Learning SET

Please check this page regularly to keep up to date with Learning SET news plus relevant local, regional and national news. Also make sure you check the documents page and the new Skills for Life page for updates.

54) Members reminded of campaigning help (posted 21 May 09)

Members are reminded that help to achieve change is available from the Third Sector National Learning Alliance (TSNLA) .

The TSNLA was set up to be a strong independent voice for Third Sector providers of learning and skills.

Hosted by NIACE, it is intended to be a source of Third sector ideas and evidence as well as a national communication network and a forum for articulating Third sector provicers' views across government.

For further information vist the website at www.tsnla.org.uk or email tsnla@niace.org.uk.

53) £1M available for early applicants to Informal Learning Transformation Fund (posted 21 May 09)

Skills Secretary John Denham is inviting organisations to bid for a share of £20 million in Government cash to open up and promote informal learning for adults and young people to make this a ‘summer of learning'.

Organisations can bid for a share of £20 million in Government cash from today to open up and promote informal learning for adults and young people across the country.

In a speech to NIACE’s Annual Policy Conference, Skills Secretary John Denham kicked off the bidding process, publishing a prospectus designed to show how a wide range of groups and partnerships of all sizes can win funding. The deadline for bids is July 12 this year but an “early bird” funding pot of £1 million is available for ideas submitted by June 12.

For further information, follow this link.

52) Essex County Council announces £2M endowment fund for voluntary sector (posted 14 May 09)

Essex has become the first area to set up an endowment fund with cash received from a government performance reward grant.  Up to £2M will be fed back into the local community as confirmation of the hard work of the local voluntary sector and its “profound effect on the area”.

As agreed at Essex Partnership in March 2009, Essex has become the first area to set up an endowment fund with cash received from a government performance reward grant.  The bonus payment was made in recognition of Essex’s success in reaching local area agreement targets.

The fund has been recognised nationally, featuring recently on the Cabinet Office website. It is anticipated that the fund, which will be worth roughly £2 million, will open for applications in the autumn and will award £100,000 to local charities and voluntary groups in its first year of operation.  The Essex Community Foundation will manage the fund.

51) NHS SW Essex launches Mental Health Employment Specialist tender (posted 14 May 09)

NHS SW Essex has launched an opportunity to tender for Mental Health Employment Specialist provision in SW Essex . Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 1 June 2009.

NHS SW Essex is tendering its mental health employment specialist service. Follow this link  for further details and instructions on how to express an interest:

If your organisation is interested in being part of a Learning SET consortium bid, please contact Linda Riley at Voluntary Sector Training. Adrian Faiers, who co-ordinates Learning SET activities on a freelance basis,  is unable to be involved in any way with any Learning SET interest in this tender opportunity as, wearing another hat, he is responsible commissioning this service on behalf of NHS SW Essex.

50) COVER announces Train to Gain L&M  information and application workshop  (posted 14 May 09)

COVER is running a Train to Gain Leadership and Management information and application workshop their offices in Little Chesterford on 9th June 2009, 2 – 4.30 pm.

COVER is reminding people that the Train to Gain Leadership and Management offer can provide up to £1000 of funding for eligible organisations to spend on leadership and management activity (which doesn’t need to be accredited learning) for the CEO/Director, any senior manager or members of the Governance team. See item 38 below, bullet point 3, and follow this link for the latest flyer.  

Said Nikki Bennett at COVER, 'If you have yet to take up your Leadership and Management allocation, or have been thinking about getting round to doing it, then you may be interested in a Train to Gain Leadership and Management  information and application workshop being held at COVER on 9th June 2009, 2 – 4.30 pm.'

'This 2 and 1/2 hour session will take you through the needs analysis and application process.  It will help you to identify your organisation’s leadership training needs, match a suitable learning opportunity and apply for the grant.  If you are eligible you will be told there and then.  All that leaves you to do is find the provider for your learning activity and claim the grant.'

Places on this workshop are limited to 15 so email Janice Mossey  at COVER as soon as possible if you wish to secure your place.

49) NIACE seeks examples of best practice (posted 14 May 09)

On behalf of an NHS trust setting up a work experience project for 14-19 year olds and service users, NIACE is looking for best prectice case studies of colleges participating in work placements.

