Author: Helen

Corporate Parenting Charter: the importance of youth work for care experienced young people

The Welsh Government is asking all public bodies and third sector organisations to sign up to the Corporate Parenting Charter for care experienced young people.

Sharon Lovell, CEO at NYAS Cymru, has been active in ensuring that youth workers are also aware of this as it mentions youth work sector committing to the charter as their promise to care experienced young people. 

For more details, click here:

Corporate parenting Charter | GOV.WALES

A declaration of radical reform for children and young people’s care | GOV.WALES

https://www.llyw.cymru/datgan-diwygiad-radical-o-ofal-plant-phobl-ifanc

Leading Youth Work

We celebrated Youth Work Week 2023 with a special event with pioneering leaders in the youth work sector.

Sharon Lovell MBE (NYAS Cymru), Marco Gil-Cervantes (ProMo-Cymru) and Gethin Jones (Ceredigion County Council) shared their leadership journeys within the youth work sector.

The speakers shared their own personal stories, strategic approaches to developing leadership and how they support young people across Wales.

Hosted by Gavin Gibbs (Senior Youth Lead, Torfaen Youth Service), Paul Glaze (Chief Executive, CWVYS) and the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales.

Follow this link to take a look at the recorded talk – Leading Youth Work – National Leadership Wales (nael.cymru)

National Executive Director, NYAS Cymru

Sharon was first introduced to youth work as a young person herself whilst attending a youth centre. She became actively involved in Youthlink Wales; a peer-led youth organisation that focused on educating and informing young people on drugs, alcohol, HIV/AIDS. This enabled her to work throughout Wales with voluntary and statutory youth services. In 1994 she graduated with a diploma in youth and community studies from Glyndwr University, Wrexham and went on to study for a degree in Birmingham University.

After graduating, she started working in a homeless hostel for young people. It was during this time that she realised that many of the young people she was working with had been in the care system. The interconnection between homelessness and the care system became apparent. She felt passionate about the injustices young people in care faced. This led her to move into the field of advocacy and children’s rights when she became an advocate for The Children’s Society; her role was to develop advocacy services for children and young people in local authorities. Sharon also has experience of working as a CEO for Cardiff Youth Service, establishing the Caerphilly Youth Information Centre and worked as a volunteer in her local youth centre and Wrexham Women’s Aid.

More recently, Sharon has helped shape the advocacy agenda and landscape for Wales; she has been instrumental in ensuring that advocacy became a statutory entitlement for all children and young people in Wales, developed advocacy services across Wales and has worked in partnership with Welsh Government, ADSS and WLGA to secure a national advocacy approach for statutory advocacy provision; thus ensuring all children and young people who come into care are given an active offer of advocacy. She is currently the National Executive Director for the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS). Sharon was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to children and young people.

Marco Gil-Cervantes

Chief Executive, ProMo-Cymru

Marco has led ProMo-Cymru to become a leading social enterprise with a co-operative ethos. His expertise is in, social economics, cultural democracy and the empowerment of marginalised voices.

Under Marco’s leadership, ProMo-Cymru has developed a diverse range of forward thinking, transformational and innovative projects, with the aim of supporting young people and communities.

Marco is a long-standing executive member and treasurer of CWVYS, the Council for Wales Voluntary Youth Service, Chair of the Wales Internet Safety Partnership, Joint Chair of the Youth Work Joint Strategic Representative Group and Steering Group Member of Race Alliance Wales.

Marco was born in Andalucia, Spain and came to Wales at 4 years old with his Andalucian flamenco loving parents. Marco plays Touch Rugby and has played in senior teams for Wales in a World Cup and three European Cup Tournaments. He plays percussion in bands and cycles.

