trust
Media Trust is a national charity that believes everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to be heard. We work with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice. We own and run Community Channel, the UK's only national channel to be run by a charity. Media Trust corporate members are BBC, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Disney Channel UK, Guardian Media Group, IPC Media, ITV plc, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, OMD, Sky, Virgin Media TV, Warner Bros. Go to: www.mediatrust.org

<http://www.mediatrust.org/> 

Community Voices

Community Voices is an England-wide programme funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (formerly DIUS) and delivered by Media Trust. It aims to engage and empower communities who feel disadvantaged or isolated with the inspiration, confidence, skills, and access to resources and funding to help them find their voice and make it heard, using digital media. www.mediatrust.org/communityvoices

Your Care Your Way - leaflet explaining personalisation for service users

Message Click here for the latest information from London Borough of hackney www.hackney.gov.uk/trasc

Concern over hospital’s responses to patient safety alerts- Hackney LINK

Concern over hospital’s responses

to patient safety alerts

Hackney LINk, the borough’s watchdog for health and social care services, has expressed concern about a report indicating that as of 29 December 2009 Homerton Hospital had failed to confirm that it had complied with 10 patient safety alerts issued to NHS trusts by the National Patient Safety Agency.

The Local Involvement Network (LINk), which represents local residents and service users, has written to the Chief Executive of the Homerton to request an explanation.

NHS trusts are supposed to report to a Central Alert System when the actions recommended by the alerts have been implemented.  Implementation of such actions by the given deadlines is one of the ‘core standards’ set by the Department of Health.

The charity Action Against Medical Accidents used the Freedom of Information Act to find out which trusts had failed to confirm as of 29 December 2009 that they had complied with alerts for which the deadline had passed.

Its report indicates that 82 out of the approximately 400 trusts in England had failed to confirm that they had complied with 10 or more separate alerts.

One of the trusts which had failed to confirm that it had complied with 10 alerts was the Homerton.  The 10 alerts involved are listed in the table below.

Ida Scoullos, Chair of Hackney LINk, said: “We want to know why the Homerton had failed to confirm that it had complied with these alerts.  If it had not implemented the recommended actions, we want to know why not.  If it had implemented the recommended actions, we want to know why it had not reported that it had done so.”.

Mrs Scoullos suggested that progress on implementing patient safety alerts should be placed on the agenda for a board meeting of the trust at the earliest opportunity.

Hackney LINk can be contacted by telephone on 020 8510 1972 or by email at info@hackneylink.org.uk .

ENDS

Note:

The report ‘“Adding insult to injury” – NHS failure to implement patient safety alerts’ was published by the charity Action Against Medical Accidents on 16 February 2010 and can be found on the charity’s website by going to http://www.avma.org.uk/pages/news.html.

Homerton had failed to confirm that it had complied with the alerts listed in the following table.

For further information about this story contact Mark Hope, Hackney LINk Policy Manger, tel: 020 8510 1973, email: mark@hackneylink.org.uk .

For further information about Hackney LINk see www.hackneylink.org.uk or contact Esther Norman, Hackney LINk Support and Development Manager, tel: 020 8510 1975, email: esther@hackneylink.org.uk .

Child Poverty - Have your say

What are the issues arising from Hackney Council’s child poverty review?

How can local communities play a role in tackling child poverty and the problems affecting children and young people?

Child Poverty shows itself in many areas of life, the high level of unemployment amongst disadvantaged communities, increasing levels of obesity in year 1 and year 6 pupils and poor education about health and well being. In Hackney, 40% of families are on incapacity benefits. This session will drill down to the core national concerns and focus on the solutions affecting Hackney's communities.

Child Poverty a call for Community Action - Time to identify the radical changes and investment needed to eradicate child poverty in future generations.

Come and discuss these issues with Toebe Potash, Lubavitch Youth and Children & Young People’s Providers Forum and Joanna Sumner, Assistant Director, Policy and Performance, LBH as part of our Community Empowerment Network’s (CEN) REACH conference on Tuesday, 23 March.

We would like to hear how you think the Children & Young People’s Providers Forum can work with and for the sector? What things should the Forum focus on?