I you are able to help, please email Susan Rees at niace

48) LSC publishes second Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Policy Update (posted 14 May 09)

The second QCF Policy Update was published on 1st May; it covers progress towards the wider QCF implementation across publicly funded learning and skills provision in England.

The second QCF Policy Update provides an update on what changes will be made to planning, funding and performance arrangements for 2009/10. It also recaps on the direction of travel for 2010/11. In addition, this document starts to set out where changes will occur in LSC programme delivery as a result of the implementation of QCF and the timescales for these changes.

Click on this link to access the document.

47) Cambridge CVS opens money management course to wider audience (posted 14 May 09)

Cambridge CVS are widening access to a money management course which starts with an introductory or taster day on June 19th (which can be taken alone) and has 3 more days in July for those who want to explore money management in more depth and do work on their own organisation's money management.

Ruth McCallum, Operations Manager for Cambridge CVS, has circulated details of a money management courese which she is opening up to out of area voluntary sector organisations.

'I've got into the habit of circulating our training opportunities to other groups if we think we will have spare places on any of them,' said Ruth. 'I think this may be the case for the new Money Management Course which Anglia Ruskin University will be putting on for us in June and July.'

 The CVS is able to offer the first day free to our members and suggests Train To Gain for additional funding.

'Managers, trustees or senior staff can therefore learn useful material and come away with an accredited certificate at no cost to them or their organisation,' she said.

Follow this link to access the flyer and details of how to register.

46) Presentation on numeracy and literacy Seedbed CPD materials is set for mid May (posted 20 Apr 09)

A presentation on a free CPD resource, which helps to embed literacy and numeracy into initial engagement programmes for new adult learners, will be held on 19th May.

The free presentaion event is being staged at COVER in Little Chesterford to give information on the free Seedbed CPD resource. The Seedbed materials aim to:

• increase awareness among teachers working with new adult learners of the importance of literacy, language and numeracy skills to successful learning on their courses;
• increase skills among these teachers, to support their learners to develop appropriate literacy and numeracy skills to enhance their achievement;
• increase capacity within organisations to effectively embed literacy and numeracy in their learning programmes.

For further information follow this link .

45) LSC publishes preview of next procurement round (posted 23 Mar 09)

The  LSC (East of England) has published a Procurement and Contracts Team Bulletin, which includes essential information about the next procurement round.

The LSC has published The Learning and Skills Council (East of England) Procurement and Contracts Team Bulletin. The aim of the Bulletin is to ensure that Providers are fully up to speed with all of the policy, system and implementation issues across the LSC procurement business cycle. The Bulletin will contain the essential information that Providers need to be aware of at each critical point of the year and the first edition contains essential information about the next procurement round.

A copy of the newsletter can be accessed by clicking on this link.

To receive future copies  you will need to sign up by emailing QPF-Procurement-EOE.

44) LSC re-opens QPF, but you need to act quickly (posted 23 Mar 09)

The LSC has re-opened the QPF (Qualified Provider Framework) tendering portal, but if you want to become a qualified provider, you need to act quickly - the next freeze date' is 5pm on Thursday 9 April .

NOW PAST SELL BY DATE, BUT DETAIL LEFT ON SITE TO  INDICATE  FUTURE PROCESS. (See also item 26 below.)

The LSC has now re-launched its Qualified Provider Framework (QPF) on its e-Tendering portal. They say:

If you have already been contacted by the LSC to indicate that you have successfully qualified on the QPF you do not need to take action.  Providers who have already applied and been advised that they are successful do not need to take any action until either the annual anniversary of their application or new information is available in respect of their Financial Accounts, OfSted grades or any significant changes to their Business Standing.

Existing providers who have no interest in receiving invitations to tender for new programmes do not need to take action. The LSC will continue to negotiate existing contracted programmes with these providers.

If you have submitted responses to the QPF between the dates of 11th December 2008 and 6th March 2009 and are still awaiting the outcome of evaluation, you need to do nothing as details of whether you are successful or not will be issued in due course and those who are successful will be invited to tender.

Providers who would like to be invited to the next round of tenders to be issued by the LSC and who have not already qualified on the QPF or are awaiting the outcome of a previous submission must submit their completed ‘Complete Me First’ and ‘Type 2 Prequalification’ questionnaires by the next ‘Freeze Date’. These applications will then be evaluated and successful providers invited to tender. 

