useful links for organisations working with children young people and families:
NCVCCO, National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations - http://www.ncvcco.org About Us NCVCCO is an umbrella organisation whose members are all registered charities that work with children, young people and their families. They range from very large national organisations to small local based charities. Between them they invest over £500 million in direct services. They work in different ways, in and across various disciplines, and with different groups of children, but they share the aim of improving the quality of life for children. As an umbrella body our aim is, through maximising the voluntary child care and family support sector's contribution to the provision of services, to ensure the well-being and safety of children. We provide information as publications and briefings, consultations to members on child care and family issues and representation of members' views, to central, regional and local government. NCVCCO undertakes a range of consultative activities for government departments and other agencies both with members and the wider voluntary child care and family support sector, as well as occasional publications, projects or action research. NCVCCO is involved in various activities at Government level, or in association with other agencies. Regularly we are asked to represent the voluntary child care and family support sector on national advisory bodies. Where possible we do this directly or through a member organisation.
Welcome to VCS Engage - http://www.vcsengage.org.uk VCS Engage is a national programme, designed to strengthen the engagement of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda. The programme will deliver a comprehensive range of training and support packages to help VCS organisations acquire the skills and knowledge needed to successfully engage in the new framework, and strengthen the sector’s involvement in the planning, commissioning and delivery of services for children, young people and their families. By supporting increased collaboration between all agencies working to deliver Every Child Matters (ECM) related services, VCS Engage aims to improve outcomes for all children, young people and families. The programme is funded by the
Capacity Builders - http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk
Capacitybuilders works in partnership with government and other infrastructure bodies to help voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) work more effectively
Vision Our overall aim is to help create a more effective third sector. We want every third sector organisation to be able to access high quality support that meets their needs, when they need it. By improving support, we will strengthen the sector, increasing its ability to create a better quality of life for individuals and communities. Department for Children, Schools and Families (formerly Department for Education and Skills) - http://www.dfes.gov.uk Departmental information The Government has long been committed to enabling all children and young people to reach their full potential. This requires a strong lead in securing integrated children’s services and educational excellence. The new Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) means we can really concentrate on achieving these objectives. The Department will build on the successes in education and children’s services that we have seen over the last decade. It will now focus on the significant challenges that remain – raising standards so that more children and young people reach expected levels, lifting more children out of poverty and re-engaging disaffected young people. The new structure will also allow us to respond to new challenges that will affect children and families: demographic and socio-economic change; developing technology; and increasing global competition. In addition to its direct responsibilities, the department will lead work across Government to improve outcomes for children, including work on children’s health and child poverty. The Department for Children, Schools and Families is one of three new government departments set up by the Prime Minister on 28 June 2007; the others are the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). Government West Midlands - http://www.gos.gov.uk Welcome to the website for the Government Office for the West Midlands. Here you will find information about the Government Office as we join up the work of 10 Central Government Departments across the West Midlands, and feed back the region’s views and unique needs to Whitehall. We work to deliver, influence and develop government programmes and initiatives in the region on behalf of these departments, by working with relevant organisations to meet local needs. We also act as ears, eyes and a local voice for Whitehall in the West Midlands, reflecting back to central government the interests, concerns and successes of the region to inform policy development. Our website is a part of this process, and we hope that you will find it easy to use. Please forward your ideas to communications.team@gowm.gsi.gov.uk General Fact File Link for regional information: http://www.gos.gov.uk/facts/factgowm/?a=42496
The UK Youth Parliament plans to develop the first specialised accreditation scheme to recognise the outstanding efforts of its members. It hopes to launch the scheme for its members by the middle of next year. www.ukyp.org.uk The information commissioner has warned databases designed to protect vulnerable young people could have the opposite effect. www.ico.gov.uk Road safety organisation Brake has produced free PowerPoint presentation to help schools and youth groups run safety sessions. www.brake.org.uk Disabilities clubs for young people has launched a website service, Talklets, for disabled users that speaks text to users. www.clubsforyoungpeople.org.uk Charity Sane has launched an email advice service designed to appeal to young people funded by Vodafone UK Foundation. www.sanemail.org.uk A cost-benefit analysis of apprenticeship training carried out by the Department for Education and Skills has concluded that it is effect. www.dfes.gov.uk Brook has produced ‘Nothing but the Facts’, a leaflet developed by a young peer educator to dispel myths about emergency contraception. www.brook.org.uk Extended schools lead to better exam results and more focused pupil, says research from the Department for Education and Skills. www.dfes.gov.uk The Department of Health has launched guidance for professionals on supporting parents of children with learning difficulties. www.dh.gov.uk
National Organisations with Expertise in Supporting Parents
This month's Family Policy Digest is now online at: http://www.familyandparenting.org/familyPolicyDigest.