Gethin Jones

Corporate Manager, Support and Prevention Service, Ceredigion County Council

Gethin Jones began his career working with children and young people in the voluntary sector, before progressing into Youth and Community Work with Ceredigion County Council, where he has been employed for the past 10 years. Gethin has been fortunate to experience a range of different settings, including education and Pupil Referral Units; rural outreach, project management, community and stakeholder engagement, and has organised and managed a number of international youth exchanges. Gethin has over 5 years’ experience of managing different services and teams including school-based youth work, community youth work, school behaviour support, youth engagement and progression and youth justice service. Currently, Gethin is Corporate Manager for Support and Prevention Services in Ceredigion and has responsibility to lead 50 staff across 4 multi-disciplined teams and has established strong links and relationships with several partners across the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Marco Gil Cervantes is an Associate on the National Academy for Education Leaderhship. NAEL. He is the second Associate from the Youth Work Sector.  Gavin Gibbs from Torfaen is the other associate and there is likely to be two more.

This allows great access to wider thinking taking place in the Educational Sectors and to ensure that the voice of the Youth Work Sector is included.

Every Cohort carries out a commission  –  Marco’s group is looking at the new Curriculum.

Initially a questionnaire has be created by the cohort group to gather information. They are asking if all interested individuals would be able to fill in the New Curriculum for Wales survey.

Marco is also happy to meet with any of you that would like to do so to ensure that the voice of the sector is present.

Please follow the link to the survey below!

Y Cwricwlwm Newydd i Gymru – Comisiwn Cymheiriaid yr Academi Genedlaethol ar gyfer Arweinyddiaeth Addysgol Cymru The New Curriculum for Wales – Associate Commission of the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales (google.com)

Please could you kindly share with your contacts, our current vacancies in Wales, it would be appreciated – links below:

• Independent Parent Advocate (Maternity Cover) Caerphilly (16 hrs) – Independent Parent Advocate (Maternity Cover) (current-vacancies.com)
• Statutory Advocate Blaenau Gwent (18 hrs) – Advocate (current-vacancies.com)

·        Parent Advocacy Project Coordinator Gwent (35 hrs) – Project Coordinator – Parent Advocacy (current-vacancies.com)

·        Participation Development Worker Cardiff (17 hrs) – Participation Development Worker (current-vacancies.com)

The National Academy for Educational Leadership has recently published two new Youth Work Leadership case studies: 

These case studies, from Ceredigion County Council – Support and Prevention Service & Torfaen Youth Service explore two of the Leading Professional Learning Hallmarks: Rooted in professional enhancement and improvement & Centred on supporting all learners and mindful of well-being,   These are our first case studies from the Youth Work Sector, and if you would like to promote your leadership practice, please contact Emma Chivers at  emma@ec-consultancy.co.uk or via mobile: 07886710277

The groups we are looking to support will be providing services and activities that will make a huge difference to local families and individuals facing crisis and hardship. The groups we are looking to support will be providing services and activities that will make a huge difference to local families and individuals facing crisis and hardship.

The deadline to make an application is midday on Tuesday 4th July 2023.

Grants will cover the core and/or project costs of groups that can demonstrate they are providing services to the community to help alleviate situations of crisis and hardship.  Groups can apply for a maximum grant of £5,000 a year for up to 3 years. In order to be considered for multiyear funding, groups must be able to produce at least one set of annual accounts (i.e. have been in existence for at least 12 months).

This fund is open to constituted community-based charities and organisations supporting people in the local community as a direct result of the cost of living crisis:

• Constituted Groups
• Registered Charities & Charitable Incorporated Organisations
• Companies Limited by Guarantee (Not for private profit)
• Community Interest Companies
• Social Enterprises

Apply online here: https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/our-communities-together-a-cost-of-living-fund/

Leading Youth Work Monday 26 June 4-5:30pm

We’re celebrating Youth Work Week 2023 with a special event with pioneering leaders in the youth work sector. Join Sharon Lovell MBE (NYAS Cymru), Marco Gil-Cervantes (ProMo-Cymru) and Gethin Jones (Ceredigion County Council) as they share their leadership journeys within the youth work sector.

The speakers will be sharing their own personal stories, strategic approaches to developing leadership and how they support young people across Wales.