If you have already sent a message via one of the LSC E-Tendering message boards relating to whether you need to complete the re-launched QPF or not , please note that this email message will act as a response to it and we therefore will not be sending a separate reply

You should also note that the next ‘Freeze Date’ of the QPF is 5pm on Thursday 9th April 2009.  At this time the LSC will temporarily freeze the QPF to new applicants.

43) COVER and WEA announce two CTLLS courses for VCS tutor training PLUS bursaries (posted 23 Mar 09)

WEA, on behalf of COVER, will be delivering a CTLLS qualification that has been contextualised for VCS and adult and community learning teaching practitioners. The certificate is the next stage after PTLLS and thirty six bursaries will be offered across the region for places on two courses beginning in late April 2009..

As part of the Regional Voluntary Sector Capacity Building Project, funds are being made available to assist individuals, working as teacher, tutor or trainer practitioners in the Voluntary and Community Sector, to undertake the new “Certificate in Teaching in the Life Long Learning Sector” (CTLLS) qualification.

COVER, with funding from the Learning and Skills Council, Eastern Region, are offering financial support towards the full cost of the CTLLS qualification.  Thirty six bursaries will be offered across the region for places on two courses being delivered by WEA beginning in late April 2009.

For further information follow the links below:

• Course flyer 
• Course application form 
• Bursary information
• Bursary Eligibility
• Bursary application form

42) NIACE publishes 3 new leaflets for learners with mental health problems (posted 26 Feb 09)

NIACE have produced three new electronic leaflets to give support and advice to people experiencing mental health difficulties who are in learning or thinking of taking up learning.

The three leaflets are:

• You Can Do It - Designed to encourage people experiencing mental health difficulties to think about the benefits of taking up learning
• Should I Say? A short guide to help learners think about whether or not to disclose their mental health difficulty to their learning provider
• Should I Say? A more detailed guide for people who want to think in more detail about disclosure.

NIACE suggests the following ideas for using the leaflets:

• Print copies of these leaflets and display them in waiting areas, lounges, common areas, and staff rooms
• Use as part of any mental health awareness campaign
• Use at open days and enrolment events
• Place the pdfs on your website or intranet, especially on any areas relating to mental health or student support (now there's an idea)
• Include them in induction packs

NIACE are keen to get any feedback on the leaflets (including how you have used them), and also ideas for future leaflets in this series. Please send any feedback or ideas to caroline.law@niace.org.uk, Tel: 0116 2044249.

The leaflets can also be downloaded at: www.niace.org.uk/mentalhealth/downloads.htm

41) Adult Learners' Week launches photographic competition (posted 26 Feb 09)

Adult Learners' Week has launched a photographic competition for learners in the East of England. The main prize will be to the value of £200.

ALW Eastern Regional Coordinator, Roy Brown, has anmnounced an Adult Learners' Week photographic competetion for learners  in the Eastern Region. Adult Learners' Week runs from 9 - 15 May and the closing date for the competition is 10 April.

'The winners will be presented at the ALW Awards Ceremony on 12th May and I hope to exhibit the pictures at a range of venues around the E of E following that,' said Roy.

A flyer with more details and an entry form can be downloaded by following this link .

40) CareerTrain publish IAG toolkit  (posted 26 Feb 09)

The Peterborough based training organisation, CareerTrain, has produced a toolkit for anyone who provides information, advice and guidance as part of their work .

'We wrote The One To One Toolkit to meet the needs of our own  trainee advisers, and we are receiving excellent feedback, particularly as there does not seem to be another affordable book that explains IAG processes in a non academic style,' said joint author, Julie Cooper. 'The content is also very relevant to learning mentors, skills coaches, and advisers that work in a range of settings.'

The book is written in  three sections:

• Part One takes you, step by step, through a tried and trusted model for giving advice, including highlighting dangers and difficulties in a  “how to” manner.
• Part Two provides a more in depth model, focusing on guidance, in a similar style, explaining how to help your client in a professional, empathic manner when their needs are more complex.
• Part Three is The Toolkit – a collection of bite sized theories, tips, exercises and strategies that can be used with clients in a one to one setting. Even if you have a wealth of experience, you will find fresh approaches, and be reminded of tried and trusted ones, here.
  

