News

On this page you will find the latest edition of BAVO's Newsletter and up to date information on a range of issues that affect the voluntary sector and may be particularly relevant to your organisation.

Keep coming back to check for updates.

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Vetting & Barring Scheme Registration Halted

You may now be aware that the ISA registration stage of the Vetting and Barring Scheme has been halted to allow the Government to conduct a remodelling of the scheme back to proportionate, common sense levels. As a result the ISA registration phase of the scheme has been stopped and will not launch on 26 July 2010.

The Home Secretary Theresa May said that the safety of children and vulnerable adults is of 'paramount importance to the new government', but that a measured approach is vital. She continued, 'We've listened to the criticisms and will respond with a scheme that has been fundamentally remodelled. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. This redrawing of the VBS will ensure this happens'.

Existing arrangements under the Scheme which will continue include:

since January 2009, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been making independent barring decisions. It will continue to maintain two constantly updated lists, one for those barred from working with children, the other for those barred from working with vulnerable adults;
existing requirements concerning CRB checks will remain in place, and those entitled to such checks can continue to apply for them; and
employers are still legally obliged to refer information to the ISA if they have moved or removed an individual because they have harmed or there is a risk of harm to a member of a vulnerable group.

The scope of the remodelling process - to be co-ordinated by the Home Office in partnership with Department of Health and Department of Education - is currently being finalised. The two current consultations: Continuing Need for a Controlled Activity Category in the Vetting and Barring Scheme AND Statutory requirements and advice, for CRB disclosures for safeguarding purposes, on workers already registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority remain live with the closing date of 9th July: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/

It is not yet clear how the Government's remodelling of the Vetting and Barring Scheme will impact upon the future of ISA registration. Once more information about this is available we will communicate it to you.

The press release is available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Workshops on the Future of Cheques

Consumers and businesses are using fewer cheques.The number of cheques has been falling steadily since 1990. Volumes fell 12% in the last year alone. However, there are still plenty of situations in which cheques are used extensively – not least by charities, clubs and societies.

The Payments Council Board has set a target date of 31st October 2018 to close central cheque clearings in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The goal is to ensure that by 2018 there is no scenario where individuals or organisations still need to use a cheque. In 2016, a final decision will be taken as to whether that 2018 goal will be acheived.

A number of workshops have been arranged regarding this issue. Download the full information here.

BAVO's Community Transport Development Officer

BAVO's new Community Development Officer is now in post. Visit the Community Transport Forum page for more information.

BAVO Community Grant Scheme

BAVO is pleased to announce that we have been successful in securing further funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP) and Bridgend County Borough Council’s Special Regeneration Fund (SRF) for the BAVO Community Grant Scheme.

Despite the current economic climate, we are very pleased that WAG has enabled us to continue to offer this scheme. However, as this funding has been greatly reduced, it has been necessary to reconsider the criteria.

We will still be holding a grant panel at the end of May for all those applications received by the deadline of 14th May. However, after that date please note that there will be major changes to the scheme. For more information please visit the funding page on this website.

Valleys Forums launched !

Ogmore

A new Ogmore Valley Forum was agreed in a public meeting in March with its first Forum meeting scheduled for Monday April 26th at Ogmore Valley Life Centre.
At the next meeting, BCBC regeneration officers will present the Valleys Area Regeneration Plan (VARP)

Community groups and members in the Ogmore are welcome to attend, but please contact BAVO to book a place (and cuppa!) and to receive the agenda and minutes.. The Forum has a terms of reference and is Chaired by Louvain Lake. BAVO is temporarily providing the secretariat whilst the new forum beds down.

Llynfi

The Llynfi Valley Forum was recently re-launched and the BCBC regeneration and Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area plans are being discussed at those meetings, along with other plans for future investment and local employment initiatives. To receive information on the next meeting, please contact BAVO. The Llynfi Valley Forum is independently constituted and chaired by Mal Reeves. BAVO is providing temporary secretariat support.