Hosted by Gavin Gibbs (Senior Youth Lead, Torfaen Youth Service), Paul Glaze (Chief Executive, CWVYS) and the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales.

Registration essential here

This is an exciting opportunity to play a major role in taking forward workforce development for youth work in Wales. The Workforce Development Officer (WDO) will be located with the WLGA and work closely with ETS, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders in both voluntary and local authority sectors.

The Interim Youth Work Board (IYWB), in its final report to the Welsh Government ‘Time to deliver for young people in Wales’ (September 2021), identified the need for support and development of the youth work profession, a career structure offering progression, and a workforce development strategy and plan for the youth work sector. The WDO will play a leading role in putting this agenda into action.

You’ll be working with ETS and the Workforce Development Implementation Participation Group on implementing the Workforce Development Pilot Plan, including recruitment and retention issues, what’s available currently for youth workers and youth support workers in training and professional learning, how it is funded, and addressing the gaps.

We’re looking for a qualified youth and community worker with extensive experience in training and professional learning, who understands the youth work sector in Wales, has the proven ability to write and present plans effectively, and to discuss and consult on ideas about developing the workforce.

Closing Date:         Sunday 25 June 2023

Interview Date:      Wednesday 12 July 2023

Fersiwn Cymraeg;

Mae hwn yn gyfle cyffrous i chwarae rhan bwysig yn y gwaith o ddatblygu’r gweithlu ar gyfer gwaith ieuenctid yng Nghymru. Bydd Swyddog Datblygu’r Gweithlu (WDO) yn cael ei leoli gyda CLlLC ac yn gweithio’n agos gyda ETS, Llywodraeth Cymru a rhanddeiliaid allweddol eraill yn y sectorau gwirfoddol ac awdurdodau lleol.

Nododd y Bwrdd Gwaith Ieuenctid Dros Dro (IYWB), yn ei adroddiad terfynol i ‘Amser i gyflawni ar gyfer pobl ifanc yng Nghymru’ (Medi 2021), yr angen am gefnogaeth a datblygiad y proffesiwn gwaith ieuenctid, strwythur gyrfa sy’n cynnig cynnydd, a strategaeth datblygu’r gweithlu a chynllun ar gyfer y sector gwaith ieuenctid. Bydd WDO yn chwarae rhan flaenllaw wrth roi’r agenda hon ar waith.

Byddwch yn gweithio gydag ETS a Grŵp Cyfranogiad Gweithredu ar Ddatblygu’r Gweithlu ar weithredu Cynllun Peilot Datblygu’r Gweithlu, gan gynnwys materion recriwtio a chadw, yr hyn sydd ar gael ar hyn o bryd i weithwyr ieuenctid a gweithwyr cymorth ieuenctid mewn hyfforddiant a dysgu proffesiynol, sut mae’n cael ei ariannu, a mynd i’r afael â’r bylchau.

Rydym yn chwilio am weithiwr ieuenctid a chymuned cymwys sydd â phrofiad helaeth mewn hyfforddiant a dysgu proffesiynol, sy’n deall y sector gwaith ieuenctid yng Nghymru, sydd â’r gallu profedig i ysgrifennu a chyflwyno cynlluniau’n effeithiol, ac i drafod ac ymgynghori ar syniadau am ddatblygu’r gweithlu.  

Dyddiad Cau:                   Dydd Sul 25 Mehefin 2023

Dyddiad y Cyfweliad:     Dydd Mercher 12 Gorffennaf 2023

The government is taking action at all levels to prevent crime and make our streets safer, but we know there is more to do to protect the public and end serious violence.

There is an opportunity to comment on upcoming knife legislation changes that are being proposed. You can find the proposals in the attached document, which can also be found here.

Responses can be submitted online or can be sent by email to machetes-knives-consultation@homeoffice.gov.uk by 6th June 2023.

For more information on the Consultation, follow this link.