An oline review can be found at www.cpdzone.biz/books/TheOneToOneToolkit.pdf.

The book can be purchased for £14.99 by following this link.

39) WEA to provide SfL awareness training for VCS managers (posted 4 Feb 09)

The WEA is to provide training on Skills for Life awareness training for voluntary sector managers.

The WEA is providing a half day course on Skills for Life awareness  for voluntary sector managers in Essex. It will take place on Wednesday 4 March 2009, 10.30am-1.00pm at the COVER offices in Little Chesterford. This follows on from the successful event staged at the LSC in Chelmsford last November (see item 24).

The 2½ hour session will look at:

• The background to Skills for Life
• The Government agenda and how it can benefit your organisation
• The benefits of partnership working
• The Whole Organisation Approach – benefits and pitfalls

For more information and a booking form, follow this link.

38) Three Train to Gain leaflets are available for Third Sector (posted 3 Feb 09)

NIACE has issued a reminder that there are three leaflets available on Train to Gain specifically aimed at the Third Sector.

NIACE has issued a reminder that the LSC has produced three leaflets for the Third Sector on Train to Gain.  Please click on the links for more information:

• 'Train to Gain and the third sector: Opportunities for the third sector to access support for training and developing paid staff and volunteers': Click on this link.
• 'Tailormade training for the third sector': Click on this link.
• 'Leadership and Management within Train to Gain': Click on this link.

See also item 31 below plus  item 15 below and item 3 on the Documents page.

37) NIACE seeks feedback on peer coaching scheme by 9 Feb (posted 3 Feb 09)

NIACE is currently conducting an evaluation of the peer coaching programme, including its marketing, and they are asking for your help  even if you haven't heard of the programme.

In 2008 NIACE was funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to support Third Sector providers of learning and skills, and Third Sector organisations thinking about becoming providers, through the peer coaching programme. 

NIACE is currently conducting an evaluation of the programme, including its marketing, and they would appreciate your help!  Even if you have not heard of the programme they want to hear from you.  Please click on the link below to access the marketing survey, it will take 5 minutes (max) to complete. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7RpmUUGN_2f6SFY5GNUnpyRQ_3d_3d

See also item 4 below.

36) Learning SET webmaster gains five star rating

(posted 1 Feb 09)

Learning SET webmaster, Adrian Faiers, has gained a five star rating for his free to use, online A Level Chemistry text, Chemistry in Perspective ( www.chembook.co.uk). The rating was awarded by schoolzone, the UK's largest independent education web site, with over 25,000 hits a day.

‘I’m very excited about this recognition,’ said Adrian. ‘I wrote the book several years ago for a publisher that went out of business before the book saw the light of day. I’m pleased I’ve been able to put it on the web, because it was written particularly to help students who find the subject tricky by tackling myths and misunderstandings head on.’

The local launch of the site took place in May 2007, but the day Adrian received news of the elevation from 'highly recommended' to the five star rating, he also received an email from a student in India, thanking him for the site.

 ‘Thanks to you for your really nice and simple website that makes straightening out my conceptions or rather misconceptions in chemistry a lot easier,' the email said.

‘It would be nice to think that a few local students are finding it helpful, too,’ said Adrian.

35) ESF Entry to Employment ITT issued

(posted 1 Feb 09)

The Learning and Skills Council has issued its invitation to tender for the European Social Fund, East of England, Entry to Employment contract. Follow this link to read the specification and email Learning SET at the latest by close of play on Wednesday 4 February if you are interested in being part of a bid: admin@learningset.org.uk . Please also let us know if you have passed the LSC's Qualified Provider framework (*QPF) process and if you would consider being a lead partner (*see item 26).

The LSC has issued its ITT for the ESF East of England E2E contract. Quoting from the tender documents, 'E2E is designed to enable young people who are currently not ready to progress to learning at Level 2, Apprenticeship or to employment to develop their motivation and confidence, personal effectiveness, basic and/or key skills and acquire vocational knowledge, skills and understanding through sampling a range of work and learning contexts.'