Garw

The Garw Valley Forum also held a public meeting to increase membership and develop wider community interest in activities, opportunities and funding that will impact on the Valley.

With the kind support of Creation, Lets Garw, Communities First and BCBC, the meeting certainly attracted a number of new groups and people, and Western valleys and Rural Development Funding was discussed briefly as was the future of the forum. The forum is independently constituted and the Chair is Vikki Efford. BAVO is temporarliy providing the secretariat function to support the Forums work, so for further information on the next meeting, please contact BAVO.

Citizen Engagement

We would like to thank everyone who attended the above meetings in March and are keen to see the Forums develop the 'voice of the valley communities', linking their views into their locally elected councillors, police and other agencies as well as direct onto the local strategic partnerships & agenda's. Lets work together to make the most of the opportunities coming to your community !

Weblinks are under development:

www.ogmorevalleyforum.org.uk

www.llynfivalleyforum.org.uk

www.garwvalleyforum.org.uk

Patient Opinion in Wales

Patient Opinion is a not for profit social enterprise, which through its award winning website platform at www.patientopinion.org.uk is offering a new way for patients, service users, carers and relatives throughout Wales to feedback their experiences of care and treatment.

Patient Opinion is for all but particularly useful for people that are unable to feedback in other ways for example those in rural communities or isolated because of their situation, Patient Opinion offers a simple way to anonymously feedback experiences by going to the website, sending opinions through the post or telephoning 0845 1130012. Therefore a wider range of patient and user experience will all come together in an easily accessible place.

Download more information here and testimonials here.

Latest BAVO Newsletter

Download the latest edition of the BAVO Newsletter.

The next newsletter distribution is w/c 26th August 2010.

Ministerial Meetings

Click here to view details of recent ministerial meetings.

Future Jobs open for business

BAVO is pleased to announce that the Future Jobs Fund is now open for business.

Over 100 third sector organisations are part of WCVA’s collaborative bid and offering varied and rewarding jobs across a range of areas including environmental work, health and social care, childcare and youth and community work.

The jobs must be for a minimum 25hrs at minimum wage and the post must benefit local communities, run for 6 months and offer sustainability to the employee.

The funding will support the creation of new additional jobs for a maximum period of six months and all individual candidates will be referred via Job Centre Plus.

BAVO’s successful bid into the programme has allowed us to partner up with WCVA to help deliver the scheme across Wales. The scheme is available to provide new employment opportunities for 18-24 year olds and those who are Long Term Unemployed in unemployment hotspots.

BAVO has been allocated a limited amount of posts under this scheme, any organisations interested in finding out more, or interested in getting involved in please get in touch. You can e-mail bavo@bavo.org.uk or call us on 01656 810400

More information about the Future Jobs Fund can be found on the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) web pages: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/futurejobsfund/

Local students urge young people to ‘Choose Life’

Web pages designed to give information and support to young people who may have been affected by suicide or have considered self-harm have been launched in both English and Welsh.

The ‘Choose Life’ pages have been compiled by a small group of students from Bridgend County who have all lost people close to them as a result of suicide.

While suicide is an issue affecting every part of Wales, especially among young people, Bridgend County has been subjected to intense and intrusive media interest over the past 18 months.

The students said 'the web pages contain advice on where young people can get help, ‘myths and facts’ about suicide and personal statements about the effects of suicide on those left behind. ‘It’s a positive way of giving information to young people that’s easily accessible and it offers help to people who maybe going through difficult times."

The Local Service Board Chair said “Their pages contain excellent advice, as well as some very stark messages about suicide and are written in a way that we hope will appeal to young people, not just in this area but all over Wales and the UK. I hope the launch of these web pages will also send out a very positive message about the calibre and commitment of the young people of this area.”

The Bridgend Local Service Board aims to bring together local organisations and integrates services throughout Bridgend County Borough. It comprises the following organisations: Bridgend County Borough Council, Bridgend Local Health Board, Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations, South Wales Police, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, Environment Agency Wales, Bridgend College and Business in Focus.

