Feedback from the Market Development Board - transformation of adult social care

latest feedback from the Market Development Board click here

Mind the Gap Training - tasters this week - get a head start in getting ready for April 2011

Because of the changes personalisation (individual budgets, outcomes focused, choice and being in control) is making to the market nationally and locally, please submit your application form so that you are better prepared to adapt to the changes and can influence how commissioners will shape the market.
 

Community Services, London Borough of Hackney are inviting two senior managers at yor organisation on to a new and unique programme for providers. The programme, called Mind the Gap, aspires to bring together providers and commissioners to co-design how personalisation will be implemented in Hackney.

 

We are having two taster sessions this week - 14th July and repeated on 15th July. They are free of charge. At these sessions, you will find out what is involved and how you will be supported and working with commissioners.

The full course is free to Voluntary Sector (not for profit ) organisations & a contributation of £350 is asked for from private sector (for profit) organisations.   

Would you like to join this programme and be a part of the personalisation journey with Hackney?

 Click here to download the flyer

Click here to download the application form 

Get ready to provide Self Directed Support course run by Helen Sanderson Associates

Recognised nationally as leaders in the field of Self Directed Support,  Hackney have commissioned Helen Sanderson Associates to run a course o help us to get ready to provide self directed support - book quickly as places are going fast, this course should help you be ready for  April 2011 when the target is 30% of service users eligible for help from adult social care will be on individual budgets.

 Click here for the brochure

Click here for the application form 

Pick n mix of short courses including sessions on tender writing

Click here for the brochure of short courses covering tendering, marketing etc with sessions from LBH's procurement department we can find out what they are looking for in a tender, plus working in partnership, forming a consortium, marketing & much more

Project Co-ordinator – Key Stage 4 provision *

Project Co-ordinator – Key Stage 4 provision

• Employer: CATCH 22
• Salary: Up to £30,000

 

Project Co-ordinator – Key Stage 4 provision

Up to £30,000 - Hackney

Our Catch22 Hackney Service is offering an exciting opportunity to an experienced co-ordinator. You will co-ordinated one of our alternative education provision (PRU) based in Clapton, East London, including some classroom delivery. Working to Ofsted targets, and in conjunction with The Learning Trust, you will have a sound understanding and skills that equip you for this year round role.

Having worked in this setting before, you will be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to the young people and have the ability to form a crucial part of the organisation.

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.

Closing date: 20 July 2010. Interview: 28 & 29 July 2010.

For further details about this post and other vacancies, visit catch-22.org.uk

Hackney LINk Steering Group election deadline for nominations 14th July

Nomination Packs now available

Hackney LINk will be holding its elections for the Steering Group, who determine the direction and priorities of Hackney LINk. There are now fifteen places on the Steering Group with eight places up for election who will hold a two year term. Hackney LINk members will complete a postal vote on who they think should be on the Steering Group.

Charity for the homeless faces eviction with sleeping rough set to soar

click here for full story from Hackney Citizen about Rhythms for Life

A new public garden in Dalston (by Peace Mural )

A meeting place for people and plants in Dalston

From 6th July the builders of the garden pavilion will be on site for three weeks to help us build the furniture we need (compost bins, benches, raised planters, etc) and to support other garden activities like planting and watering. This is a great time to come and get involved or to sit back and watch the plants grow.

Look out for details of activities at the Garden or sign up to our mailing list (email tellme@dalstongarden.com or leave your details at the garden).

Current opening times are 11am - 8pm every day. The entrance is on Dalston Lane, through the black wooden fence next to the Peace Mural

For more information www.dalstongarden.com
or email tellme@dalstongarden.com
or phone 020 7503 1386
or just drop in when you’re passing

Click here for a Google Map

Hackney Credit Union is closing down

 
Hackney Credit Union has been instructed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to stop all
transactions except receiving loan repayments with immediate effect. This means that members
cannot take money out or pay money into their accounts. All members’ money is safe, as it is
protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and members will be able to
claim it back from them.
 
The Board of Directors is doing everything within its power to ensure that members are able to
claim their money back as quickly as possible.
 
We recognise that a small number of members, who get their benefits or salaries paid into the
credit union, may be seriously affected by our sudden closure as they cannot access their money.
We hope that any of our partners will appreciate the difficult circumstances that they face and
help in any way that they can.
 
Hackney Credit Union has experienced some difficulties during the last two years, including the
departure of key staff members, difficulties in completing audited accounts, and a reduction in
external funding. It can generate its own income from loan interest and bank interest, but neither
of these has grown as expected. In addition, a number of loans that have been made to members
have not been paid back. Essentially, Hackney Credit Union no longer has sufficient funding to
cover the cost of operating the branch office and it has to close down its service.
 
The Board of Directors, an elected group of members working voluntarily to run the credit union,
had previously been optimistic that the situation could be resolved and that a sustainable future
for the credit union could be secured. The Financial Services Authority has been very supportive Hackney Credit Union is authorised and regulated by Financial Services Authority (FSA) – Firm Number 429043
of our efforts, but as the regulator does have to make difficult decisions. As soon as the Board
received notification from the FSA, we took the decision to refer the Credit Union to the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) so that members would be able to get their
money back as quickly as possible. All members have been informed of the situation and how the
claim process will work. It is expected that all members will receive their money within eight
weeks of submitting their claim, and the Board will continue to work with the FSCS to ensure the
claims of members are paid as soon as possible.
 
Hackney Credit Union will try really hard to keep the branch open for the next couple of weeks,
for our normal opening hours, to answer any questions that you may have and to provide
assistance with completing the claim form. Unfortunately we do not know how long this will be
able to continue.
 
We deeply regret that Hackney Credit Union will no longer be able to provide a service to people
who live, work or study in Hackney.
 
 
 
Background Information
 
1.  Hackney Credit Union has been operating since 2005 and has approx 2000 members that
will be affected by the closure of its services.
 
2.  All credit unions operate as completely independent organisations and the circumstances
in Hackney have no bearing on the services provided by other credit unions, in
neighbouring London boroughs or further afield.
 
3.  Hackney Credit Union is registered as an Industrial and Provident Society with the
Financial Services Authority as the regulator for the financial services industry.
 
4.  Hackney Credit Union is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
(FSCS). The FSCS can pay compensation to depositors if a credit union is unable to meet
its financial obligations. Most depositors – including most individuals and small
businesses – are covered by the scheme.  
 