Members of Learning SET are invited to email Learning SET at the latest by close of play on Wednesday 4 February if they would like to be part of a bid.

'There are several options for tendering,' said Learning SET co-ordinator, Adrian Faiers. 'One option is to put in a bid led by an Essex organisation which has LSC qualified provider status. Another is to join the bid being co-ordinated by the Suffolk Learning Consortium. We are also open to any other suggestions.'

The email address, again, for expressions of interest by Wed 4 Feb is: admin@learningset.org.uk

34) NIACE stages event to explore relevance of SfL to new government initiatives 

(posted 1 Feb 09)

NIACE is staging an event in Cambridge on 13 March to explore the links between Skills for Life and  the introduction of the Foundation Learning Tier and of Functional Skills.

niace is staging an even in Cambridge on 13 March focussing on the implications for Skills for Life of the introduction of the Foundation Learning Tier and of Functional Skills.  niace states that both of these initiatives are works in progress which will have considerable significance for all learning providers working with learners below level 2.

The event will take place at the Conference Hall, Cambridge Professional Development Centre, Foster Road, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 9NL, with coffee served at 9.30am for a 10.00am start.

Further information and a booking form can be downloaded by following this link .

33) Cabinet Office issues guide to consortium working

(posted 1 Feb 09)

The Cabinet Office of the Third sector has issued a new guide to working in a consortium aimed at Third Sector organisations involved in public service delivery.

The Cabinet Office guide was published at the end of last year and can be downloaded in pdf format by following this link . Further information on gaining public service contracts can be obtained via the ncvo Public Service Delivery Network. More information is available by emailing psdnetwork@ncvo-vol.org.uk .

32) WEA launches February PTLLS course in Colchester (posted 19 Jan 09)

The WEA is staging a level 3  PTLLS course in Colchester, starting in February. For further details please follow this link.

31) Train to Gain increases flexibility (posted 14 Jan 09)

For those not aware, there are increased flexibilities in the Train to Gain programme, published on 9 December 2008, which may make it more attractive to Third Sector organisations. Please follow this link for more information on the LSC website. See also item 15 below and item 3 on the Documents page.

30) Government consults on Third Sector qualifications strategy (posted 12 Jan 09)

The UK Workforce Hub has been commissioned by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to develop a Sector Qualification Strategy for the Third Sector. A draft strategy has been published for consultation: http://www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/.

The closing date is 27 February.

29) Government plans Third Sector skills body

(posted 6 Nov 08)

The Government has announced plans to launch a Third Sector skills body which will identify and address skills gaps and shortages for charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and other third sector organisations.

The body will pull together the work of the sector skills councils to open up learning opportunities for third sector paid and voluntary staff. It will ensure the sector's needs are properly considered in the design development of National Occupational Standards, the design Apprenticeship Frameworks and Sector Qualification Strategies.

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) in the Cabinet Office and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will jointly fund the new skills body with £2.5 million over the next three years. It will be independent and directed by a board representing the sector's employers.  To help the new body become established, Skills for Justice will act as an incubator.
.

28) NIACE stages events to launch CPD 'seedbed' materials (posted 6 Nov 08)

NIACE has put together a range of CPD 'seedbed' materials to help organisations embed literacy and numeracy into initial engagement programmes for new adult learners and it is staging regional events to launch the materials .

NIACE is launching Seedbed Materials which aim to:

• Increase awareness among teachers working in "engagement" and First Steps programmes of the importance of literacy, language and numeracy skills to successful learning on their courses.
  
• Increase skills among these teachers, to support their learners to develop appropriate literacy and numeracy skills to enhance their achievement.
• Increase teachers’ ability to signpost learners to appropriate progression routes in literacy and numeracy when they complete their initial engagement programmes
• Increase capacity within organisations to effectively integrate the literacy and numeracy strands of Progression Pathways as the Foundation Learning Tier is implemented.

The CD based materials will provide evidence for teachers' CPD records with the Institute for Learning and will be launched in the East of England the materials at the Regional Achievement Dialogue event (see item 17 below).

An alternative launch session is available in London on Monday 8 December (Email Sadia Samed at NIACE for more details of the London event.) 

