PA Bulletin 21st August
The Connexions Surrey bulletin is produced every two weeks and we aim to keep you up to date with current issues and aware of news that is relevant to your day to day jobs. The bulletin sits alongside the PA Resource section of the website.
2. NEET Activities CALENDAR - New
4.Connexions Training Programmes
5. Surrey County Council Courses
6. Online Vacancies for Young People
7. Facebook – Your Help Please…
8. Woking Ypod CEO Terry Eckersley - the ‘Face of the Peacocks’
9. Dangerous wildlife in Woking canal? – Woking YMCA
10. It's not all child's play - Training Course for Young People
11. Guidance on using the CAMHS Screening Tool
UPDATE: How well are we doing in 2009? Click Here for the latest graphs on NEET, Unknowns and NEET by Borough Breakdown.
Job Opportunities for Young People
Our Centres produce regular listings of local opportunities. Vacancy Bulletins are now listed on the Connexions website Job search page and you can also pick up copies from your local Centre to share with the young people you are currently working with.
2. NEET Activities CALENDAR - NEW
This has been revamped!! You will see to the top left of this screen there is now a Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) Activities Calendar. This will help to cut down on reams of text in the bulletin. You can see the calendar where ever you are on the site, there is an option at the bottom of the calendar to flick forwards or backwards between the months. NEET Events will be highlighted by a blue box on the particular day its being held and you just click on the highlighted date and it will bring up all the information. You will see at the moment the calendar is not very full – I need your help to fill it! Please let me know about any events you are running and I can get the following details uploaded onto the calendar. My email address is below.
Course/Event title
Brief description, to include, number of weeks, core content, referral process etc
Agency/Provider
Dates
Time
Costs (if any incurred by young person)
Contact name
Contact details i.e. telephone number and email address
Jemma Campbell – Connexions Surrey - jemma.campbell@surreycc.gov.uk - Tel: 01483 519350
DCSF produce printed and online Choices publications to ensure that young people and their parents/carers have the support they need to make wise choices. 'Which_way_now?' click here for related document (ref 383-0) provides information on how to choose key stage 4 options. 'It's_your_choice' (ref 382-3) provides information on how to choose post-16 options. Each booklet will include an integrated supplement targeted at parents/carers. Both publications will also be available in interactive formats via Connexions_Direct along with an online version of the parents/carers’ booklet. 'A_Practitioners'_guide' (ref 384-7) is available to support effective use of the Choices publications. The booklets can be ordered free of charge for delivery at the beginning of the autumn term by calling Prolog on 0845 602 2260, by e-mail from connexions@prolog.uk.com.
4.Connexions Training Programmes - To register for any of the following courses: Please complete the attached application form and email it to Corinne Ford at mailto:corinne.ford@surreycc.gov.uk and cc your line manager.
Introduction to the new IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) standards.
It is important that all Personal Advisers have a good understanding of the new IAG standards covered by the workshops between May and July. Could those PAs who have not attended any of the courses and have not sent in the distance learning questions they are required to complete, please do so ASAP.
Please post your answers too:
Corinne Ford, Connexions, First Floor, Quadrant Court, 35, Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 7QQ by the end of July.
Introduction to ADAPT
Aim - To provide training on the use of Adapt and obtain a good understanding of the system. As a result of the course participants should have a good understanding of Adapt and be able to record work with clients
The course covers:
· Adding and amending records for clients
· Recording contacts/plans
· Recording letters and telephone contacts
· Joining and leaving clients to NEET
· Recording a Potential/Actual Endorsement
· Recording Group Sessions etc
· Be able to record work with providers/opportunities
· Adding new providers
· Amending records
· Recording a visit
· Adding and submitting to an opportunity
· Recording the outcome of a submission
· Putting an opportunity on HOLD and then back on to LIVE & Canceling an Opportunity
|
Dates |
Times |
Venue |
|
15-Sep-09 |
09:45-15:30 |
Redhill Connexions Centre |
|
15-Sep-09 |
09:45-15:30 |
Crawly Connexions Centre |
ADAPT Workshop
Aim: To provide training on the use of Adapt and obtain a better understanding of the system and to:
Manipulate data in a record card
Manipulate data in the daily planner
Run both formal searches and a magic search
Manipulate search result
Print search results
Run a report to obtain statistical data
|
Dates |
Times |
Venue |
|
09-Sep-09 |
09:45-15:30 |
Redhill Connexions Centre |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – “Everybody’s business” workshop and e-learning
The course material is divided into 4 sections
• Section 1 – Raising awareness (what is mental health, risk and resilience factors)
• Section 2 – Mental health (diagnostic labels, mental health disorders, assessment, child development)
• Section 3 – Roles and responsibilities (structure of CAMHS, what can be done by front-line, case studies, when to refer on)
• Section 4 – What helps (listening skills, engaging young people)
End of course workshops are available to PAs who registered on this course as below.