Book your place today at: www.reachevent.eventbrite.com

Plus, find out about upcoming Team Hackney Community Grants, the future of public sector funding and…

With 46 nominations received for our CEN REACHING SUCCESS awards, who will be the four lucky winners?

Come along and find out which community networks Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, will be presenting the prizes to.

You can also attend workshops looking at adult social care, worklessness, domestic violence, engaging marginalised communities and marketing your network.

Book your place today at: www.reachevent.eventbrite.com

**Find out about what Hackney’s community networks are doing

You can view CEN community network events calendar here: http://www.hcvs.org.uk/EN/store/cen/CEN_networks_calendar.xls

Hackney’s Community Empowerment Network (CEN) supports 22 community representatives and 30 networks to represent the views of over 350 local VCS organisations.  Together, they shape local policy and services at Team Hackney, the local strategic partnership, where decisions on policy and spending are made.

The CEN is hosted by Hackney Council for Voluntary Service (HCVS), the borough’s leading VCS support agency. 

Find out more at www.hackneycen.org.uk or email Andrea Enisuoh on andrea@hcvs.org.uk

Small charities struggle with paperwork

A survey conducted by the Small Charities Coalition found that nearly forty per cent of small charity respondents struggle with VAT issues and over one third struggle with Gift Aid. See more on a Directory of Social Change guest editorial: 'Small charities tell regulators to keep it simple'.

 source Voluntary Resource Newsletter

New report by Race on the Agenda reveals rape used as a gang weapon

A new report by Race in the Agenda (ROTA) young women are being exploited and subjected to sexual violence as a result of gang reprisals. ROTA interviewed over 350 women and girls all associated with gangs in London, which revealed personal accounts of the use of rape to punish girl gang members and relatives of rivals.

Download an executive summary of the report from ROTA.  

Source LVSC

Empowerment Event for anyone with injury, illness or disability who wants to get more involved

European Youth Foundation

deadline: 1 April 2010

The European Youth Foundation (EYF) supports European youth activities. It is currently accepting applications from international not-for-profit youth organisations, working in a number of European member states, for the following categories of their scheme:

• Category A: international youth meeting - which may be seminars, conferences, workshops, camps, festivals, etc.
• Category B: youth activity other than a meeting - for example may be magazines, specialised publications, campaigns, exhibitions, websites, posters and research on youth relate issues.

There are also opportunities for pilot projects under the Category D and Category D-HRE schemes, which have no deadlines.

Non-governmental youth organisations must register with EYF, via their online database, to be eligible to apply. For more information visit www.eyf.coe.int

Source VOluntary Arts Netwrok 

small grants for womens projects

Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances - posted 05.11.2009

deadline: 26 March 2010

The Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances has announced that it will be launching a new funding round in 2010. The Society, which was founded in 1886 and provides support to women resident in the United Kingdom who are living alone in their own home (either owned or rented) and in genuine need, irrespective of age or social status, will make £50,000 available for grants to support the work of other organisations that meet the objectives of the Society.

Priority will be given to smaller projects where it can be demonstrated that the Society’s grant will make a real difference. The Society cannot consider projects which also benefit men, children or women who are not in financial need.

All applicants must complete the online application form at www.salrc.org.

People’s Millions 2010 now open

The People’s Millions 2010 competition, from the Big Lottery Fund and ITV, is now open for applications. Short listed projects will be put to the public vote on ITV for a week in November. Winners can receive up to £50,000 to improve local facilities or help people in your local area. It is expected five awards will be made in each ITV region.

The deadline for applications is 14 May 2010.

For more information, including how to apply, viist the People’s Millions website here.

Source SYFAB

Grants for the Arts - Arts Council England

Arts Council England’s website states that quickest and easiest way to apply for Grants for the Arts is through its new online application form. Applicants who are unable to apply online may still use the printed application form.

For further information on Grants for the Arts see the Arts Council England website.

Source SYFAB 

Principal Policy & Project Officer - Health - London Councils

Are you interested in helping to ensure that current debates about adult social care funding take into account the London context?

Would you like to play a part in shaping health and adult social care services in London?

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Policy and Public Affairs directorate for a Principal Policy and Projects Officer to work in our Health and Adult Services team. 