27) acer offers kinaesthetic resources session

(posted 6 Nov 08)

acer is offering a kinaesthetic resources session at ARU on 28 November to help support learners using a variety of 'resourceful resources'.

acer is offering a kinaesthetic resources session at ARU on Friday 28 November which aims to help learning providers:

• To consider the importance of active & engaged learning
• To consider using kinaesthetic resources in sessions for literacy, numeracy, ICT and ESOL
• To become familiar with a variety of visual strategies
• To explore a range of techniques and consider repurposing them for your own sessions
• To become familiar with the latest free resources available
  

Click on these links for more information and for a programme for the day

26) LSC launches 'QPF' 09 commissioning process

(posted 3 Nov 08)

As heralded by Learning SET under item 25 below, from 31 October 2008, the LSC has opened a Qualified Provider Framework (QPF) for providers of education and training services.

The Qualified Provider Framework is a maintained list of all providers from which the LSC will secure education and training services. This list will incorporate those providers with whom the LSC will negotiate and/or invite to tender.

The Qualified Provider Framework will streamline the way the LSC commissions and contracts for provision and will remove barriers for new providers wishing to work with the LSC. Providers that wish to be eligible to receive invitations to tender can apply to be pre-qualified at any time during the year. This ‘always open’ approach will allow providers to apply at a time convenient to them and which suits their business need.

When the LSC identifies a need to tender for provision, it will temporarily freeze the list to new applicants in order for the tendering process to begin. The dates that the list will be frozen will be published well in advance; ensuring providers have sufficient opportunity to apply to pre-qualify.

To find out more, follow this link.

25) Consortium publishes advance information on LSC 09 commissioning process

(posted 24 Oct 08)

There are important and encouraging changes coming to the way in which the LSC will commission services in 2009. Tim Ward from the Wiltshire learning consortium, Learning Curve, has published his personal assessment.

To read the document, follow this link.

24) WEA to provide SfL awareness training

(posted 23 Oct 08)

The WEA is to provide training on Skills for Life awareness for key members of the voluntary sector.

The WEA is providing a half day course on Skills for Life awareness  for key staff in the voluntary sector in Essex. It will take place on Wednesday 12 November 2008, 10am-12.30pm at Redwing House (LSC) in Chelmsford.

The session will:

• be a whistle-stop tour around Skills for Life
• look at what is in it for you and your organisation
• explain the Government’s agenda
• show you that you are not alone - looking at partnership working
• outline a whole organisation approach – benefits and pitfalls
  

For more information and a booking form, follow this link.

23) Learning SET hosts Skills for Life web page

(posted 15 Oct 08)

Skills for Life development worker, Jan Russell, (see item 12 below) has launched a new web page and Learning SET is pleased to be the host.

Learning SET is pleased to announce that it hosting the new web page created by Skills for Life development worker, Jan Russell. To access the page just follow the SKILLS FOR LIFE  link on the (grey/black) menu bar above.

The page is full of useful information and Jan will be updating it on a regular basis. Content as at today's date includes:

• What is Skills for Life (SfL)?
• Is SfL still important?
• Funding for SfL and for staff training
• Teaching toolbox

22) ExDRA may need provider partners for 'Improving Capabilities' programme (posted 15 Oct 08)

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has awarded the 'Improving Capabilities - Beyond 2010' contract to  a consortium led by the Essex Development and Regeneration Agency (ExDRA) - and they may need Learning SET members.

The 'Improving Capabilities - Beyond 2010' contract, recently awarded to a consortium headed by ExDRA, may be an opportunity for Learning SET members. The project has a value of approx. £6.2million and, over the next two-and-a-half years, it will provide workforce development and, in particular, it will support people facing redundancy to move efficiently into new jobs. First point of call for potential provider partners is EEDA:

EEDA says, 'Please do not hesitate to contact us at cofinancingenquiries@eeda.org.uk should you have any queries relating to the programme.'

21) NIMHE offers training to VCS on new Mental Health Act impact (posted 15 Oct 08)

NIMHE is running a series of one day training workshops focusing on the changes introduced by the Mental Health Act 2007. These events are specifically aimed at voluntary sector staff, service users and carers to provide them with knowledge and information about the changes to the Mental Health Act.