In respect of deposits, an eligible depositor is entitled to claim up to £50,000. For joint
accounts each account holder is treated as having a claim in respect of their share so, for a
joint account held by two eligible depositors, the maximum amount that could be claimed
would be £50,000 each (making a total of £100,000). The £50,000 limit relates to the
combined amount in all the eligible depositor’s accounts with the credit union, including
their share of any joint account, and not to each separate account.  
 
For further information about the scheme (including the amounts covered and eligibility
to claim) please ask at your local branch, refer to the FSCS website
http://www.fscs.org.uk or call 0800 678 1100. 

The Dalston Project: a community profile

source Hackney Citizen

Have a Go Event at Shoreditch park this Saturday

Source Dalston People 

A selection of adventurous family activities are on offer outdoors in the park and indoors at Brittania Leisure Centre.

Hackney Council said: "It’s all for fun and it’s all for free…and you don’t need to be super fit to join us!"

Try out tai chi and trampoline or give beach / seated volley ball a go; enjoy spinning classes in the fresh air or join the crowd for our mass outdoor aerobics session. Get to grips with table tennis or turn your hand at basket ball and squash.

There will be seven sports points set up in the park, where children and families can enjoy mini team games, track running, football, rugby and ‘sports day’ style races. Local coaches will be on hand all day to encourage absolute beginners and add grease to the elbows of those who may have gone a bit rusty.

Cllr Jonathan Mcshane, Member of cabinet for Community Services said: “Have a go” adds up to a great Saturday out for kids wanting to try out healthy, activities or just enjoy a free day out in the fresh air. It’s all about enjoying yourself outdoors in a safe and family-friendly environment.

The park will be home to healthy food stalls where you can get your ‘Five a Day’ in the most interesting of ways – try out fresh fruit snow cones; fruit cup smoothies; Mediterranean Mama’s or the alfresco chicken BBQ.

Stalls will include the Health Zone, run by NHS City and Hackney – for information or to get a free health MOT; Ramblers Association - who will hand out Hackney walking maps; TFL – on hand to advise and explain Hackney's new bike hire scheme; and the Purple Bus run by Hackney Council’s Youth Services.  There will also be a chance to sign up to wide range of local sports clubs, groups and classes.

Pocus media, will also be on hand to snap fun pictures of the action. People with 19" screens on their backs will be snapping up pictures of posers or anyone who wants to prove that they got on that trampoline! The pictures will then be available to download in a cool frame, from the Parks for Life website.

Part of Hackney Council’s ‘Parks for Life’ scheme, ‘Have a Go’, is just one of a packed programme of healthy events taking place in Hackney’s parks this summer. The activities, run in association with NHS City and Hackney, have a strong emphasis on “healthy green living”, and aim to encourage people to use the parks as a route to well-being through fresh air, outdoor exercise and healthy eating.

This event is run by Hackney Council in association with Greenwich Leisure Limited.

What: Parks for Life Have A Go sports activity day

Where: Shoreditch Park (New North Road, N1 6TA) and Brittania Leisure Centre

www.hackney.gov.uk/parksforlife

When: Saturday 10 July from 11am until 5pm.

Why: Because it’s fun, because it’s healthy, because it’s outdoors and indoors.

FREE

Prostrate Cancer Awareness

Fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research,support,information & campaiging  .Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.  .36,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.  .One man dies every hour of prostate cancer.  .10,000 men die of prostate cancer each year.  .Two thirds of people do not know where the prostate is located.  .10% of people thought that women have a prostate cancer too.  .African caribbean men are 3 times more likely to develop  prostate cancer than white men  .If you want to know more about prostate cancer - Please send  your details to HOSPITAL & PRISON ACTION NETWORK  Wally Foster Centre, Homerton Road,London E9 5QB   ( please send your Name,Address,Tel/Mobile,Email etc ) . Event coming up in AUGUST 2010 in Hackney

Payment-by-results could drive out smaller charities, say leaders

By Lauren Higgs
Children & Young People Now
6 July 2010 

Government plans to introduce payment-by-results for providers of children and young people's services could jeopardise early intervention work and drive small charities out of business, sector leaders have warned.

 The Conservatives mooted plans to expand the use of payment-by-results in public service delivery before the election, since the system has been employed to incentivise health and welfare-to-work providers for some time.

Junior children's minister Tim Loughton said at a conference last week that the Department for Education is "investigating" ways in which to use payment-by-results to improve cost-effectiveness in children and young people's services. "That's only right and sensible, particularly in current circumstances," he said.

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke announced also last week that payment-by-results would be used to help rehabilitate offenders. But the model would be new to wider children and young people's services.

Kathy Evans, deputy chief executive of Children England, which represents more than 100 children's charities, said organisations could struggle to stay afloat under such a system. "Payment-by-results infers that payment is made after costs are incurred,"

she said. "That represents an accounting revolution. An organisation's ability to pay staff and pay for premises on the expectation of getting paid would be a major challenge."

She added that it is difficult to impose a timescale on when a project can be deemed to have worked. "With intervention work in the early years, we can be talking about seeing the outcomes in adulthood."

Sir Paul Ennals, chief executive of the National Children's Bureau, argued that introducing payment-by-results could encourage providers to skew services towards making short-term gains. "Payment-by-results could lead to designing services around the funding rather than around what the evidence shows works," he said. "I'm not against it in principle; I'm just unconvinced that we have a good model to deliver it in practice."

He added that payment-by-results would favour larger charities and providers, despite the fact that government wants small grassroots organisations to deliver services as part of the big society vision.

"If we want small charities to be service providers, most of them wouldn't have the working capital to be able to wait until the outcomes have become evident for their funding," Ennals said.

But Joyce Moseley, chief executive of youth charity Catch 22, urged charities not to fear payment-by-results.

"We should be able to put our money where our mouth is," she said. "Payment-by-results might not work for early intervention schemes, but that doesn't stop us using it for other projects with more immediate outcomes."

PAYMENT-BY-RESULTS

• Payment-by-results was introduced to the NHS in 2002 as part of an overhaul to improve cost-effectiveness, reward efficiency and promote patient choice
• Labour used part payment-by-results to incentivise welfare-to-work providers
• The new government plans to expand the use of payment-by-results and has promised to provide higher payments to providers that get the long-term unemployed into work
• Justice Secretary Ken Clarke announced last week that payment-by-results would be used to help rehabilitate young offenders
• Tim Loughton confirmed the Department for Education is "investigating" ways in which to use payment-by-results

Read CYP Now editor Ravi Chandiramani's leader.