We are looking for someone with experience of contributing to public policy development, excellent communication skills and an ability to understand the strategic significance of key issues for local government.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing a range of policy projects, providing research, information and advice to leading members and senior officers and representing London Councils to external stakeholders.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Judith Hendley, Head of Health and Adult Services, on 020 7934 9972.

An information pack and application form, can be obtained via the following means: (please ensure you quote the correct reference number when applying for the post).

Email:  cru@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Website: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk. The entire recruitment pack can be downloaded from the website

Telephone: 020 7332 3978 (24hr answerphone)

A minicom service for the hearing impaired available on 020 7332 3732

Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 22 March 2010

Interview Dates:   Wednesday 31 March 2010

London Councils is committed to equality of opportunities.As users of the disability symbol, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Follow this link to download other forms needed for your application.

related documents

• Job Description (Adobe PDF document, 182.70Kb) Opens in a new window
• Person Specification (Adobe PDF document, 180.39Kb)

Change Up administrator - London Councils

We want to recruit an administrator to assist the ChangeUp Grants Officer in implementing the ChangeUp/Capacitybuilders Programme, which delivers funding to London’s voluntary and community sector and specifically helps third sector organisations become more sustainable.

We are looking for a self-starter to assist with the administration of the funds. The successful applicant will have a good knowledge and understanding of the role of the third sector in London and of the major issues affecting public, voluntary and community organisations in London.

The successful applicant will have experience of working in an administrative support role; developing, organising and managing efficient and effective office and administrative systems and processes, and have a high level of oral and written communication skills. There will be opportunities to take on small projects and to assist the grants officers at consortium meetings and events.

London Councils is the umbrella group for the capital’s 33 local authorities. We develop policy, lobby government and others and run a range of services all designed to make life better for Londoners, including a £27 million a year grants scheme.

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Information and application available below:

• Job description Opens in a new window
• Person Specification Opens in a new window
• Application Pack Opens in a new window
• London Councils Application Form Monitoring Questionnaire Opens in a new window

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Wednesday 17 March 2010

Interview Dates: Week Commencing Monday 29 March 2010

All applicants will need to be able to work in a politically sensitive environment and be able to work under pressure to meet deadlines while maintaining standards.

An information pack and application form, can also be obtained via the following means: (please ensure you quote the correct reference number when applying for the post).

Email: cru@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Telephone: 020 7332 3978 (24hr answerphone)

A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732

London Councils is committed to equality of opportunities. As users of the disability symbol, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the post

Follow this link to download other forms needed for your application.

Public Service Delivery Network Officer

New Opportunity - Public Service Delivery Network Officer

You will take responsibility for the project management of NCVO’s Public Service Delivery Network, which informs and influences public service purchasers and commissioners and provides capacity building support to the voluntary sector. You will identify new business development and funding opportunities for the project, as well as developing and co-ordinating policy work around public services.

£34,390 p.a.
Fixed term contract to end March 2012
Regents Wharf, London, N1
This post would be open for consideration for a secondment.

Ref PSDO92
Closing date: Wednesday 24 March 2010 @ noon

For more information visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/jobs

EY2010 Project Co-ordinator - community LINK

EY2010 Project Co-ordinator

Community Links pioneers new ideas and new ways of working locally and share the learning nationally through linksUK, which provides practitioner-led consultancy and training, research and policy development and a programme of publications.

We are recruiting a Project Coordinator who will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of the joint Community Links (CL)/Church Action on Poverty (CAP) programme of activity for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (EY2010). Main Tasks include:

• To take a lead in establishing and delivering the programme of activities, including self-organised meetings, regional dialogue events and national policy meetings.
• To be responsible for liaising with and coordinating the input of CL and CAP staff to the programme.
• To be responsible for liaising with external partner organisations in delivering the programme of activities during the year.

35 hours/5 days per week, £35,000 pro rata, Fixed Term Contract: 12th April–30th November 2010.

This post is based at our Head Office at 105 Barking Road, London, E16 4HQ.