NIMHE (The Department of Health's National Institute for Mental Health in England) is running a series of workshops on the new Mental Health Act; it will aim to provide a basic understanding of the main changes to the Act, including:

• The five Guiding Principles
• Approproate treatment provision
• Supervised Community Treatment
• The Nearest Relative
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Workshops will run from 9.30 to 3.30 in London on 11 November and in Cambridge on 18 November (lunch is provided).

To find out more contact Kevin Whiteley at CSIP (The Care Services Improvement Partnership):  kevin.whiteley@csip.org.uk.

20) Essex County Council launches VCS grants round

(posted 15 Oct 08)

Essex County Council is inviting applications from Third Sector (voluntary and community) organisations for projects and schemes designed to support adults and carers (age 18 and over) living in Essex. Applications for grants up to £30,000 per locality must be received by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 10 December.

Essex County Council has launched this year's round of health and community wellbeing grants for the Third Sector. Organisations are invited to apply for funding for up to three projects with a maximum value of £30,000 per locality.  Applications, which must be submitted electronically, need to be received by 1200 hrs on Wednesday 10 December 2008.

For further information, potential applicants are invited to:

• visit the Essex County Council website: www.essex.bravosolution.com (View current opportunities.)
• or telephone Jacquie Hills on 01245 434886 or Michael Porter on 01245 431254
• or email: CVandCGrants@essexcc.gov.uk

19) Adult Learners' Week roadshow to visit Thurrock

(posted 15 Oct 08)

The Adult learners' Week regional roadshow will visit Thurrock on Wednesday 26 November. The roadshow will be promoting the 2009 Adult Learners' Week taking place between 9 and 15 May. And with only 50 places per half day road show event, it will be important to book early .

Between October and December this year, NIACE is staging 13 regional roadshows to promote the 2009 Adult Learners' Week. The aim of the roadshows is to:

• Clarify what Adult Learners’ Week can do for your organisation.
• Explore what information and promotional material is available to you to support the success of any event, and who in your region can offer you more information.
• Help you create time to have a greater input into next year’s campaign.
• Demonstrate how to make the media work for you.
• Provide tips on where and how to secure sponsorship and funding to support your activities.
• Provide a forum to network with delegates across all sectors in your region.

Book now by following  this link .

18) NIACE launches online staff development courses

(posted 15 Oct 08)

NIACE has launched a new round of online staff development opportunities, including the brand new blended course, Exploring Successful Learning Online. NIACE has successfully run online staff development training since 2006.

NIACE has announced two online courses aimed at enabling participants to experience online learning and to provide them with the knowledge and skills to develop online learning within their own organisations.  Both courses are NOCN accredited.

Exploring Successful Learning Online is a new 6 week blended course aimed at those wishing to experience online learning and explore its potential for incorporation into their own delivery. The course starts on Wednesday 5 November.

Application of Online Learning is a 12 week online course for those wishing to use online learning and methods with their learners and in their learning provision. The course has been structured using optional modules to allow for the needs of people employed in the education sector whether managers, teachers, facilitators, or support staff. This course starts on Monday 3 November.

Quotes from previous learners:

• The content of the course is very interesting and useful. I enjoyed the feeling that each module was introducing an entirely new area I had never explored before.
• I enjoyed communicating with colleagues through forums and chats. Before the course, it hadn't dawned on me that you could do collaborative work online!
• The course content was very wide ranging and there was also a wide variety of assessment activities - so felt that my personal learning objectives were not only met but surpassed!

For information on start dates or to register your interest for this or any of the other online delivery courses that NIACE offers, email: Kajal Samat 

For further information on course content, email: Sue Charlish

To receive more information or to enrol on the latest round of the online courses, visit the NIACE website at: http://www.niace.org.uk/AOL or http://www.niace.org.uk/ESLON

17) NIACE to stage regional SfL-VCS achievement event

(posted 15 Oct 08)

NIACE is staging an SfL-VCS achievement event on Thursday 4 December in Cambridge.

NIACE is staging the eighth in a series of FREE Skills for Life Regional Achievement Dialogues (RADs). The events are supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) in each of the English Regions.  Each event focuses on a key issue identified by stakeholders within the region.

The RADs provide opportunities to hear from regional policy makers, providers, practitioners and employers about strategic updates, developmental issues and improvements in quality and achievement in language, literacy and numeracy. They also provide a platform for discussion and debate to inform and enhance practice, contribute to thinking about national policy and help shape strategic development at national and regional level.

