E-Bulletin - December 2008 -

January 2009

December/January E-Bulletin main contents page


National News

Examples of reporting public benefit

The Charity Commission has published a couple of example trustee annual reports which show how trustees can approach the new duty to report on public benefit. One of the fictional examples is an advice charity above the audit threshold, the other a youth club below that limit. The Commission's general guidance page is at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publicbenefit/pbreport.asp

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Revisions to disciplinary and grievance procedures

Acas's revised Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures has been approved by the Secretary of State, subject to parliamentary approval. It comes into effect on 6 April 2009, when the statutory dismissal and grievance procedures are abolished. Any tribunal awards can be increased by 25% following an unreasonable failure by an employer to follow the Code.

Download the code from www.acas.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=961&p=0 , or see Sandy Adirondack's notes at
www.sandy-a.co.uk/employment.htm#discipline

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Coalition for child safety education

A government grant of over £1.6 million to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in partnership with the National Children's Bureau will lead to the creation of a Child Safety Education Coalition. This will work to improve the provision of practical safety education to give more children and young people the skills, knowledge and confidence to keep themselves safe in a range of situations. Department for Children, Schools and Families news at www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0249

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Exploring innovative ideas in welfare services

More details of the Department for Work and Pensions 'Right to Bid' scheme have been posted online. This aims ‘to capture and explore innovative ideas from external organisations which can provide measurable improvements in the way services are delivered.’ Any proposals which are genuinely innovative and pass certain tests will be considered. See www.dwp.gov.uk/supplyingdwp/what_we_buy/right_to_bid.asp  

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Key provider list for education and training services

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has created a Qualified Provider Framework for providers of education and training services - a list from which the LSC will secure education and training services.
More information: www.acevo.org.uk

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Valuing sector independence

A checklist ‘to help voluntary and community organisations reflect on their independence’ was launched at the NCVO/GMCVO autumn conference last week. It is sponsored by the Barings Foundation. The document is available as a download from Third Sector's site,
http://offlinehbpl.hbpl.co.uk/NewsAttachments/NST/Checklist.pdf  

Compact Voice has issued a report, 'Dancing to our own tune' sub-titled The Compact: Strengthening Voluntary Sector Independence, based on the findings of five focus groups in which voluntary and community sector employees discussed what they thought of the Compact and the impact it had on their independence. It highlights their believe organisations must take responsibility for their own independence.
More information: www.thecompact.org.uk

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Investing in social enterprises

The Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund recently launched has £4.25 million available to provide equity-like loans of up to one million pounds to social enterprises. These are aimed at mid-range organisations that can demonstrate ‘high social impact’ and have viable plans to expand. There is a range of big name investors behind the initiative, which is run by Bridge Ventures with backing from National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts.
More information: www.bridgesventures.com/news.php?newsID=54

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Further Education volunteering project toolkit

Volunteering England has produced a step-by-step guide on the initial stages of developing student volunteering programmes and how to set up successful, sustainable projects.
More information: www.volunteering.org.uk

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Sharing knowledge on working with vulnerable adults

A web forum ‘to help deliver the government's commitment to radically improve the life chances of vulnerable adults’ has been set up. The 'Socially Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement (PSA)' Community of Practice is open to anyone involved in the four PSA 16 client groups, whether working for local government or third sector, but you do have to register.
More information: www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/842578/home.do www.communities.idea.gov.uk/welcome.do

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The above news was resourced from VolResource newsletter www.voluntarynews.org.uk

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