The main event in December was the launch of the Children's Plan. The digest also includes reports on child poverty and work-life balance, and government plans to get more lone parents into work.
Subscribe to our newsletter at www.familyandparenting.org/keepUpdated
www.parentinguk.org – Parenting www.parenthood.org.uk – resource to promote best practice in parenthood education for children and young people in schools. www.parenting.org.uk – Positive Parenting is a charity which offers parenting and training support. www.barnardos.org.uk/ - Barnardo’s is a children’s charity, which works with children, young people and families. www.coram.org.uk – Coram Family is a children’s charity that aims to develop and promote best practise in the care of vulnerable children and their families. www.parenttalk.co.uk – Parentalk is a national parenting charity. Information on Moving On transition programme. www.nch.org.uk – NCH works to children achieve their full potential. Its services support some of the www.fathersdirect.com Tel 020 7920 9491 – information, news and advice for fathers. Training consultants, and resources and information on the Fatherhood Quality Mark. www.ymca.org.uk/parenting - gives details of engaging with fathers in extended services through the national YMCA dads and lads project. www.oneplusone.org.uk – Marriage and partnership research www.oneplusone.org.uk National organisation working for the wellbeing of couples and their families. Information on parental relationships and its affect on the wellbeing of children.
For details of the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners visit: www.parentingacademy.org www.parentcentre.gov.uk – the Parent Centre is a website for all local parents and carers who want to help their child/ren to learn, with information and advice about children’s learning and the English education system. www.direct.gov.uk – a website giving a wide range of government information and services including regarding education, health and home community. www.homestart.org.uk - Home Start www.theparentconnection.org.uk Parents Information website of “oneplusone” organisation. It offers parents and parents to be practical advice and tips at milestones in family life including the transition to parenthood. It is research and evidence based, focusing on the parental relationships and the impact that relationship on children www.disabledparentsnetwork.org. Disabled Parents Network – 0870 241 0450 A national organisation of and for disabled people who are or who hope to become parents, their families, friends and supporters. It seeks to provide information, advice, peer support and contact with other disabled parents throughout the www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk National Council for one parent families. Information and advice for lone parents. www.netmums.com this is an on-line resource for parents to empower parents by helping them connect with each other and build social networks. It has a local section for almost every part of the country each contains extensive local information of family support; special needs support, childcare, sports facilities etc. 01454 852 418 – 24hrs Helpline: 0117 953 9639 Compassionate Friends Bristol 0131 654 6100 Young Minds Young Minds Information Service Tues Wed Thurs 1-4 Young Minds London Email: enquires@youngminds.org.uk 01788 573 241 Little Church Street Warminster Relate is not just a counselling service for couples. Some Relate centres around the country also offer parenting support groups. Others provide “Relations” – counselling for teenagers. Family Planning Association (FPA) FPA The Samaritans Helpline: 08457 909090 - 24hrs National charity, which provides a 24hr telephone helpline for children in trouble or danger. 0800 884444 (for children living away from home) BDA Reading Admin Tel: 0118 966 2677 Offers a range of practical help, support and publications for dyslexic children adults, parents and professional education. Al-Anon family groups support anyone who is affected by another persons drinking – including parents of teenagers. 61 Great Dover Street SE1 47F National Drug Helpline 0800 776600 - 24hrs Re-Solv Re-Solv is a charity providing info to parents and young people about solvent abuse. Email: information@re-solv.org 30a High Street ST15 8AN Eating Disorders Association 01603 621414 - 9-6 Mon-Fri Youth line 01603 765050 – 4-6 Mon-Fri http://www.parentingteens.com/
The content contained on this site is offered to the public as information, experiences, and the perspectives of other parents. ParentingTeens.com does not claim to offer any kind of medical or therapeutic advice or recommendations. We are happy to offer the perspectives and opinions of other parents but that is all. We encourage all parents to offer their opinions and experiences with any of the topics on our site. We also like to hear what parents of teens would like to see on this site. So feel free to contact us by email and let us know what you think of the site or if you would like to contribute to the site. Webpage for parents to go and talk and share experiences.