Croydon Council to slash sector funding by two-thirds

By Andy Ricketts, Third Sector Online, 7 July 2010

Voluntary organisations ask for more time to explore collaboration and mergers

The south London local authority is proposing to cut grants to local voluntary organisations from £1.8m a year to £625,000 a year over the next four years, a drop of almost 66 per cent.

The plans will be discussed at a council cabinet meeting on 12 July. If they are approved, many organisations that rely on local authority grants will struggle to survive, council papers indicate.

The council received 167 applications from 126 different organisations for money from its Stronger Communities fund. Under the proposals, only six will receive grants totalling £625,000 a year between October and September 2014.

Steve Phaure, chief executive of Croydon Voluntary Action, which has been allocated £180,000 a year under the proposals, argues that the 66 per cent reduction is a "disproportionate blow for Croydon’s voluntary sector" given the 25 per cent overall cuts local authorities have been tasked with delivering after last month’s emergency Budget.

"The organisations being cut are working with some of the most disadvantaged people in Croydon," he said.

"CVA is asking Croydon Council to hold off from making these cuts to give us the opportunity to work with our members, because there is scope for closer collaboration and possible mergers that can take place if we are given the time."

Vidhi Mohan, Croydon’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "With the current funding climate, the priority is now to fund those enabling organisations that have a broad reach across the area and commission services from others as we need them, which is far more efficient.

"However, we accept that many groups that have previously been well funded might now have difficult decisions to make.

"We will actually be looking to commission more front-line services from the voluntary sector in future, not fewer. But we will do that in a different way."

Two charities in Northamptonshire are facing closure after making failed bids to provide services totalling more than £1.1m for disabled people. Disabled People's Alliance Northamptonshire will close next month after it missed out on a renewed contract to provide disabled people’s services.

Parents in Partnership, which supports families of children with learning disabilities, is considering its future after it missed out on a £600,000 advocacy service contract. The contract went to Advocacy Partners Speaking Up.

Northamptonshire County Council said it had followed a formal tendering process and that negotiations were under way to ensure local staff were transferred to the new advocacy service.

Photo expedition competition - draw closes tonight

Be part of London 2012 Open Weekend and win tickets for an Olympic Park photo expedition.

From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 July 2010 hundreds of sport, art and cultural challenges are being held all over the UK for London 2012 Open Weekend, enabling thousands of people to actively celebrate the two year countdown to the start of the 2012 Games. 

London 2012 has 60 pairs of tickets up for grabs for a fun-packed photo expedition bus tour on Saturday 24 July 2010 that will challenge your powers of deduction and photographic skills.

On the eve of the two year countdown to the start of the 2012 Games, we invite you to follow the clues and photograph your way around the Olympic Park on this very special tour. See for yourself the progress being made and be one of the first members of the public to enter the Velodrome.

Here's how you can enter the prize draw:

First, be sure to check the Terms and Conditions below to check you're eligible for this competition, and remember:

·         You must be aged 16 years or over to enter

·         Any winners aged 16 or 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over

·         You must be able to be in London on the morning of 24 July 2010

·         Entries for the competition close at midnight on Monday 12 July 2010

Then...

1) Go to the official London 2012 Open Weekend Facebook Page and click the 'Like' button (if you haven't already)

2) Also on the official London 2012 Open Weekend Facebook Page, click the 'Like' button under the status update about this competition

3) Send us an email to media.relations@london2012.com with the subject "Photo Expedition", and containing a link to your own Facebook Page, and the answer to this question:  

Track Cycling world champion Ed Clancy helped launch Open Weekend 2010. Which Olympic Park venue will host Track Cycling in 2012?

a) VeloPark

b) Olympic Stadium

c) Aquatics Centre

(If you're struggling to find the answer, this might help)

Closing date: Monday 12 July

 More information at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/open-weekend/photo-expedition-competition.php

GP commissioning raises tough questions says Unison

Serious concerns about charities rise by 75 per cent, says Charity Commission

By Ben Cook, Third Sector Online, 8 July 2010

Regulator's annual report says it looked into 2,600 cases in year to March

The number of "serious concerns" about charities increased by nearly 75 per cent last year, according to the annual report of the Charity Commission, published yesterday.

The regulator assessed 2,600 such concerns in the year to 31 March, compared to 1,504 the previous year. The assessments led to 180 new investigations, the report says, compared with 168 in 2008/09.

"The recurrent themes in our compliance work were financial mismanagement, issues concerning trustee duties and responsibilities, cases involving vulnerable beneficiaries and inappropriate political activities, and campaigning charities," the report says.

A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: "We have continued to see an increase in the reporting of concerns to the commission by the public as well as a rise in the number of referrals from other agencies. This is largely due to a greater awareness of our regulatory role in identifying and investigating apparent or potential mismanagement and misconduct in charities.

"An increase in the number of serious incident reports from charities, probably due to growing awareness among trustees about the reporting requirement for charities, has also contributed to the higher number of assessment cases."

The report says 180,000 charities in England and Wales are registered with the commission, and they have a total income of £52bn. They employ more than 700,000 staff and call on the services of 850,000 trustees.

The commission’s expenditure in 2009/10 totalled £32.7m, up slightly from £32.3m in 2008/09.

NHS funds to be distributed by doctors under proposed reforms- Guardian article

Changes to legislation would see GPs decide which hospitals would treat their patients and allocate cash accordingly

• Denis Campbell and Hélène Mulholland
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 10.26 BST
• Article history

Ministers are pressing ahead with controversial plans to give GPs control over £80bn of NHS funding, that will see them arrange medical services for their patients.

The move is part of radical changes in the health service outlined in a white paper due next week, that is likely to lead to thousands of job losses among NHS managers and administrators.

The NHS Confederation, which represents primary care trusts, described the move to give cash directly to doctors as a "major shift" and warned that the reforms could lead to the health service looking more like the "gas and telecom market" than the NHS.

The planned shake-up outlined also casts doubt on the assurances given by the coalition to "stop the top-down reorganisations of the NHS".

The health secretary, Andrew Lansley, will confirm his backing for a policy the Conservatives set out in opposition, which transfers responsibility for commissioning and paying for patients' treatment in England from 152 primary care trusts (PCTs) to groups of family doctors.

The move will put GPs in charge of deciding which hospital or facility should provide care for their patients. They will also pay for the treatment and become responsible for £80bn of spending.

GPs will be obliged to take on these responsibilities and will not be able to opt out, which may not please those who wish to concentrate on patient care and not have extra managerial and financial duties. A previous similar plan, called GP fund-holding, faltered when few doctors got involved.