|
Dates |
Times |
Venue |
|
End of course feedback for those who attended Redhill induction 12-Jun-09 and independent learners |
||
|
07-Oct-09 |
9.30-11.30 |
Redhill Connexions |
|
End of course feedback for those who attended Guildford induction 18 –Jun-09 and independent learners |
||
|
15-Oct-09 |
9.30-11.30 |
Guildford AO3 |
Could any further PAs interested in starting this e-learning course please send a Connexions nomination form to Corinne Ford who will either plan a further workshop or advise on independent learning if preferred
5. Surrey County Council Courses The following courses can be booked directly using links below. Please ensure a copy of your application form is sent to Corinne.Ford@surreycc.gov.uk
CAF One Day Multi-Agency Training for Users
Course aim
To enable participants to gain a good understanding of the purpose and process of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). To enable participants to use the Common Assessment Framework in practice to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
Conditions of acceptance of a place on this course
All participants must have agreed with their manager to attend the course. For cancellation, please refer to the cancellation section below.
Please note: It is advisable to complete the on-line Basic Awareness Training before you attend this course.
Times for all courses
Arrival: 9.15 am, Session starts: 9.30 am, Session closes: 4.00pm. A light lunch is provided.
How to book a place on the One Day Multi-Agency Training for Users Course?
1. Click on the e-booking form link below (it can sometimes take up to one minute to display).
2. Select a suitable date and venue, click on 2009 at the top. This will put the dates in order from January 2009. The form will display by clicking on the selected date.
3. Complete and submit the form. Please allow a few minutes for your form to go through the system.
4. Make sure you print a copy to keep a record of your booking with the reference number and details of the venue.
5. If you experience any difficulties with the system, please contact Françoise Noël, CAF Project Assistant for help on 020 8541 7108.
On-line booking form Please ensure a copy of your application form is sent to Corinne.Ford@surreycc.gov.uk
CAF training -Half day refresher course for users
This course has been designed for professionals who have received training eight to twelve months ago and for professionals who are already familiar with the ECM Agenda and the Assessment Framework
It is vital at this time for the CAF implementation across the County, which is gathering pace that all professionals are up to date and secure in their understanding of the CAF 5-Step process.
Attendance will give an opportunity to professionals to update their knowledge on current CAF processes and new arrangements to query if a CAF Assessment has already been undertaken on a child.
To book a place, complete the attached e-booking form online and keep a copy for your records once you have submitted it. Please ensure a copy of your application form is sent to Corinne.Ford@surreycc.gov.uk
6. Online Vacancies for Young People
Please remember to direct your young people to our website and encourage them to spend a few minutes completing a few questions on our Job Search page which will open up the database of jobs relevant and available to them. With over 120 vacancies on the database this is a valable resource which we are keen to promote.
7. Facebook – Your Help Please…
Connexions Surrey has set up a Facebook Profile, so far we have 100 members, but we would love to make it more like 400!! We would very much encourage PA’s to help get this off the ground.
Social networking is an excellent platform for engaging with and linking Young People.