British Dyslexia Association
www.ndh.org.uk
www.re-solv.org
Children's Play Information Service
CPIS is a national information service on children’s play based at the National Children's Bureau Library. CPIS is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Big Lottery Fund through Play England. You'll find information on everything from play conferences and events to downloadable factsheets and student reading lists on our website.
Play England
Play England's aim is for all children and young people in England to have regular access and opportunity for free, inclusive, local play provision and play space. See their website for full details.
Children's Play Council
Founded in 1988, the Children's Play Council (CPC) is an alliance of national and regional voluntary organisations, local authorities and partnerships promoting children's right to play and the development of play provision in England. See their website for more details.
RegenWM - http://www.regenwm.org
Regional Action West Midlands - http://www.rawm.net
Black Country Obervatory - http://www.blackcountryobservatory.co.uk
Birmingham CEN - http://www.bcen.net
Coventry CEN - http://www.covcen.org.uk
Dudley Community Partnership - http://www.dudleylsp.org
Black Country Chambers of Commerce - http://www.bccbl.com
Black Country Learning and Skills Council - http://www.lsc.gov.uk/blackcountry
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/ianr/fcs/upsdowns/index.html
The Ups & Downs of Adolescence A newsletter for young people, parents, and all concerned adults.
http://www.popcouncil.org/ta/index.html
TRANSITIONS TO ADULTHOOD Adolescence marks the developmental transition from childhood to adulthood, a time when many important social, economic, biological, and demographic events set the stage for adult life. The nature and quality of young people’s future lives, as well as a country’s future social and economic development, depend largely on how well adolescents navigate this transition. Success requires adolescents to take advantage of opportunities to develop their human and social capital through schooling and work-related training and through community participation. (more) http://www.unicef.org/adolescence/ Adolescents contribute to society in countless, influential ways. They publish newspapers and magazines, run businesses, and serve as leaders in schools and communities. Some manage households; some care for younger siblings or ailing parents. Many work long days in factories and in fields. Bursting with vitality, curiosity and spirit, young people have the potential to help advance the world. They can educate their peers about life's challenges and the dangers of high-risk behaviour: about protecting themselves from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, for example. They can help others like themselves break cycles of violence and discrimination. UNICEF works with and for adolescents to involve them in life-affirming activities. When they are appreciated as sources of energy, imagination and passion, young people flourish and so their communities flourish. http://www.youthwork.com/youthinfo.html General information site including: Health, families, teen sites, relationships, youth groups, youth as advocates etc. Great links to a whole range of topics provided! http://www.youthwork.com/ywexped.html The sites listed below either focus solely on youth or have a significant amount of information about youth and youthwork Association For Experiential Education The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is a not-for-profit, international professional organization with roots in adventure education, committed to the development, practice, and evaluation of experiential learning in all settings Project Adventure Since 1971, Project Adventure, Inc. has been the leader in the field of Adventure education. Adventure education is learning that incorporates all the elements of an adventure surprise, stimulation, support and significance Guide To Active Reviewing Maximise the value of experience for learning, growth and development! This online guide provides debriefing tips, tools, articles, research and ezines about active, creative and effective reviewing Footbag Peace Initiative This site is dedicated to joyfully harnessing the sport of footbag (...known widely as "hacky sack") as a vehicle for personal health as well as cultural healing. The FPI aims to foster peace in the world by teaching and promoting cooperative play, peer leadership and non-violence among teens, athletes and others in America and abroad Outward Bound Outward Bound® is a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to conduct safe adventure-based programs structured to inspire respect for self, care for others, responsibility to the community and sensitivity to the environment. This site has links to all Outward Bound programs. http://www.youthworker.org.uk/
Youth Work Resources
Hello and welcome to Youth Work Resources have a look round and feel free to use any of the ideas you see. At Youth Work Resources we are always keen to get feedback and also your ideas and contributions to the site so feel free to contact us and send in anything you think would fit on the site. Also check out the new "Must See 2007" page in the resources section. http://www.infed.org/youthwork/b-yw.html
youth work - an introduction
What is youth work? Where did it come from? What is the state of practice today? We explore the development of the theory and practice of youth work in Britain and Northern Ireland. We also recommend some key youth work texts. http://www.mayc.info/section.asp?id=223 Check out our resources for youth workers and young people. We want to give you just what you need so tell us what you'd like!
