1:  Surrey Skills Festival

29, 30 and 31 January 2008 (open daily for Year 9s)
30 January 2008 5.30-9pm public open evening

Sandown Park, Esher

Public Open Evening:  This is your chance to bring along any young people who might be interested in having a go at the 100+ exhibits available, trying their hands at the interactive stands and talking to those in the know about possible career opportunities.  Anyone is welcome to this evening event.

We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow! 


2:  Common Assessment Framework (CAF) - January 2008 Update

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key component in the Every Child Matters Change for Children programme.   The aim is to identify, at the earliest opportunity, a child’s or young person’s additional needs which are not being met by the universal services they are receiving, and provide timely and co-ordinated support to meet those needs.   See link to Surrey Public Website - CAF Home Page (www.surreycc.gov.uk) above for further information.

·  Assisting professionals with the CAF processes – NB there is currently some capacity to come and help you to complete a Common Assessment if you feel unsure about how to proceed and whether a Common Assessment is appropriate

· Developing local contacts and delivering CAF Intro/Awareness sessions

· Co-training on CAF One Day Multi-Agency training courses

· Chairing and administering CAP Panels

· Attending and reporting to CAF Area Implementation Groups and Area Partnership Groups

Phase 1 Implementation started in November 2007, and a number of agencies in all areas of Surrey have begun to use the CAF process.
Schools and Health have been the main initiators of Common Assessments during this period, and staff have reported that although it takes time to complete the process properly, it can highlight issues that the practitioner was previously unaware of and there are significant benefits for the children or young people involved. 

Phase 2 Implementation

Planning has begun, and a number of new settings identified and training is being put in place. 

Two key documents to assist professionals

CAF 5 Step Process – a reminder – the CAF is a process not just a form. Click on the link above to see this essential information.

CAF Integrated Multi-Agency Policy & Procedure Manual

Everything you need in one place!

This is a detailed reference document to assist you when considering and completing a Common Assessment.

CAF Training Courses and E-booking forms

·  New: A CAF Half Day Refresher Course has been designed for professionals who have been trained in 2006 or early 2007. There are four dates available to book, in January and March 2008.

· CAF Overview - Introduction to schools and teams

· Basic Awareness on-line e-Learning package

· One Day Multi-Agency training course

· CAF Training the Trainers course, and Update Workshops for Trainers

Françoise Noël

CAF Project Assistant

County Hall room 158:   Tel: 020 8541 7108   francoise.noel@surreycc.gov.uk 

3:  Rainer Surrey Floating Support Service

We have ongoing Floating Support Vacancies for Young People who are residing in Surrey.

Rainer Surrey Services operate a Floating Support Scheme aiming to provide short term (not more than two years) floating support to young people who are at risk 16&17 years old and young people leaving Local Authority Care between the ages of 16 and 21 years, who are in need of housing related support in order to maintain and promote independent living and linking in with the five key Every Child Matters objectives:

1. Staying Safe
2. Staying Healthy
3. Enjoying and Achieving
4. Making a Positive Contribution
5. Economic Well Being

Click here for further details of the type of support provided.  Click here for details of the Criteria for Eligibility.
Click here for a referral form

Please contact Donna Leedham, Service Co-coordinator for more information on 01483 517055 or by email donna.leedham@surreycc.gov.uk

4:  SCC Awards for Volunteering

The search is on for the county’s unsung heroes! Do you know someone who volunteers for a Surrey County Council service or perhaps for one of the many voluntary and community organisations signed up to the Surrey Compact?

Now in their fourth year, the Surrey County Council Awards for Volunteering take place on 16 June 2008 at County Hall, and recognise the outstanding individuals who give their time to support, encourage, develop and nurture others throughout Surrey. 

The awards aim to acknowledge the amazing contribution volunteers make to Surrey in all fields. They are open to people volunteering with a Surrey County Council service, or for one of the many voluntary and community groups signed up to the Surrey Compact (a partnership agreement which helps Surrey’s public bodies, voluntary and community organisations work together).

You are invited to nominate volunteers who you think deserve special recognition for their outstanding work, and for the impact they’ve had on individuals or an organisation. All nominees will receive a signed certificate from the Council in recognition of their contribution, whether they win an Award or not. The winners and their nominators will be invited to attend a ceremony at County Hall.