National and Local Support Groups / Helpline Information

Download a helpline information sheet with a range of local and national support organisation . If you need any other specialist help, please get in touch with BAVO and we will be happy to signpost you.

Housing Debt Helpline Launch

The Wales Co-operative Centre and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service are launching a new housing debt helpline to support people vulnerable to losing their homes. Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the ‘Housing Debt Helpline Wales’ offers support to home owners and those in rented property who are finding it difficult to meet their mortgage or rental payments.

Visit the website.

Latest WCVA National Supplement

Download the latest national supplement from WCVA or download the Welsh version.

'Support When You Need It'

As part of the Welsh Assembly Government's response to help people, businesses and communities through the current global recession, they have recently luanched a new section to their website entitled 'Leading Wales out of the recession'. To view visit www.wales.gov.uk.

In addition they have produced a leaflet 'Support When You Need It' which has been developed as a one-stop-shop for advice on where to get support for individuals affected by the economic downturn.

Download the leaflet.

All Wales Child Protection Procedures

The new All Wales Child Protection Procedures are now available, hopefully hard copies will be available from BAVO soon. To download a copy visit resources and downloads page.

New Plain Language Constitution for Community Groups

A new plain language constitution has been produced by the Welsh Office of the Charity Commission in partnership with WCVA, BAVO and other other Welsh CVC's. It is designed to meet the needs of small groups who are looking to formally establish themselves with the minimum of fuss. It is based on the participants' combined experience of community development and charity law, together with many years of working with governing documents and community groups. The constitution is only 600 words long and covers all the requirements needed for a well run group. It has been designed primarily for groups with an income of less than £5000 a year (below the charity registration threshold), which don't need to be incorporated.

Download the model constitution.

New Service Offered to BAVO Members

A group's most important document is its constitution but with so many small organisations not having an office base, keeping this document safe, when committee members or Trustees come and go, can be a big problem.

BAVO is now offering a new free service to members - we can safeguard your original, signed and dated constitution, keeping it on file in BAVO's main office. We can also provide a scanned electronic copy for you so that you have a convenient copy when required. Members can either bring a disc in, or we can provide one at cost, either way you can feel confident the original is being kept safe.

If you would like to discuss this service further, please contact Pat Lindsay, Information Officer on 01656 810400.

On Line Forum

New Networking Opportunity - After having spoken with many of you about using different methods to engage you in debate, we have decided to add a 'Forum' section to the website. Have a look at the top menu bar to find your way to our forum.

Here you can start a debate, or ask for advice or indeed share good practice amongst yourselves, the Forum space is interactive allowing you to talk to a range of people. Registering is quick and easy, have a look and let us know what you think.

Voluntary Sector Partnership Council

In pursuit of its intention to work effectively with the voluntary sector, as laid down in Chapter 3 of the Voluntary Sector Scheme, the Assembly has established a Voluntary Sector Partnership Council. For general information on the VSPC visit the WAG website.

What is a Voluntary Sector partnership?

A partnership means that the voluntary sector:

has an equal say with the Assembly about the arrangements by which the Assembly and the voluntary sector will work together
will contribute at a formative stage in informing the development of policy and programmes across the Assembly and has its proposals assessed against the same criteria as the public sector
contributes its views on the procedures for the administration of resources and priorities for the distribution of resources for the voluntary sector
has access to its own information, training, and capacity building services and resources
has opportunities to lead in those areas where it is best placed to do so

This Council consists of eleven Assembly Members and twenty-four representatives appointed from the voluntary sector.

A review of the Scheme has recently been completed and an Action Plan developed - see below.

Voluntary Sector Partnership Council - Review of the Voluntary Sector Scheme - WAG Response to Commissions recommendations (pdf 116K)

Voluntary Sector Partnership Council - Proposals for a Strategic Action Plan (pdf 86K)

You can view other Voluntary Sector documents on the Welsh Assembly Government website.