If you are interested in applying for this post, please send the completed application form to Zoraida Colorado, Community Links, 105 Barking Road, London, E16 4HQ
For further information t: 020 7473 9664 e: zoraida.colorado@community-links.org
Closing date for applications: Friday 26th March 2010. 5.00pm
Interviews w/c: 5th April 2010
Community Links is an equal opportunities employer
Application Pack

    * EY2010 Project Co-ordinator Application Pack

You may apply using the form below or by emailing your application to zoraida.colorado@community-links.org

Administrator - Supporting People Team- LBH

Administrator - Supporting People Team

Directorate Community Services Service Area Access & Inclusion Salary £25,515 - £27,009 Shift Pattern Full Time - 36hrs, Monday / Friday Closing date for applications 23 March 2010

Apply your admin skills where they can really make a difference The Role Providing a comprehensive admin support service to the Supporting People team, you will help develop service user involvement and make improvements across the service. The Requirements Good word processing skills and thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office will be essential, matched with file management and maintenance experience. A good understanding of the Data Protection Act will also be required. Responsibilities You will be responsible for maintaining routine admin systems and effective file tracking and auditing, ensuring information is accessible and in line with Council systems. This will be important for producing statistical and analytical information. Further to this you will be central to coordinating all service user involvement activities. The Individual A background in working with vulnerable people and knowledge of the Supporting People Programme will be key, teamed with experience of setting up and running groups involving service users to make service improvements. Additional Information It is essential that you include a supporting statement, addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience would enable you to meet all aspects of the post, as indicated in the job description and person specification. Please complete and upload your supporting statement in the 'CV & Document Upload' section. This post is Fixed Term Contract for 11 months You will be required to undergo an enhanced CRB.

More Info...

Supporting People Team Administrator Job Description.doc

Click here to apply for this job

Affordable Housing Monitoring and Development Officer

Directorate Neighbourhoods & Regeneration Service Area Regenerations & Planning Salary £35,055 - £37,851 Shift Pattern Full Time - 36hrs, Monday / Friday Closing date for applications 9 April 2010

Securing the best housing services for Hackney residents The Role As part of the Housing Delivery Team and working with the Better Homes Partnership (BHP), you’ll work closely with Registered Social Landlords and other stakeholders to improve the quality of life and levels of service for our residents. This includes ensuring assets are properly deployed and that residents are given the opportunity to participate in decisions about their neighbourhoods.   The Requirements Success will depend on your ability to establish positive relationships across the board, from residents and service providers to elected members and community groups. You must be able to apply performance management techniques in a housing context, to solve problems and to communicate and negotiate effectively. A sound knowledge of office IT packages is also essential. Responsibilities You will ensure housing providers actively deliver the Council’s vision and strategy on affordable home ownership and intermediate housing. This includes developing and maintaining performance monitoring procedures, and providing advice and briefings to council staff, senior managers and elected members. The Individual You’ll combine a track-record of delivering service improvements and developing resident and community engagement with a broader understanding of housing regeneration and neighbourhood renewal. A relevant degree or professional qualification would be ideal, as would knowledge of project management. Additional Information It is essential that you include a supporting statement, addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience would enable you to meet all aspects of the post, as indicated in the job description and person specification. Please complete and upload your supporting statement in the 'CV & Document Upload' section.

More Info...

Job Description Affordable Housing Monitoring and Development Officer.doc

Click here to apply for this job

Head of Youth Crime Reduction - LBH

Directorate Children & Young People’s Service Service Area Youth Offending Team Salary £55,206 - £66,366 Shift Pattern Full Time - 36hrs, Monday / Friday Closing date for applications 28 March 2010