The white paper is also expected to rubber-stamp plans to scrap England's 10 strategic health authorities, which oversee the provision of healthcare locally. It may also signal the end of the PCTs. They and the SHAs together cost about £1.6bn to run, and the coalition is keen to slash NHS management by about 30%.

The BMA and Royal College of General Practitioners are expected to broadly welcome the planned changes. It is unclear if GPs, who earn an average of £106,000, will be paid extra for the work.

Nigel Edwards, the acting chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the proposed changes would create "a market dynamic".

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We will have to see the details in the white paper. but I think this is quite a major shift because the end product of these reforms will probably end up looking like the gas and telecom market rather than the NHS we have been used to in the sense big organisations making big contracts.

"I think the concept of lots of decisions by GPs when they make referrals and send people to hospital can be added up and will create a sort of market dynamic."

Edwards said that health authorities not only manage funding, but also oversee performance in local health services and carry out a number of statutory functions, such as emergency planning for their local area.

"That of course needs a transitional team to the new system.There are some quite some significant risks because obviously it will take some time to implement it."

Edwards said that the plans were at odds with a pledge to stop constant shake-ups of the health service, which has seen the number of health authorities and trusts changed three times in the past decade.

"There was a promise in various manifestos to not have a top-down reorganisation. It seems very obvious to many people in the NHS that this is the likely consequence of what he is proposing," he said.

Lansley is expected to point to a commitment in the coalition document that had promised to strengthen the power of GPs to enable them to commission care on their patients' behalf.

Source Guardian 

Trust funding for projects for people with mental & physical illness or education

Tender to do evaluation of Volunteering England programme- modernising volunteering national support

Volunteering England is commissioning an evaluation of our 3 year Modernising Volunteering National Support Services project (April 2008-March 2011). It will be in the region of £8-12,000 inclusive of VAT with a full report to be completed by Monday 20th September 2010. The Modernising Volunteering National Support Services (MVNSS) aims to modernise volunteering in a number of key priority areas.  

 

The deadline for proposals is 5pm, Monday 19th July 2010 and should be sent via email to the NSS Administrator, Nigel Thomas: nigel.thomas@volunteeringengland.org. Interviews for short listed consultant(s) will be the following week, Tuesday 27th July, with further discussions and contract sign off the day after (Wednesday 28th July).

 

Please contact Nigel Thomas: nigel.thomas@volunteeringengland.org or 020 7520 8924 to request a full tender brief and more information.

up to £7k for projects that promote cultural exchange with Japan. Manga exhibition anyone?

The Daiwa Foundation - Small Grants Programme

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 02:57 AM PDT

The Daiwa Foundation supports closer links between Britain and Japan, and is currently seeking applications under its small grants programme. Grants of between £3,000 and £7,000 are available to individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK to promote and support interaction between the two countries.

Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and other projects and events that fulfil this broad objective. New initiatives are especially encouraged.

The next deadline for applications is 30 September 2010, and a decision will be made by 30 November. For more information, visit the Daiwa Foundation’s website here.

Source SYFAB

development & investment programme social enterprise that prevent & tackle homelessness

Spark 2010

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 02:31 AM PDT

Spark is a development and investment programme supporting social enterprises that prevent and tackle homelessness including organisations that work with people who are at risk of being homeless. The overall objective is to select those organisations that can achieve the most social impact towards the core aim: to prevent or tackle homelessness.

Spark has five specific goals:

• To enable more homeless and vulnerably-housed people to move into independent living and employment
• To champion and build sustainable social enterprise models
• To increase sustainability and impact of sector in tackling homelessness compared to existing models of intervention
• To develop more valuable connections and partnerships between the private, public and third sectors
• To continue testing, promoting and disseminating the value of social enterprise and the Spark model.

Applications are now open for Spark 2010. The programme is offering shares of Spark’s £1.6 million fund to charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises, housing associations, local authorities and primary care trusts. Its aim is to give organisations and individuals the opportunity to address homelessness through social enterprise.

The deadline for applications is 13 August 2010, with the finalists announced on 1 September 2010. For more information, visit the Spark website here.

Source SYFAB

haringey provision of support to young people re substance misuse

clck here for the tender specification

proviosion of haringey young people substance misuse

click here for link

Disabled young peoples homecare - what should be in the specification ?

Dear Voluntary Sector Organisation

Specification for DCS Homecare Service

The London Borough of Hackney Disabled Children’s Service will be tendering for Homecare services. Therefore I am writing to you to invite your organisation to participate in designing the specification for this service. This is an opportunity to let the CYPS Contract Team have any ideas or suggestions that you feel would enhance the service and be beneficial to young people and their family/carers. This does not mean that all ideas and suggestions will be incorporated within the specification but they will all be considered and will be responded to. All ideas and suggestions must be in by 30^th September 2010 any returns beyond this date may not be taken into account

Yours Sincerely

City Pathfinder Evaluation

/0061

City Strategy Pathfinder Evaluation (210KB)

Supporting document

City Strategy Pathfinder RFQ (64KB)

If you have any difficulties downloading the documents please email: liz.fenton@host-boroughs.org.uk

ROUGH SLEEPING CO-ORDINATOR (tender for consultant / agency)

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE POST OF

ROUGH SLEEPING CO-ORDINATOR

The London Borough of Hackney is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced providers for the provision of a consultant to co-ordinate the work of all agencies and play a part in reducing the number of people sleeping rough in the borough.

Reporting to the Housing Options and Advice team, the post holder will oversee, on a day to day basis, the work of the Council’s contracted providers and lead on behalf of the Access & Inclusion team in relation to rough sleeping and street population issues as well as contributing to the development and management of Hackney's Rough Sleeping and Street Population strategy.

This project will assist in the development of a more preventative approach to rough sleeping by creating links with statutory bodies and the third sector and delivering services to rough sleepers and the street population within the borough.  This includes the promotion of health and well being which will have a positive impact upon health related services. The post holder will have an opportunity to contribute to achieving the 2012 target of reducing rough sleeping to nil and halving the numbers of people in temporary accommodation. 

The Council welcomes applications from organisations who have a proven track record in providing these services (as evidenced through accreditation) and/or providers who already hold contracts for these types of services.

This service will be let as a consultancy contract and is expected to begin in September 2010 for a period of one year.