Improving Evaluation in Experiential Education Recent changes in the methodologies of evaluation have provided useful tools for experiential educators. Such tools can be used to refine programming, enhance student learning, and perhaps improve the credibility of the field www.erlebnispaedagogik.de The German site for Experiential Education and Adventure-Based Learning. This site is written in most parts in German language, but you will find some links to different sites written in English and an International News Page Dr. Christian Itin Web site of experiential education resources, including definitions of Adventure-Based Practice and related terms The Creative World of Coleman Wheeler It is hard to sumarize this site, creative is the key word. Some selected topics include: "Paradise: The Great Adventure!....a short fable"; "Welcome to the Future"; "The Characteristics of a Good Leader!" National Society for Experiential Education The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) is a membership association and national resource center that promotes experienced-based approaches to teaching and learning. For over 25 years, NSEE has developed best practices for effectively integrating experience into educational programs Experiential Educators.com Teachers using experience to teach since 427 BC. A brief introduction to some of the experiential educators who have helped to develop the field or who currently make significant contributions Manifesto for Outdoor Adventure for Young People The Foundation for Outdoor Adventure is a national (UK) body committed to research education and promotion of the values of outdoor and adventurous experiences for young people The Duke of Edinburgh's Award The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a programme of leisure-time activities for all young people between the ages of 14-25. It gives opportunities for personal achievement, adventure, social involvement and a widening of interests
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia Pacific Adventure Learning PAL has been facilitating programs in Western Canada for the past six years. Programs offered by PAL are designed for implementation to a diverse range of clientele Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound Expeditionary Learning is a design for school reform that challenges K-12 students to meet rigorous academic and character standards Why Adventure? The role and value of outdoor adventure in young people's personal and social development. A Review of Research by Jon Barrett and Dr. Roger Greenaway commissioned by the Foundation for Outdoor Adventure (1995) CANADEC The Canadian Adventure and Education Centre, was established in 1997 as a vision of Pinnacle Youth Works, Inc (est. 1994) with the idea of providing a wide range of educational, therapeutic, and adventure opportunities for organizations, Canadian and international travelers, and young people in and out of the traditional school system National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps NATWC believes therapeutic wilderness camps represent one of the most effective methods of helping troubled young people change the way they deal with their parents, schools, and other authorities OutdoorEd.com The purpose of OutdoorEd.com is to provide a rich community for professional outdoor and experiential educators to come together and share their knowledge, ideas, questions, and issues Outdoor Education Research and Evaluation Center Aims to provide outdoor education and related fields with a central on-line resource for information, publications, tools and services for research and evaluation Outdoor Education and Troubled Youth Provides a brief historical synopsis of the parallel development of both outdoor education and outdoor therapeutic programs in working with troubled and adjudicated youth History of Outdoor Education Research Includes information on: Early studies; Classic studies; Adventure therapy research history; Outward Bound Australia research history ; and References Experiential Learning A discussion of the theory of experiential education with emphasis on the work of Kolb The Experiential Learning Cycle The cycle refers to the process by which individuals, teams, and organizations attend to and understand their experiences, and consequently modify their behaviors Why Experiential Learning is So Effective A brief discussion of twelve key components of experiential learning
National Children's Bureau is the
They are in the process of collecting information for the 2nd Edition of the IYF Network News which is circulated to all global partners.