Reclaim Your Career in Hackney’s YOT Job Description Secondment/ Fixed term contract to October 2011 Reclaiming Social Work in Hackney is moving ahead. We have almost completed our change programme in Children’s Social Care and we are now reclaiming youth justice work using the same principles. We are very proud of what we have managed to achieve in Children’s and Young People Services over the last few years here in Hackney. With a solid track record in providing safe services to children with high level and complex needs we are increasingly able to draw resources into preventative work with a wider group of vulnerable families Responsibilities This is an opportunity to take forward our well established and well respected Youth Offending Team. You will be responsible for leading on the development and implementation of the Borough’s Youth Crime Reduction Strategy and for the effective management of the people resources and operations within the service area. You will also be expected to deputise for the Assistant Director of Youth Crime Reduction and work collaboratively with other Service Heads and Partners to ensure service delivery.    The Individual You will need to be a skilled negotiator with political sensitivity and be able to demonstrate a keen wish to realize the vision of Hackney’s Youth Offending Team. You will play a key part in engaging in the wider children’s partnership arrangements as well as working closely with colleagues to ensure thresholds for accessing services at each tier are understood and consistently applied by the professional network. We need a strong strategic thinker, with resilience, creative flair and a robust knowledge of, and attitude to, effective risk assessment. Additional Website Information If this sounds like the challenge you have been looking for, then please complete a personal statement (on two sheets of A4 paper) summarising what you feel you can bring to the role. For more information on how to apply call Sandra Segal on 020 8356 3798. For an informal discussion about the post please call Florence Kroll on 020 8356 1011. An enhanced CRB check is required for this role

More Info...

Head of Youth Crime Reduction.zip

Click here to apply for this job

Help Desk Assistant - LBH

Directorate Customer & Corporate Services Service Area Facilities Management Salary £22,920 - £24,819 Shift Pattern Other Closing date for applications 21 March 2010

Solving problems in our buildings and support services. The Role You will be the first point of contact for staff and customers, reporting building defects, or problems with support services within council buildings. The role involves prioritising calls, collating relevant information and liaise with internal teams, or external suppliers to ensure each problem is resolved. You will also be expected to manage the processes from inception to completion. The Requirements You must be able to handle a constantly changing flow of work, multi-tasking during busy times, and remaining productive during quieter periods. Good communication skills especially on the telephone are essential. You should also be familiar with Microsoft office software and have an understanding of the role facilities management has in delivering support services.   Responsibilities This is a key customer service and support role. In addition to being the first point of contact for the Corporate Facilities Management team, you will be expected to accurately record all contacts details and issues raised by clients. You will ensure accuracy of issues raised, establishing correct priorities on the helpdesk software, keeping track of performances by the approved suppliers. The Individual You must be able to work as part of a team, yet able to work alone when required.  Be well-organised and self-motivated.  You will have a calm, friendly, helpful attitude with good problem-solving skills.  You must be willing to work a weekly rota shift pattern, ensuring the help desk is operational between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday You’ll have good general knowledge of the kinds of problems that can develop in corporate buildings and the experience to deal with them in an efficient and customer-friendly way. Experience of working in an organisation where people carry out many different types of roles is important. Additional Information It is essential that you attach a supporting statement to demonstrate clearly and concisely how you meet each of the criteria of the person specification in the job description. If you do not address all the criteria fully, you will not be shortlisted. Please give specific examples wherever possible.   Interviews will take place on week commencing 12th April 2010.

More Info...

Help Desk Assistant Job Description.doc

Click here to apply for this job

Rough Sleeping Coordinator - LBH

Rough Sleeping Coordinator

Directorate Community Services Service Area Housing Option & Demand Salary £32,532 - £35,055 Shift Pattern Full Time - 36hrs, Monday / Friday Closing date for applications 23 March 2010

Creating joined-up services for rough sleepers. The Role You will ensure that we apply a coordinated approach to services for rough sleepers and street users in Hackney while managing our rough sleeping and street population strategy. You’ll also monitor local rough sleeping activity and responses to it, identifying trends and hot spot areas. The Requirements We’re looking for substantial experience of face-to-face service delivery with rough sleepers. You’ll have a proven track record of representing an agency in joint initiatives involving statutory and voluntary agencies. You’ll also have developed and reviewed services and policies related to rough sleepers. Responsibilities Alongside delivering and maintaining the Best Value Performance Indicator for rough sleeping, you will work closely with our partners, including arranging and chairing multi-agency meetings, in order to contribute to the rough sleepers agenda within the East London region and London The Individual Skilled in using IT and interpreting complex information, you will have the ability to communicate to a diverse range of audiences, and work effectively with staff and partners organisations. A sensitive approach to those who sleep rough is also essential. Website Information It is essential that you include a supporting statement, addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience would enable you to meet all aspects of the post, as indicated in the job description and person specification. Please complete and upload your supporting statement in the 'CV & Document Upload' section   This is a 6 months Secondment.   This role will require you to undergo a CRB.