Full details of service requirements and the service specifications are included within the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire/ (PQQ) pack which is available from: 

Shahid Islam

Procurement Officer

London Borough of Hackney

Hackney Service Centre

1 Hillman Street

London Borough of Hackney E8 1DY

Tel:  020 8356 2142

Fax:  020 8356 5762

E-mail:  cscontracts3@hackney.gov.uk

The deadline for the return of the completed Pre-Qualification Questionnaire is 12:00 hours, Friday 16^th July - WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

Small Charities Big Impact - Guardian Charity Awards closes 16th

Click here for website

Exciting new opportunity to do research with FbRN in association with the Faiths and Civil Society

Exciting new opportunity to do research with FbRN in association with the Faiths and Civil Society Unit, Goldsmiths, University of London

We are looking for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate to work with our ‘Faith Organisations Becoming Visible Programme’
http://www.fbrn.org.uk/fbrn-visible-programme-quality-assurance-faith-based-organisations  
This is a 1 year fixed term 0.4 of full-time equivalent post.
 
VISIBLE is a quality assurance assessment tool designed by the highly respected community sector support organisation, Community Matters and endorsed by the Charity Commission, and the Local Government Association. The FbRN Programme will assess the value of VISIBLE to faith based organisations and, working closely with Community Matters and the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London, will adapt the VISIBLE process so that faith based organisations can use it more effectively.
 
The Research Associate will work as part of the FbRN team to assist in:
 
a)     identifying the barriers faced by local faith based organisations in meeting quality standards
b)     identifying quality standard evidence required by potential partner organisations including government and funders
c)      identifying adaptations required to the VISIBLE process in order for it to be an effective framework for faith based organisations
d)     identifying a methodology to promote the use, value and purpose of quality standards among faith based organisations
e)     researching the reflective practice methods and their impact within a quality standards framework among faith based organisations.
 
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual. You will have experience of working in both the mainstream and the faith based part of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). You will gain skills in: evaluation, specifically in designing and carrying out an evaluation of a project as it is happening; experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team; and of running small-scale events such as focus groups. Your knowledge base will be enhanced in terms of the VCS more widely and specifically the factors affecting faith based organisations, including those related to public policy.
 
You will be employed by Goldsmiths, and working for FbRN. You will be supported by Dr Adam Dinham, Director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths and Dr Doreen Finneron, Executive Director of FbRN, with the FbRN staff. The pay scale for this post will be between £23,572 and £26,201 pro rata, including London weighting.
 
Job description and application form available from the Goldsmiths website http://www.gold.ac.uk/jobs/ the reference number is PAC000008

Institutional Fundraiser

Full-time, £35,000-£40,000 per annum

New Philanthropy Capital is recruiting for an Institutional Fundraiser, responsible for bringing in funding for NPC’s research and special projects from a range of sources, including trusts and foundations. Duties will include identifying funding opportunities, preparing and submitting proposals, building relationships with institutional funders, and providing feedback to funders.

Click here to read the full job description and details of how to apply.

The deadline for applications is Monday August 2nd 2010.

Please email Laura Finch or call 020 7785 6323 with any queries regarding the application process.

Read about internship opportunities here.

Find out about making speculative enquiries.

Click here to find out more about working for NPC.

Policy Officer - City of London

Ref No

TC198

Salary

£29,690 - £39,270 pa inclusive depending on experience/performance

Department

Town Clerk's Department

Description

A vacancy exists in the Town Clerk's Department within the team who provide advice and guidance on policy implications and to work on projects and initiatives across the organisation. Your primary responsibilities will include the City's planning, transportation, open spaces and heritage activities. As a Policy Officer you will contribute to the influencing and co-ordinating role of the Town Clerk's Department by identifying and progressing emerging topics, for example government proposals, regional policies and their implications for the City, and critically reviewing proposals to ensure that they are consistent with the strategic objectives for the City of London Corporation. The role will also include the co-ordination of a range of projects and initiatives and close liaison with senior representatives from a number of departments across the organisation. Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, are essential as well as some experience of policy work either in a local government or similar agency. Good IT and organisational skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines will assist you in this role Closing date:12 noon on 23 July 2010 The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Location

Guildhall, London, EC2

Contact details

To apply online, please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/jobs Alternatively, please contact the Corporate Recruitment Unit on 020 7332 3978 (24hr answerphone) quoting reference TC198. A minicom service for the hearing impaired available on 020 7332 3732.

Contact email

cru@cityoflondon.gov.uk - Please include your name and address.

Closing date

2010-07-23

Documents

Job Information Pack TC198.pdf

How to complete the application form (PDF).pdf

Downloadable Word Application Form TC198.doc

 

Social Therapist

Job Reference:

 363-FR–0003

Job Title:

 Social Therapist

Area of Work:

 Mental Health

Employer:

 East London NHS Foundation Trust

Department:

 FR - Forensics

Location:

 Hackney, London

Salary:

 £21,092 to £24,059 inclusive

Job Type:

Permanent  

Staff Group:

Allied Health Professionals  

Pay Scheme:

Agenda for change  

Pay Band:

3  

Working pattern:

37.5 hour per week 

Closing Date:

23/07/2010 

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Description

East London NHS Foundation Trust is a mental health trust which provides services to the City of London, the London Boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham. The Trust also provides forensic services to the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, and provides some specialist mental health services to North London, Hertfordshire and Essex.

We provide a range of community, outpatient and inpatient services for children and young people, adults and older people.

The Trust's Headquarters are located in Tower Hamlets. We operate from 47 community sites, four main inpatient sites and have 660 inpatient beds. The Trust has an income of £184.7 million and most of this comes from our local Primary Care Trusts.

The Trust is linked with the University of London, City University and South Bank University.

_______________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE please visit our Trust Careers Website www.eastlondon.nhs.uk/work_for_us
_______________________________________________________________________________

The successful applicant will have an interest in working with people with a learning disability and challenging behaviours.

The role will involve forming and maintaining therapeutic relationships, co facilitating groups and activities and ensuring that the policies of the Forensic Service are adhered to.

An interest in understanding the motivation for behaviour and what can be done to redress that will be beneficial. An ability to engage others is essential as is being skilled in all manner of communication.