Wales Violence Prevention Unit

Fersiwn Cymraeg;

Annwyl Gydweithiwr,

Mae’r llywodraeth yn cymryd camau ar bob lefel i atal troseddu a gwneud ein strydoedd yn fwy diogel, ond gwyddom fod mwy o waith i’w wneud i ddiogelu’r cyhoedd a rhoi diwedd ar felltith trais difrifol.

Mae cyfle i wneud sylwadau ar y newidiadau arfaethedig i ddeddfwriaeth cyllyll. Gallwch ddod o hyd i’r cynigion yn y ddogfen atodedig, sydd hefyd i’w gweld yma.

Gellir cyflwyno ymatebion ar-lein neu eu hanfon drwy e-bost at machetes-knives-consultation@homeoffice.gov.uk erbyn 6 Mehefin 2023.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am yr Ymgynghoriad, dilynwch y ddolen hon.

Uned Atal Trais Cymru

 Youth Voice Network for Wales tender – CCM:0548246

The Electoral Commission is the independent public body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity.

We also use our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency.

Our education work aims to promote greater consistency in political literacy education, increase knowledge and understanding of democracy and politics amongst young people, and increase educators’ confidence and understanding of democracy. Over the last year, we have developed a network of young people who actively inform our work and create resources for young people that are engaging and fit for purpose. The first phase of our youth voice work came to end in March 2023, and over the next three years we aim to grow the impact and reach of our Youth Voice Network. The aim of this work is to ensure young people receive quality and impartial information which explains how to vote, what they are voting for, and how they can engage in democracy with confidence.

We will shortly be going out to tender for this project and are hoping for several strong applications from youth organisations across Wales. If your organisation would be interested in applying, please get in touch and I’d be happy to have a quick chat before the tender goes live to provide some further detail about the project and what we’re looking for.

Fersiwn Cymraeg;

Mae’r Comisiwn Etholiadol yn corff cyhoeddus annibynnol sy’n goruchwylio etholiadau ac yn rheoleiddio cyllid gwleidyddol yn y DU. Rydym yn gweithio i hyrwyddo hyder y cyhoedd yn y broses ddemocrataidd a sicrhau ei huniondeb.

Rydym hefyd yn defnyddio ein harbenigedd i wneud ac eirioli dros newidiadau i’n democratiaeth, gyda’r nod o wella tegwch, tryloywder ac effeithlonrwydd.

Nod ein gwaith addysg yw hyrwyddo mwy o gysondeb mewn addysg llythrennedd gwleidyddol, cynyddu gwybodaeth a dealltwriaeth o ddemocratiaeth a gwleidyddiaeth ymhlith pobl ifanc, a chynyddu hyder a dealltwriaeth addysgwyr o ddemocratiaeth.

Dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, rydym wedi datblygu rhwydwaith o bobl ifanc sy’n llywio ein gwaith yn weithredol ac yn creu adnoddau ar gyfer pobl ifanc sy’n ymgysylltu ac yn addas i’r diben. Daeth cam cyntaf ein gwaith llais ieuenctid i ben ym mis Mawrth 2023, a dros y tair blynedd nesaf ein nod yw cynyddu effaith a chyrhaeddiad ein Rhwydwaith Llais Ieuenctid. Nod y gwaith hwn yw sicrhau bod pobl ifanc yn derbyn gwybodaeth o ansawdd a diduedd sy’n esbonio sut i bleidleisio, yr hyn y maent yn pleidleisio drosto, a sut y gallant ymgysylltu â democratiaeth yn hyderus.

Byddwn yn mynd allan i dendro ar gyfer y prosiect hwn cyn bo hir ac yn gobeithio am sawl cais cryf gan sefydliadau ieuenctid ledled Cymru. Os oes gan eich sefydliad ddiddordeb mewn gwneud cais, cysylltwch â ni a byddwn yn hapus i gael sgwrs gyflym cyn i’r tendr fynd yn fyw i roi rhagor o fanylion am y prosiect a’r hyn rydym yn chwilio amdano.