More Info...

Rough Sleeping Coordinator Job Description.doc

Click here to apply for this job

Supporting People Officer - LBH

Directorate Community Services Service Area Access & Inclusion Salary £27,945 - £29,571 Shift Pattern Full Time - 36hrs, Monday / Friday Closing date for applications 23 March 2010

Help improve the lives of the homeless in Hackney The Role You will be key to coordinating support services for homeless people in Temporary Accommodation, enabling and empowering them to live independently and maintain their tenancies. The Requirements You will bring an understanding of the support needs of homeless people in Temporary Accommodation, as well as the supported housing sector and the Supporting People programme. Your organisational and personal administration skills will be highly developed and you’ll be prepared to negotiate and advocate on behalf of service users. Responsibilities Undertaking comprehensive needs and risk assessments of homeless people in Temporary Accommodation, to identify support issues in order to make appropriate referrals to other agencies for additional support.  Carrying a caseload of service users who may have support needs on a range of issues - both long and short-term - including mental health and domestic violence. Working together with them to develop agreed resettlement and support plans. The Individual A background in identifying support needs of vulnerable people and working with homeless people or other vulnerable adults will be essential. Experience of negotiating with service providers to offer the best solutions to service users. Additional Information It is essential that you include a supporting statement, addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience would enable you to meet all aspects of the post, as indicated in the job description and person specification. Please complete and upload your supporting statement in the 'CV & Document Upload' section. This post is Fixed Term Contract for 11 months You will be required to undergo an enhanced CRB.

More Info...

Supporting People Officer Job Description.doc

Click here to apply for this job

Supporting People Team Leader

Directorate Community Services Service Area Access & Inclusion Salary £32,532 - £35,055 Shift Pattern Other Closing date for applications 23 March 2010

Supporting People – Promoting Independence The Role You will lead the delivery of support services to homeless people in temporary accommodation. Capable of managing a team of Supporting People Officers, carrying out regular supervision and setting challenging goals. The Requirements Your experience in the supported housing sector in a similar role should have given you a good understanding of the support needs of homeless people. Knowledge of performance management techniques will also be vital. Responsibilities To ensure that Supporting People procedures are in place, government guidelines are followed, and all the assistance provided to vulnerable homeless people is in tune with the ethos of Supporting People. The Individual Strong on decision making, presentation, negotiation, and influencing, you will thrive within a generic structure and within an environment of constant change. You’ll also be prepared to work outside normal office hours and attend evening meetings. Additional Information It is essential that you include a supporting statement, addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience would enable you to meet all aspects of the post, as indicated in the job description and person specification. Please complete and upload your supporting statement in the 'CV & Document Upload' section. This post is Fixed Term Contract for 11 months You will be required to undergo an enhanced CRB.   You will be required to work outside of normal office hours and attend evening meetings for which no overtime will be paid.

More Info...

Supporting People Team Leader-Job Description.doc

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Outreach Development Worker - Refugee Forum Islington

17.5 hrs per week

The Refugee Forum is recruiting a Development Outreach Worker in order to bring together refugee/migrant community organisations to promote dialogue and partnership with other service providers and statutory bodies. Key areas of responsibility are to provide

• Outreach to refugee/migrant community organisations
• Administration and communication
• Policy support and development

Download application pack or email Alice.Johns@vai.org.uk

Programmes Manager - Futureversity

1 year initially with possibility of being extended

Tower Hamlets Summer University is about to rebrand as FUTUREVERSITY so we can strengthen our reputation at a local, regional and national level.
We are recruiting for a full time Programmes Manager to be responsible for managing programmes and partnerships in Tower Hamlets.

The Programmes Manager is responsible for: 

•  Overseeing the delivery of the summer and year round programmes including managing a team of dedicated delivery staff
• Providing strategic vision and development for the Programmes Team and their projects
• Managing the programmes budgets and effective monitoring of all programmes
• Ensuring FUTUREVERSITY: Tower Hamlets programmes comply with the FUTUREVERSITY model

Download application pack

Westminster Community Network Support Officer

Are you enthusiastic about community involvement? Can you support us in a fresh partnership between the statutory and voluntary sectors in Westminster?