All nominations must be received by 4 April 2008. To enter or find out more, including a list of the seven award categories, please download the form www.surreycc.gov.uk/awardsforvolunteering, call Surrey County Council on 08456 009 009 or email awardsforvolunteering@surreycc.gov.uk  

5:  Prince's Trust Team – Woking
You may already be aware of the Prince's Trust Team programme in Woking, an exciting 12 weeks of personal development for young people that can be of benefit to them and their local community.  Obviously we would like to get details about this free programme to as many 16-15 year olds as possible and hope that you might be willing to help us with this by displaying a poster or distributing  flyers.

If you would like any further information about future programme, flyers or posters please do not hesitate to contact me on 01483 412760 or the Team Leader, Caroline Adcock on 07748 96317.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best wishes
Georgina Waters
Development Officer

6:  MENCAP Half Term and Spring Term Leisure Schemes

The Mencap Leisure Service in North Surrey would like to tell you about the fun and exciting half term and spring term schemes for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities aged 18 years and over.

7:  Pilot Learning Programme for Teenage Parents
Funding has been allocated through the LSC to set up pilot programmes of learning for Teenage parents aged 14-19.  In Surrey we have been allocated 60 places (£820 per learner) for learning that will encourage young parents to remain in learning as long as appropriate, and to return to learning when circumstances allow after the birth of a child.
The Pilot functional Skills qualifications will cover:-
*  English-level 1
*  English - level 2
*  ICT - level 1
*  ICT- level 2
*  Maths - level 1
*  Maths - level 2

The programme will be open to young mothers and fathers. Programme content is flexible and can include both structured formal learning sessions and broader parenting skills development.

In addition to the above, typically learners will have access to a range of modules designed to support their learning needs during pregnancy and during the early months of a child's life. These could include:-
*  Pregnancy and Labour
*  Parenting skills development
*  Study Skills and Support
*  Health and Nutrition information and advice
*  First Aid/Food hygiene/Health and Safety programme
*  Financial management and budgeting
*  Vocational tasters via a FE or WBL provider, or employer

Two training providers have been identified already to deliver this programme, which could be tailored for the client group. An element of supported on- line learning could be included.

What you need to do now is to contact me or the TP BSO Carole Jones on 01372-833073 asap how many within your young parents group would be interested, and for which programme.  Please treat as urgent and get back to me before the end of Jan 08.

I await your response.
Best wishes
Emmanuel
Dr. Emmanuel Edet
Development Manager, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, Room 158, County Hall, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DJ    Tel:  0208 541 7559 / 07968 832188

8:  Diploma in Public Services
Please be aware of a new website devoted to the Diploma In Public Services – ‘a new qualification for young people launched in January aiming to provide an insight into the many rewarding careers that are available in the public sector.'

The website offers information for young people, employers, HE, schools and colleges, parents and other stakeholders and is available at www.publicservicediploma.co.uk  
 

9: NEET UPDATE– How well are we doing?

Click here for the November graphs on NEET, Unknowns and Comparison against previous years

Click here to follow the links to view the NEET statistics for each individual borough

Job Vacancies for Young People

Did you know that there are a wide range of job vacancies, vacant college places and training courses all over the county waiting to be filled? As the majority don’t have particularly demanding entry requirements, they are an ideal choice for many NEET youngsters.

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.

NEET Activities Flyer  - Jan-March 2008   

Please find attached a document highlighting a range of NEET activities taking place for young people around the County from January until the end of March 2008.  The aim of the document is to give you an indication of the types of activities/programmes that are available or are currently being undertaken.

The next edition of the flyer will cover the period April - June 2008 and ideally I would like to distribute it to you all week commencing 17^th March which would allow you some time to speak with your NEET young people and potentially get them signed up onto a course/programme that may be starting within this period.

If you are involved in any NEET (16-18 year old) activities or know of any activities for NEET young people that are taking place between January and the end of March 2008 then please let me have the following details by 14th March and I will include the programme in the next flyer:

1. Course title
2. Brief description, to include, number of weeks, core content, referral process etc
3. Agency/provider
4. Dates
5. Time
6. Costs if any incurred by young person
7. Contact name
8. Contact details i.e. telephone number and email address

Justine Khan