Welcome to issue 28 of the Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit's e-bulletin.
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Linda Hamilton
Unit Administrator
vswu.admin@ccpscotland.org
Content
The Workforce Unit's Funding Streams Guide has been updated with new information about changes to the ILA Scotland Fund. Announcements about this year's Voluntary Sector Development Fund are expected in June 2009.
Supporting Voluntary Action (SVA) is a programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund which aims to strengthen local support for the voluntary sector in Scotland.
As part of the programme a number of Think Tanks have been established. The Workforce Unit Director is a member of the Better Collaborations Think Tank, which is currently developing an action plan for promoting and enabling better collaboration between local and national infrastructure organisations. The Think Tank is hosting an Away Day on 27th May for anyone interested in discussing the future of third sector networks and support services.
The Workforce Unit is also working in partnership with the South East Learning Network and EVOC on the South East Scotland Workforce Development Project. This Change Champion project will provide specialist knowledge in workforce development to CVS staff across South East Scotland, and will support organisations to use the EVOC Care Training Needs Analyser. For more information contact Trisha Gow at EVOC on 0131 555 9100.
Workforce Development Network Events
Aberdeen, Thursday 21st May, 11-1pm
Edinburgh, Friday 22nd May, 10.30-12.30pm
These events will explore ways of supporting new members of staff to make the most of their existing skills, and to quickly gain the confidence required to work effectively in their new role.
More information is available from the Workforce Unit website. Or email Linda Hamilton to book your place.
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (PVG) introduces a new membership scheme for people who work with children and protected adults. This will replace current disclosure arrangements for people whose post requires an enhanced disclosure. The PVG scheme is expected to open in 2010. An information booklet is available to download.
The Scottish Government is hosting a series of events in June which will provide an update on the PVG scheme, the implementation activities and next steps. More information is available from the PVG website.
The Open University in Scotland is holding a number of open events for employers who are interested in sponsoring employees to gain a degree in social work, and for individuals who are considering applying for the social work degree course.
19th May, Edinburgh
20th May, Glasgow
21st May, Perth
For more information, and for times of sessions, please please contact Sally Grant at the Open University on
0131 2263 851.
The Social Enterprise Academy is offering free leadership training opportunities for those involved in Third Sector SMEs in Highlands and Islands.
There are two courses available:
The 20:Twenty Leadership Residential provides intensive and specialised input about your career and your leadership skills. [Deadline for applications 11th May]
The Inverness Leadership Programme is aimed at anyone in a position of responsibility who is looking to develop and strengthen their leadership skills. Contact handi@theacademy-ssea.org for more information.
The Scottish Government is holding a conference on 26th June to update on how health, care and social work services will be inspected from April 2011.
The event is aimed at equality groups and those who use services.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the Workforce Initiative has designed and developed a set of learning materials called "Tell Someone", which underpin the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.
A series of free Training the Trainers courses will be run throughout Scotland in June, August and September. Voluntary and private sector adult care organisations registered with the Care Commission are eligible to apply for places on the course.
More information, including dates, venues and an application form, is available here.
The Scottish Government has announced changes to the ILA Scotland Fund which will increase the number of people eligible to apply for funding.
From summer 2009:
Full details of the changes and the eligibility criteria for ILA funding can be found on the ILA Scotland website.
The Service Development workstream of Changing Lives has published a series of three papers looking at various aspects of commissioning and personalisation.
Personalisation: A Shared Understanding discusses what personalisaton actually is, and looks at what areas need to be aligned if there is to be real user engagement, flexibility and improved outcomes for people
Commissioning for Personalisation explores the role of commissioning in transforming services to meet future needs, and the opportunities and constraints in delivering personalised services.
A Personalised Commissioning Approach to Support and Care Services is a more detailed look at commissioning and the various issues which arise at an operational level and what might need to be addressed.
SCVO has launched a new Evidence Library which provides access to a wide range of research about the Third Sector in Scotland. The Evidence Library is also interactive and facilitates comment, discussion and the sharing of knowledge.
A research and development strategy for social services in Scotland is currently being developed. The aim of the strategy is to ensure that those working in the sector have access to sound research and strong evidence to support the design, development and delivery of social services in Scotland.
The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) is consulting with stakeholders across the sector about the best way forward for the strategy. IRISS invites you to complete a brief survey (less than 10 minutes) about your needs in relation to creating and using evidence in desicion making.
More information is available from the IRISS website, or go directly to the survey.
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