In this role, you’ll be part of a small team supporting a network of voluntary organisations to influence strategic decision-making in Westminster.

You’ll be involved in running training and networking events, and providing voluntary sector representatives on statutory partnership groups with policy and administrative support.

A confident communicator, you’ll understand what makes effective community involvement, and be able to work creatively with colleagues in the voluntary and statutory sectors.

Download further information and application pack

Salary:£29,571 (pro rata)
Location:Westminster
Closing Date:31 March 2010

Project Workers - Living Space

• Salary: £20,460 inc. LW plus additional sleep in payments

Living Space is a specialist mental health charity in Hackney with both Residential Care and Supported Housing projects. To build for the future, we are looking for exceptional individuals to join our team.

Dedicated, hardworking and flexible, you'll thrive on the challenge of improving the lives of people affected by severe mental illness. Using your skills and expertise, you'll have the chance to make a contribution to one of London's most deprived but rapidly developing areas.

If you're looking for a challenge, this could be a great opportunity for you.

We are currently recruiting for the following post:

Project Workers

£20,460 inc. LW plus additional sleep in payments

Full-time (Ref: PW-MAR10)

Applicants holding NVQ2 in Care or VRQ2 in Mental Health for the Project Worker position would start at £21,101 inc. LW, plus additional sleep in payments.

Interview date: Project Workers - 13 April 2010.

Closing date: 12 noon, Wednesday, 24 March 2010.

If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please assume you have not been successful.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an "OPEN DAY" on Tuesday, 6 April 2010.

Striving to be an Equal Opportunities employer.

LIVING SPACE

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE

To apply visit website 

Mentoring Co-ordinator

Mentoring Co-ordinator

• Salary: Up to £29,607

 

I NEED MONEY TO LIVE, BUT GETTING A JOB WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD IS TOUGH.

HELP US HELP HIM FIND A WAY OUT.

When young people come out of custody, they're often at a crossroads in their lives. Our new Inspire Resettlement Service, funded by the London Development Agency (LDA) and European Social Fund (ESF) will work with young men aged 15 to 19 in making the right decisions to create positive changes in their lives.

This new, exciting resettlement service will be one of the largest in London. Working across 11 East London boroughs and a range of Young Offenders' Institutions (YOIs), the service will build lasting relationships with these young people, from getting to know them while they're still in custody, to helping them find a job or training opportunities when they're released. We'll also support them in finding accommodation and getting them help with any drug or alcohol problems they may have. Working closely with partner agencies is central to everything we do and ensures we deliver excellent outcomes for young people.

Catch22 is a national charity that works with young people facing tough situations; encouraging and guiding them through thick and thin. We work with over 37,000 young people in 150 neighbourhoods across the UK. By joining us you'll be helping to give young people a chance to get on in life.

Up to £29,607

East London

Recruiting, training and managing a team of 50 mentors, you'll share your in-depth understanding of young people and make sure that all mentors understand why they're needed, and what they can do to help. It'll be up to you to match mentors up with young people and make the whole process a success from the start.

You'll also use your influencing skills to promote mentoring to other agencies, raise the profile of what we're doing and attract potential mentors. With a successful track record in a similar role, you'll be used to working with young people in difficult situations and will have a good knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.

Closing date: 31 March 2010. Interviews: 14-29 April 2010.

No agencies please. If you're successful you'll have to consent to relevant checks by the Criminal Records Bureau and the young people you'll be working with will have a say in your appointment. Equal and diverse, we see the potential in everyone.

Registered charity no. 1124127

in partnership with

SUPPORTED BY LONDON DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

WORKING FOR THE MAYOR OF LONDON

European Union

European Social Fund

Investing in jobs and skills

catch22

helping young people out

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE

Click here for website 

Online course to develop as a strategic manager

A pilot online collaborative learning programme 'Personal development as a strategic manager' is being launched by the Cass Centre for Charity Effectiveness. Part of the KnowHow NonProfit study zone, the course lasts 8 weeks, and starts on 12th April. More information at http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/cce/resources/feb_10/development.htm.