The National Youth Agency was founded in 1991 and is based in Leicester, England. We aim to advance youth work to promote young people's personal and social development, and their voice, influence and place in society. Funded primarily by the Local Government Association and government departments. NCVYS is the independent voice of the voluntary youth sector in England. A diverse network of over 170 national voluntary youth organisations and regional and local youth networks, NCVYS has been working since 1936 to support voluntary and community organisations that work with young people. NCVYS co-ordinates, through its members, 500,000 paid and voluntary workers who provide direct support to approximately five million young people. http://www.ncvys.org.uk UK Youth is the leading national youth work charity supporting over 750,000 young people, helping them to raise their aspirations, realise their potential and have their achievements recognised via non-formal, accredited education programmes and activities. http://www.ukyouth.org
Dudley CVS - http://www.dudleycvys.org.uk Dudley Council for Voluntary Service was established in 1974 to act as an umbrella body for the community and voluntary sector in Dudley. • Dudley Council for Voluntary Service is one of over 280 Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) operating throughout England. • A local development agency promoting effective voluntary action. • A Registered Charity (No. 517766) and Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales (No. 1998105), non profit-making and independent from Government. Our registered office is 7 Albion Street, Brierley Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, DY5 3EE. • A membership organisation of local and independent voluntary and community groups, promoting any charitable purpose, for the benefit of the community in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. Worcester CVYS - http://www.wcvys.co.uk Worcestershire Council for Voluntary Youth Services (WCVYS) is a charity which supports and represents voluntary organisations and community groups working with children and young people. We have over 90 members including: Uniformed organisations (e.g. Scouts, Girlguiding) Independent youth groups Voluntary youth groups Faith youth groups We work towards meeting the needs and aspirations of young people by strengthening and supporting the work of our member organisations. This includes support with fundraising, practical help and advice, training and organisation development. We are committed to enabling young people to have fun, to feel secure and valued, and to learn to take greater control of their lives. Informal education programmes and activities are key to our work and provide a wide range of new experiences for children and young people. Warwickshire CVYS - http://www.dudleycvys.org.uk Young Warwickshire- helping you to help Young People More familiarly known as "Young Warwickshire" or "WCVYS", we are the umbrella organisation that brings together all the the major voluntary youth organisations in the county. We work closely with the County Council's Youth and Community Service, the Children, Young People and Families Directorate and the Coventry and Warwickshire Connexions Service. Together we provide a comprehensive training programme for youth workers, administer grants for training and projects and offer many opportunities for voluntary youth groups to enhance their programme of work with young people. We advise, support and train youth workers and youth group managers, campaign on behalf of our members and most importantly represent the voluntary youth sector at many County, Regional and National meetings and events. WCVYS..............Is based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, but we cover the whole County. Links with over 40 organisations, 400 youth groups and over 20,000 young people and 2,000 youth workers. Herefordshire CVYS - http://www.herefordshirecvys.org.uk Herefordshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services (HCVYS) was first set up in 1998 after a successful bid to the ‘National Lottery Fund’. A ‘Development Worker’ was appointed to concentrate on promoting voluntary youth work to meet the needs and aspirations of young people throughout the county of Herefordshire. This then saw a growth in the number of groups. In 2001-2002 Herefordshire CVYS had a membership of 24 groups, including representation from uniformed organisations, large independent groups and small village clubs. Herefordshire CVYS provides support to these groups and works for their sustainability, encouraging the development of new projects and supporting innovate ways of working. We keep the sector informed of new practice in youth work and strategic developments in working with young people. We provide a voice for the voluntary and community youth work sectors at local, regional and national levels. We bring youth groups together to work collaboratively and in partnership with other agencies and statutory providers.
Staffordshire CVYS - http://www.staffscvys.org.uk Who we are and what we do SCVYS is an umbrella organisation for Voluntary Youth Organisations It is a registered charity No 1104690 It is governed by its members through a constitution SCVYS’s Charitable Objective is: To promote good practice and the efficiency and effectiveness of its member organisations for the benefit of young people in Staffordshire and the efficient application of resources for the charitable purposes for the benefit of young people. This will be done by associating such members in a common effort to educate young people ,without distinction of sex, sexuality,disability, race, or political or religious opinion, so far as to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and that their quality of life may be improved, by support and strengthening the work of its members and ensuring that the young people’s voice, concerns and issues are represented wherever it is most appropriate. SCVYS's Mission To ensure the development and recognition of a vibrant,sound and diverse voluntary youth sector. Visioning Statements Inspiring and Equipping Voluntary & Community Youth Organisations Encouraging Partnership in Action Involving and empowering young People