The Salary Consists of:

Basic Salary of £15,610 - £18,577 per annum, plus a High Cost Area Supplement which is 20% of the basic salary (subject to a minimum payment of £4,036 and a maximum payment of £6,217 per annum)

An additional recruitment and retention premium of £1,446 per annum is also payable for this role

Please contact the below for any informal queries-

Lorraine Greene on Lorraine.greene@eastlondon.nhs.uk
_______________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE please visit our Trust Careers Website

http://ea1.earcu.com/eastlondonnhs/jobs/vacancy/57/description/
_______________________________________________________________________________

*Please note – if you are shortlisted for this post you will be contacted by the human resources department via e-mail, please ensure therefore that you check your e-mail account regularly. All successive correspondence will also be sent via e-mail.

If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion*


We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date should we have an overwhelming response to this advert.

As part of our commitment to improving working lives, we have a range of innovative work-life balance policies and applications are welcome from people interested in working flexibly. Single Living accommodation may be available. Committed to equal opportunities we welcome applications from people who reflect the diversity of our service users including those with mental health problems.

For further information about our Trust please click on the link to East London NHS Foundation Trust website.

In line with the jobcentreplus two ticks symbol, all applicants who have declared that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for a post will be shortlisted.

All posts that involve regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of children and/or vulnerable adults will be subject to an enhanced CRB check.

More information

You can view more information about this employer and this vacancy by clicking on any of the Job Pack Documents or Further Links below. Clicking a link will open a pop-up window containing the relevant details. You may view, print or download the details from there.

Documents

• Job Description (198 KB)
• Person Specification (172 KB)
• CRB Policy & Procedure (249 KB)
• Forensic Services (367 KB)
• Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (176 KB)
• Recruitment Information on Foundation Trust (181 KB)
• Routes 2 Employment - Positive Statement (178 KB)

Further Links

• This is East London NHS Foundation Trust Home Page
• Trust Brochure

CRB Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Bilingual (Sylhetti speaking) Support, Time & Recovery Worker

Job Reference:

 363-TH-0004

Job Title:

 Bilingual (Sylhetti speaking) Support, Time & Recovery Worker

Area of Work:

 Mental Health

Employer:

 East London NHS Foundation Trust

Department:

 TH - Tower Hamlets

Location:

 Tower Hamlets, London

Salary:

 £22,188 to £26,157 inclusive (pro rata)

Job Type:

Fixed Term Temporary  

Staff Group:

Allied Health Professionals  

Pay Scheme:

Agenda for change  

Pay Band:

4  

Working pattern:

22.5 hours per week 

Closing Date:

16/07/2010 

Interview Date:

26/07/2010 

Add this vacancy to my job basket

Description

East London NHS Foundation Trust is a mental health trust which provides services to the City of London, the London Boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham. The Trust also provides forensic services to the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, and provides some specialist mental health services to North London, Hertfordshire and Essex.

We provide a range of community, outpatient and inpatient services for children and young people, adults and older people.

The Trust's Headquarters are located in Tower Hamlets. We operate from 47 community sites, four main inpatient sites and have 660 inpatient beds. The Trust has an income of £184.7 million and most of this comes from our local Primary Care Trusts.

The Trust is linked with the University of London, City University and South Bank University.

_______________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE please visit our Trust Careers Website www.eastlondon.nhs.uk/work_for_us
_______________________________________________________________________________

Band 4 Bilingual (Sylhetti Speaking) Support, Time & Recovery Worker (3 days per week for six months)

We are looking for a highly motivated Bilingual (Sylhetti Speaking) Support, Time & Recovery worker to cover a six month period of maternity leave. The successful applicant will enhance the team skill base, contribute to the provision of a high quality service to people aged 18-35 with a first episode of psychosis as well as actively engage with the Bengali community. You will be fluent in written and spoken English and Sylhetti and have excellent communication skills. Health service experience is not essential but experience of mental health related work in the voluntary sector would be an advantage.

THEIS is an early intervention in psychosis service for young adults experiencing severe mental health difficulties for the first time. We provide a range of psychosocial interventions working within the care programme approach framework in collaboration with service users, carers and other relevant agencies. The interventions are offered in individual, group and family contexts, and commonly require an outreach approach.

THEIS helps service users to regain confidence, maximise quality of life and avoid relapse by offering support and counselling during the critical three-year period following the first episode. We work to an assertive outreach model in order to establish initial contact. Goals are agreed to meet clients’ individual needs including education, employment, independent housing, social participation, physical health and finances. Support is offered in individual and group contexts and in collaboration with other services as appropriate.

The Salary Consists of:

Basic Salary of £18,152 - £21,798 per annum, plus a High Cost Area Supplement which is 20% of the basic salary (subject to a minimum payment of £4,036 and a maximum payment of £6,217 per annum)

Please contact the below for any informal queries-

Brian Toye on 0207 364 1630 or Brian.Toye@eastlondon.nhs.uk
_______________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE please visit our Trust Careers Website www.eastlondon.nhs.uk/work_for_us or http://ea1.earcu.com/eastlondonnhs/jobs/vacancy/55/description/
_______________________________________________________________________________

*Please note – if you are shortlisted for this post you will be contacted by the human resources department via e-mail, please ensure therefore that you check your e-mail account regularly. All successive correspondence will also be sent via e-mail.

If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion*


We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date should we have an overwhelming response to this advert.

As part of our commitment to improving working lives, we have a range of innovative work-life balance policies and applications are welcome from people interested in working flexibly. Single Living accommodation may be available. Committed to equal opportunities we welcome applications from people who reflect the diversity of our service users including those with mental health problems.

For further information about our Trust please click on the link to East London NHS Foundation Trust website.

In line with the jobcentreplus two ticks symbol, all applicants who have declared that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for a post will be shortlisted.

All posts that involve regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of children and/or vulnerable adults will be subject to an enhanced CRB check.

More information

You can view more information about this employer and this vacancy by clicking on any of the Job Pack Documents or Further Links below. Clicking a link will open a pop-up window containing the relevant details. You may view, print or download the details from there.

Documents

• Job Description (188 KB)
• Person Specification (178 KB)
• CRB Policy & Procedure (249 KB)
• Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (176 KB)
• Recruitment Information on Foundation Trust (181 KB)
• Routes 2 Employment - Positive Statement (178 KB)

Further Links

• This is East London NHS Foundation Trust Home Page
• Trust Brochure

CRB Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Event Services Staffing Cluster Manager

Job summary

The Event Services Staffing Cluster Manager will be responsible for planning, sourcing and scheduling all staff for a cluster of venues for Games-time operations.

Job description

Event Services will be responsible for approximately 10,000 volunteers, as well as hundreds of paid staff and contractors during Games time. The Event Services Staffing Cluster Manager will be responsible for planning, sourcing and scheduling all staff for a cluster of venues for Games-time operations.