We have used opportunities for consultation, prizes, and days out and meeting new friends as incentives to get young people to join. Please promote this to your clients and encourage them to make friends with: Connexions Surrey by logging on to their www.facebook.com profile and searching for us. Any queries about this should be directed to:
Nicole Bradshaw: Involving Young People Worker - 01483 519 082
8. Woking Ypod CEO Terry Eckersley - the ‘Face of the Peacocks’
Please see attached for the full press release – Click Here
9. Dangerous wildlife in Woking canal? – Woking YMCA
We are having a fun canoe and walk event from Woking -New Inn-Send-Send Road, Send, Woking, Surrey, GU23 7EN right by the canal at send to Guildford YMCA! Saturday 22nd Aug-1pm, and celebrating the first day of Ramadan! We are meeting there at 12 lunch and setting sail; at 1pm! We are partnering with some other like-minded organisations and paddling up stream against the credit crunch, apathy and continuing to live with purpose for the cause of young people in need! Can you support-can you walk, can you canoe, can you donate? Please consider this great event and organisation. We are helping the most vulnerable and marginalised young people in Woking and North West Surrey and seeing great proven results!
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now! or joining us for this event - its easy to set up a page on www.justgiving.com and contact us at admin@wokingymca.org.uk for updates etc………
We can provide canoes-life jackets instructors’ and the license fee! If you want to take part in this momentous occasion! WE really value and appreciate your support.
Terry Eckersley CEO Woking YMCA.
10. It's not all child's play - Training Course for Young People at Kestrels Children's Centre
A free course for 16-19 year olds caring for children, this includes young parents, carer’s and those keen to work with children. Click here for details
11. Guidance on using the CAMHS Screening Tool
Click here for guidance document.
12. A Level Results - Free phone support
Connexions Direct were fully staffed in anticipation of A Level results day, and all Advisers had refresher briefings. They also set up a transfer process to the Exam helpline (0808 100 8000), which Advisers will transfer young people to if appropriate.
Remember, you can refer young people to the free phone service on 080 800 13 2 19 any time between 07:00 and 01:00, 365 days a year, including 'results day'.
You might be interested to know what the top 20 FAQs were from this time last year:
1. I have achieved my required grades and am happy to go to my first choice of University. What do I do?
2. I have achieved my required grades but want to change my course/university. What do I do?
3. I have achieved my required grades but no longer want to go to university. What do I do?
4. I have achieved higher than my required grades. Can I choose a different course/university?
5. I have not achieved my required grades; can I still go to my first choice?
6. How does clearing work?
7. I have received a changed course offer – what is this and what do I do?
8. I have already applied through UCAS and do not have any offers – what do I do?
9. I have not yet applied but after receiving my results would like to apply to university – can I do this and if so how?
10. I have achieved my required grades, however I want to defer for a year – what do I do?
11. I ‘m taking a gap year – what options do I have?
12. I don’t want to go to university – what are my options?
13. I don’t think my grade was correct – what do I do?
14. Somebody has told me about “cashing in”, what is this?
15. I’m not happy with my grades – can I resit and how do I go about this?
16. How do my grades convert into UCAS points?
17. What are the differences between Route A and Route B?
18. What do I need to do with regards to student loans/accommodation?
19. I’m going through clearing – I am worried about where I will live and finance. What do I do?
20. I want to improve on my UCAS points, is it possible for me to take another A Level in a year, so that I can apply for university in September 2010?
13. Estranged young people in full-time education.
Dear All,
Thanks to a referral from a Connexions worker, I've uncovered a letter/questionnaire issued by the Under 20 Team at the JCP Benefit Delivery Centre in Hastings. This letter is apparently issued to all young people still in full-time non-advanced education claiming Income Support on the grounds of estrangement.
This letter is both threatening in tone and illegal in terms of its interpretation of the law. It asks a series of irrelevant, intrusive and insensitive questions and is clearly aimed at deterring young people from claiming benefit to which they are legally entitled. In my view, it also constitutes harassment and I am pursuing a compensation claim in respect of the above case.
Following my intervention, this letter has now been unilaterally withdrawn but there's no doubt that its been in circulation for some time and may therefore have disentitled a significant number of young people on the basis of an incorrect interpretation of the law. Apart from depriving a young person of money it may also be the case that your service has incurred unnecessary expenditure if you've been forced to financially support that young person.
I'd therefore be interested in knowing whether any of your staff know of similar cases that could be pursued with a view to seeking compensation for the young person and reimbursement of any money you've paid out.
Alaster Calder - Senior Benefits Policy Adviser
Tel: 01483 519474
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