Source Voluntary Resource News 

Funded Training and Coaching for Directors and Senior Managers

Receive up to £1000 of funding to help your organisation grow

This Train to Gain fund is for any organisation (private or non profit) that employs between 5 and 249 people – this number includes volunteer Directors who are members of Boards and Management committees.

Download moreinformation on the training

Source LVSC 

Guide for charity trustees with learning disabilities

The Charity Commission, in partnership with Mencap, has published a guide for trustees in the Easy Read format. 'Being a trustee' is intended to help charity trustees with learning disabilities to understand their role, covering many of the key aspects of the 'Essential Trustee' guide (CC3).

Download the guide from www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Library/publications/pdfs/cc3_easy.pdf. Large print, Braille and audio versions are available on request.

source: VolResource

Online toolkit for adult informal learning providers -

People who want to set up their own informal learning group will soon benefit from an online toolkit to help get them started. BIS has commissioned NIACE to produce an online toolkit for learning clubs and groups – including music groups, book clubs, photographic and craft groups, motorcycle and walking clubs – in fact, any group of people who want to come together to enjoy learning new things.

Whatever the size or subject of the group, there will be guidance in the toolkit to help get things off the ground and running smoothly. The project is being led by Ian Yarroll, NIACE regional programme director for the Midlands. He says: `Groups of all sizes and interests will be able to use the toolkit to find out about advertising, attracting new members, getting speakers and handling money.`

The toolkit will be available online soon. Find out more at http://learningrevolution.direct.gov.uk.

Source Voluntary Arts Newsletter 

Prove and Improve website

Prove and Improve – www.proveandimprove.org – is the revamped website from New Economics Foundation (nef) for the National Performance Programme, reflecting the updated quality and impact booklet ‘Proving and Improving: Tools for You’.

The website provides information on a range of tools to assist charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in the measurement and more effective management of their outcomes. Sign up now to consult ‘the advisor’, build your ‘impact map’ and track your progress.

www.proveandimprove.org

source Voluntary Arts Network 

Promoting BME work and performance improvement

A campaign has been launched by Voice4Change England to urge black and minority ethnic voluntary and community groups to promote the work they do, during a time of public spending cuts. Firstly they need to think about improving performance and evidencing the value and benefits of their work. http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk/performance.

Source Voluntary Resource   Newsletter

Realising Rights – Increasing ethnic minority womens access to justice

11 March 2010

A new report by the Fawcett Society examines the experiences of ethnic minority women throughout the criminal justice system – as offenders, victims and workers in the justice sector.

It explores the discrimination on the grounds of both race and sex that BAME women frequently face and the realities of a justice system which too often overlooks the needs of ethnic minority women in policy development and practice.

The report also makes a number of recommendations to tackle the problem of marginalisation including better use of Equality Tools and better evidence collection, highlighting the information gap on the experiences of women in the criminal justice system.

Download a copy of this report

Source LVSC 

Funding4Sport

Funding4Sport is a new website that has been created to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for organisations involved in sports, play and physical activity.

The main function of the website is to provide supporting materials such as templates, forms, toolkits, policies, research, strategies and development materials which organisations can use to help them gain funding. Be aware that there is an annual membership fee of £12.99 (we have not viewed the materials on the site - you will need to subscribe to do this).

See the Funding 4Sport website for more information.

Source SYFab 

Hackney Scrutiny Survey 2010

Do you live or work in Hackney? If so the Hackney Council scrutiny function would like to know what areas of public life they should review through their annual work programme. Scrutiny commissions complete strategic reviews of service areas to ensure the council is operating in the best possible manner, and that partners are helping to achieve our goals. This year the five committees have looked at a variety of topics: from housing overcrowding, estate safety, raising young people’s aspirations, health & workless, and even whether the Mayoral model is still right for Hackney.

We would love to hear what areas you think are a priority for the coming year, so please complete our very short survey. This can be found here, and hard copies can be requested from the Matt Clack (x3341). The deadline for responses is Friday 26^th March. For more information about scrutiny in Hackney please visit our webpage or email scrutiny@hackney.gov.uk.”

Voluntary and Community Sector Lettings Policy Consultation ends Friday - You can fill in online

Volunteering Strategy Consultation - ends Friday - have your say online here