A critical deliverable of this role is a clear, manageable staffing plan which meets the needs of each venue within an agreed budget. The role will work closely with Training, Workforce Planning, Accreditation, Uniforms, Volunteer Recruitment and Procurement to deliver staffing at the right time and place for each venue. At Games time this role migrates to an Event Services Staffing Manager with operational responsibility for a specific venue.

Key responsibilities/accountabilities:

• Work with the Event Services Venue Management team to identify specific roles by venue based on dot plans and licensing requirements. Determine a sourcing plan for each role either paid, contract or volunteer roles.
• Plan staff deployment process at each venue, working with Workforce Operations.
• Plan staff contingencies within and across venues; write staff contingency procedures for every venue, test process.
• In conjunction with Human Resources (HR) Operations and Workforce Operations, develop policies that relate specifically to Event Services workforce, ensuring alignment with existing HR policies and guidelines.
• Work with Spectator Services (SPS) Cluster Managers to plan detailed staff schedules by shift and by location and input to database.
• Deliver venue-specific resource plans by paid, volunteer and contract staff that meet budget constraints.
• Find staffing efficiencies across clusters.
• Develop role descriptions for each role.
• Roster all staff for the venue cluster.
• Send out rosters to volunteers.
• Check roster coverage.
• Compile all contingency plans by cluster and by venue, including the definition and resourcing of the Mobile Ops Support Team (MOST).
• Plan and execute procurement of contract staff for venue-specific needs.
• Manage contractor relationships to ensure timely recruitment of contractor workforce.
• Liaise with contractors re submission of accreditation details.
• Inspect training records of contract staff and ensure they fit with the strategy of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
• Participate in volunteer recruitment programme.
• Identify team leaders at selection events.
• Provides scheduling information and policy guidance to Volunteers Helpline team.
• Support Training Needs Assessment (TNA) at each venue and for each role.
• Contribute to venue-specific training content.
• Keep records of trained staff to demonstrate competency at every level.

Person specification

Key knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required:

• Proven expertise in setting up and managing complex (national or global) workforce operations programmes, preferably in a multi-sport Games environment.
• Good business sense and judgment.
• Substantial experience in leading large teams.
• Knowledge and experience in volunteer management highly desirable.
• Highly IT literate.
• Proven fact-based analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work closely with others internally at all levels of the organisation and externally in a highly collaborative and customer service-oriented manner.
• A degree-level education or equivalent professional qualification in a discipline relevant to the post.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage and deliver complex, high profile projects to time, quality and within budget.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills applied to a range of audiences and channels.
• Track record of delivering to tight timescales.
• Comfortable working across organisation boundaries.

Key competencies and behaviours:

• High energy and ability to deal with multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Highly flexible and able to adapt priorities as Games time approaches.
• Ability to distil information and recommend priorities.
• Strong instinct for service and motivation of people.
• Strong delivery orientation.
• Able to work at both strategic and tactical level.
• Understands and is committed to LOCOG’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy, aims and target zones (see below).

Job information

Title:

Event Services Staffing Cluster Manager

Location:

Canary Wharf - London

Type:

Permanent

Posted:

16/06/2010

Term of appointment:

The appointment will be made under the London 2012 Organising Committee's standard terms and conditions.
Prior to appointment the successful candidate is subject to a number of enquiries which will include a criminal record check and pre-employment screening. In the event of the successful candidate having a criminal record this would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Diversity and Inclusion:

The London 2012 Organising Committee is committed to creating 'everyone's 2012'. This means creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. View the LOCOG Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

To help us measure progress, please complete the Diversity and Inclusion Applicant form during the application process. The information is anonymous and separated from your application. It is strictly confidential and only used to provide an overall profile analysis of LOCOG.

LOCOG guaranteed interview scheme:

LOCOG is actively committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. To demonstrate this we use the Disability Symbol awarded by Jobcentreplus.

LOCOG guarantees to interview anyone with a disability, as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) whose application meets the LOCOG Person specification. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and adverse long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. View the LOCOG outreach programme for recruiting disabled people.

Closing date:

15/07/2010

Applicants who are successful to interview stage will be contacted within 21 days from the closing date.

Eligibility to work in the UK:

Legislation dictates that all employees must have the right to work in the UK. Please note therefore that all non-EU nationals must have an appropriate UK immigration permission before they can take up employment.

We are legally obliged to ask you to provide appropriate documents, such as your passport, visa or birth certificate in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

At LOCOG we never make the criminal record part of the application process criteria. Prior to appointment the successful candidate is subject to a number of enquiries which will include their criminal record. In the event of the successful candidate having a criminal record this would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to apply for this role.

London 2012 is a Games for everyone, so we want you to apply regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

Development Director – 1 year’s maternity cover from September 2010

£39,015 – £42,500

London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) is a charity that works across London. We provide organisations and networks of individuals with the motivation, knowledge, and connections they need to put sustainability into practice.

Problems like climate change, obesity and anti-social behaviour can’t be solved just by regulating or controlling individual behaviour. LSx is at the forefront of developing cutting edge behaviour change techniques for London’s culturally diverse, transient communities.

We are now looking for an outstanding professional with a strong grasp of sustainability and a proven track record in development/fundraising to join our senior management team for one year. The post holder will help us to realise the next stage of our strategy and to remain on a strong financial footing.

Building on our successful track record, you will lead on LSx’s new business development activities, designing new projects and activities and generating revenue to deliver them from private, public and charitable trust sources. A key aim is to diversify our current base of funding and generate unrestricted income from private sector sources, through sponsorship and corporate partnerships. The post-holder will conduct research and prepare proposals in response to commissioning opportunities, as well as developing fundraising applications to charitable trusts. 

You will have substantial experience of working at a senior level in fundraising or within business, ideally with strong links to the environment, social and/or economic sectors. You will have a proven ability to achieve six figure annual income targets, as well as deliver projects on time and budget. Excellent entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills, including tact and assertiveness, and the ability to communicate at all levels in a complex environment are also a must.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will work closely with the Chief Executive and Behaviour Change Programme Director.

The post is based in our office near London Bridge. LSx is under-represented in black and ethnic minorities staff. Candidates from these backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

To apply for this position, please send a completed LSx application form and equal opportunities form (attached) to Karimah Ashadu at k.ashadu@lsx.org.uk

Clck here fordownloads from website

Applicants should be entitled to work permanently in the UK. As a small voluntary organisation, London Sustainability Exchange is regretfully not able to assist with applications for work permits.