To find out more and download a booking form, follow this link .

16) NLDC funding application timescales will be short 

(posted 4 Aug 08)

Learning SET has been informed that there will be Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities funding for 2008-09, but timescales for funding applications will be short.

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For further information, email Chris Dugmore at Adult Community Learning: cdugmore@essexcc.gov.uk.

15) LSC updates guidance on T2G flexibilities

(posted 4 Aug 08)

The LSC has posted an amended version of the guidance on Train to Gain flexibilities.

To download the letter explaining the flexibilities, follow this link.

14) Essex Community Fund to provide grassroots funding

(posted 4 Aug 08)

Essex Community Foundation has won the contract to distribute the Grassroots Grants fund in Essex. The Grassroots Grants fund is the government scheme established to provide local community groups with access to small grants.

The Government's Office of the Third Sector has committed £130 million to support thousands of voluntary and community groups throughout England. Essex Community Foundation has won the Government bid to manage the Grassroots Grants and Endowment Challenge in Essex, Southend and Thurrock. There are two elements, adding up to a £7 million programme to benefit local people:

• A £2 million grants programme to be delivered over the next three years
• A £5 million endowment fund is the target with £1.6 million on offer from the Government if Essex Community Foundation can raise a further £3.3 million 

To find out more and to apply for a grant, follow this link .

13) DH replaces Section 64 with new funding stream

(posted 4 Aug 08)

The Dept of Health has replaced section 64 grants with a new Third Sector Investement Programme, but it may not be good news for small organisations.

The Dept of Health has joined the trend of central government departments directing their third sector funding towards fewer, large organisations. Its new sector funding programme – the Third Sector Investment Programme – replaces Section 64 grants, and has two strands:

• a strategic partner programme – up to 10 organisations will be funded to ensure better communication between the third sector and the DH
• an innovation, excellence and service development fund – national projects that contribute to DH’s objectives around improving health and wellbeing

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For further information, follow this link.

12) SfL development worker may be key to new funding streams (posted 25 July 08)

Jan Russell has been appointed as the SfL development worker for a pilot covering  Southend, Essex and Thurrock. She is keen to offer help to a wide range of learning providers, including those who might not realise they are delivering SfL and may therefore be missing out on potential funding streams. 

Jan Russell is the new SfL development worker providing help to Third Sector organisations under the auspices of WEA and funded by the LSC via COVER; Jan is also an SfL tutor for First Stop in Braintree. She is keen to hear from organisations working in the field.

Jan can offer a range of support to organisations currently engaged in SfL delivery and wants to know more about what they need. Please complete Jan's questionnaire and return it to her at jrussell@wea.org.uk.

Jan also believes that some organisations currently delivering literacy, numeracy and IT skills may be missing out on potential sources of funding if they do not themselves recognise it as SfL provision. She says:

'Please contact me if you are a Third Sector Learning SET member helping clients to improve their numeracy, literacy or IT skills as any part of your work with them. Our discussions may help you to access new funding streams.'

Jan is also keen for opportunities to introduce herself and would particularly welcome invitations to speak at meetings of Third Sector groups.

Again, please contact Jan via jrussell@wea.org.uk.

11) Members urged to join £3.5M regional ESOL/BME bid

(posted 25 July 08)

Organisations delivering ESOL or working with BME groups or migrant workers are urged to make themselves known to bidding organisation(s) NOW as all partners must be named.

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To negotiate inclusion in this bid contact Teresa Frith DIRECT at: teresa.frith@barnfield.ac.uk
 

10) Essex youth groups urged to apply for their share of £2M (1st round deadline: 12 Sep 08, 2nd: 16Jan 09)

(posted 21 July 08)

Essex County Council is urging youth groups across Essex to apply for capital funding from the Community Initiatives Fund (Youth), building on the Council's Community Initiative Fund.

Essex County Coucil has launched the latest round of thje Community Initiatives Fund (Youth). It will be given for capital projects only, with a minimum grant size of £15,000.

For further information, including how to apply, follow this link.

Flexible provision of courses to support senior staff is available through Train to Gain until the end of July 2008

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