Please note a CRB Disclosure will be required for this post. This post is part funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the Greater London Authority, London Councils and Defra.

Deadline for applications: 9am, 26^th July 2010

Interviews: 30^th July 2010

2nd Interviews: 5th August 2010

Development Officer

• Employer: ENGLISH TOURING OPERA
• P
• Hours: Full Time
• Salary: £20,000 - £22,000

 

Coordinator - Headway East london

Co-ordinator

• Employer: HEADWAY EAST LONDON

Headway East London is a voluntary organisation which supports adults with acquired brain injury (ABI), their families and carers, in North & East London.

Based in Hackney, Headway East London runs a variety of support services including a Headway House - a day service providing support and a range of therapeutic rehabilitative activities.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone to work as part of a team of co-ordinators and therapists at the Headway House and in the Young People’s Network (16-30y/o) facilitating the activity and therapy programme for the members attending these services.

You will also be responsible for supporting members to enhance their life experiences and access community, vocational and educational activities.

Excellent organisational skills are essential for this role.

For an informal chat about the position call Anthony Bonfil, Director of Services on: 020 7749 7790

For an application pack and more information about Headway East London go to www.headwayeastlondon.org

Closing date: 26th July 2010

Interview date: Week commencing 3rd August 2010

Headway East London Ltd is an equal opportunity employer

Registered charity number 1083910. Affiliated to Headway – the brain injury association

Reporter/ Copy writer

• Employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY
• Posted: 08 Jul 2010
• Reference: CEX0013
• Hours: Full Time
• Salary: £32,532 - £35,055

Ethnicity & alcohol a review of UK Literature

• Ethnicity and alcohol: a review of the UK literature
  Literature review of evidence on drinking patterns among minority ethnic groups in the UK over the last 15 years and on service provision for this group.

Whats an acceptable standard of living in an age of austerity?

At a time of economic difficulties and cutbacks, many more people are concerned for their futures. The fact that the JRF website crashed (briefly) in the week we launched our updated Minimum Income Standard following 20,000-plus visits within hours, suggests the same.

People want to understand how public sector expenditure cuts and difficult financial times will affect themselves, their families, neighbours and communities. The Minimum Income Standard provides powerful evidence for the new Government to use about what ordinary people think is needed for an acceptable standard of living in our society.

We already know that people on low incomes – who can't opt out of state provision of services, whether education, health, transport or many other areas of life – will be harder hit when these public services are cut back.

We have considerable evidence (Monitoring poverty and social exclusion and Housing and neighbourhood monitor) and new research coming through to inform the decisions being made on policies by government, and others. We want these decisions to be informed by a debate that is bold and intelligent, realistic and compassionate. I am confident that JRF's evidence will help point to the fair and realistic goals for the long-term alleviation of poverty that this government is keen to deliver.

If economic trends continue to go against those already living close to the minimum income standard, decision-makers need to know how policy changes will impact on these people. Big rises in the prices of things like food and council tax mean many are already nearly £20 a week short of what they need to live a socially acceptable standard of living.

Our new Prime Minister has said that he wants to make sure the government looks after the worst-off in this country. We will continue to put forward evidence, ideas and solutions so that they can see the impact of the different options on the most vulnerable, and consider approaches that protect and deliver for disadvantaged people and places.

We will be providing regular updates here on emerging research and key facts relevant to the debate, together with some of the latest thinking on the challenges ahead.

Everyone knows that difficult decisions have to be made, but the poorest should not suffer disproportionately for the budget deficit.

And don't forget to look at our calculator – www.minimumincome.org.uk – to see whether your income meets the minimum income standard.

SOURCE JFK

1 page briefing on resolving disputes with partners

. 'Fighting the Good Fight: Effective Dispute Resolution Tactics' in pdf, 86KB.

(Source: Compact Voice)

uses of participatory mapping

Pathways through Participation has published 'Using participatory mapping to explore participation in three communities', which demonstrates the versatility of this research tool and its potential in a variety of scenarios. Download as pdf, 767KB.

Health Secretary annouces review into palliative care funding

• Last modified date: 9 July 2010

A new review into the funding of palliative care was announced today by the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, in a speech to the International Carers Conference in Leeds.

The review, chaired by Tom Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care, will look at how Government can make sure that the money intended to help look after people who are approaching the end of life is spent in the right way.

This will better enable patients to choose how and from whom they receive their end of life care.

The review will make recommendations for a funding system that will cover care provided by the NHS, a hospice or any appropriate provider:

• which encourages more community-based care, so a patient can remain in their own home; and
• that will be fair and transparent to all organisations involved in palliative care.

The review will cover both adults’ and children’s services and will report back by summer 2011.

Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley said:

'Having a terminal illness is a very distressing time for individuals and their families. People should be able to choose where they are cared for - most would choose to be cared for at home, surrounded by their friends and family – and be certain that the care they receive will be of the highest quality.

'This review will look at how we better deploy the money we spend on palliative care – so those in need are better supported. We intend that whatever care patients choose will meet their needs and wishes.'

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow, who yesterday visited St Ann's Hospice in
Heald Green, said:

'Everyone who is seriously or terminally ill should be properly supported. I have been to the St Ann's Hospice in Heald Green to see for myself the work that is going on and to meet families that use the services.

'The Government is committed to more personalised care for people at the end of life. Just last month we made this clear through confirming that £40 million will be invested to help hospices improve the environments where they provide care and support for patients, their families and carers.

'I am delighted that we are today taking the first step to honouring our commitment to introducing a new per-patient funding system for all hospices and providers of palliative care.'

Tom Hughes-Hallett said:

'I am delighted to have been asked to lead this important review. Good quality palliative and end of life care is so vital for patients and families. We need a funding system which is fair and encourages the provision of the right services to patients and families where and when they want them. It must also be fair to the full range of providers.'

Notes to Editors

Any recommendations will be considered in the context of the Spending Review.

Professor Sir Alan Craft has been asked to be part of the review to cover children's services.

As well as £40 million to help hospices improve the environments where they provide care and support for patients, their families and carers, £30 million has been made available for this year to help children's hospices, networks and other providers develop local children's palliative care projects.

About 500,000 people die each year in England.

At present, around 56.8% of deaths occur in hospital, around 19.5% at home, around 16.6% in care homes (which for many is their home) and around 5.2% in hospices.

Surveys of the public have shown that the first preference for most people (56-74%) would be able to die at home.