submitting articles for this site

If you wish to have any news relating to services for children and their families published onto this site please forward items to PAVO via email: info@pavo.org.uk. Preferably send attachments in Word or publisher rather than pdf format.

If you wish to have further information about anything appearing here please do contact PAVO via the HelpDesk email: info@pavo.org.uk or phone: 0845 009 3288

If any of the links to documents, surveys or other websites don't work please do let us know and we will try again.

See our Sister Blog: PAVO Powys Play Partnership -http://powysplaypartnership.blogspot.co.uk/


Wednesday 27 February 2013

PLAY WALES WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PLAY

please see the Powys Play Partnership blog at: http://powysplaypartnership.blogspot.co.uk/

PLAY WALES WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PLAY
United Nations adopts in-depth interpretation of ‘forgotten’ child’s right

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has adopted a General Comment that clarifies for governments worldwide the meaning and importance of Article 31 of the Convention on the Right of the Child.

A General Comment is an official statement that elaborates on the meaning of an aspect of the UNCRC that requires further interpretation or emphasis. The General Comment will define all elements of Article 31 and explain their importance in the growth and development of children and their impact on children’s overall wellbeing.

Article 31 ensures that ‘State Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities … and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.’

The General Comment will provide guidance to the governments of the 192 countries (States Parties) that are signatories.

The objectives of the General Comment are:
a) To enhance understanding of the importance of Article 31 for children’s well-being and development, and for the realisation of other rights in the Convention.
b) To provide interpretation to States parties with regard to the provisions, and consequent obligations, associated with Article 31.
c) To provide guidance on the legislative, judicial, administrative, social and
educational measures necessary to ensure its implementation for all children
without discrimination and on the basis of equality of opportunity.

FREE Training Working with Children with Special Needs


Last chance to BOOK! for FREE Training Course  - ‘Working with Children with Special Needs’ Sat 2nd March 2013
Following the postponement of the ‘Working with Children with Special Needs’ training course scheduled to take place on Sat 19th Jan 2013, I confirm that we still have a few places left on the new date for the training - Sat 2nd March 2013 at the Drama Centre.
Please let me know if you would like to reserve a place by calling  01597 824444 or 

Cylchlythyr Menter Brycheiniog a Maesyfed

Welcome to the March issue of our newsletter. Following many years of using the same format, this is the first issue using this new format and I'm sure it will develop over the coming months. We hope you like it!

This March is full of exciting activities and events, something for everyone. The choice includes comedy, drama, live music, Welsh speaking sessions for learners and a programme for parents to increase their confidence in speaking Welsh with their children.

For further information, read on:


Croeso i gylchlythyr mis Mawrth 2013. Yn dilyn sawl blwyddyn ar yr un fformat, dyma rifyn cyntaf o'n cylchlythyr ar ei newydd wedd. Gobeithio eich bod yn hoffi'r fformat newydd!

Mae mis Mawrth yn llawn dop o weithgareddau diddorol a chyffrous ar eich cyfer, rhywbeth at ddant pawb gan gychwyn gyda nifer o ddathliadau Gŵyl Ddewi. Mae'r dewis yn eang ac yn cynnwys comedi, drama, cerddoriaeth fyw, sesiynau sgwrsio ar gyfer dysgwyr a rhaglen i godi hyder rhieni i siarad Cymraeg gyda'u plant.

Felly darllenwch ymlaen am ragor o wybodaeth am yr holl weithgareddau.

Cylchlythyr mis Mawrth/March Newsletter

Thursday 21 February 2013

Feedback from Children & Young People's Partnership Officers Group February Meeting

The February meeting discussed the following agenda items:

Neighbourhood Management:
The county will be divided into 7 geographical areas for strategic planning purposes.  Data can be collected and stories behind the data will be gathered to help plan services.  A pilot in Newtown has already started and the CYPP with other Strategic Partnerships will monitor to see if any services changes the outcomes for the population in the area.

Family First Update
Some services have recently been commissioned including Counselling Services.  The outcome of the tender process for the Family & Behaviour Support Service will hopefully be known very soon.

The Joint Assessment Family Framework consists of:
(please refer to the Multi-Agency Integrated Working page for more information)

Common Assessment Framework
Local Resource Solution Panels
Team Around the Family
and Commissioned Services (Emotional Health & Wellbeing/Family & Behaviour Support/Substance Misuse)

Integrated Disability Service is at the implementation stage.

Social Services Annual Council Reporting Framework
This will take place on 21st March.  Partners are encouraged to attend.

Information Sharing
Government Ministers have written to local authorities and strategic partnerships encouraging leadership around "safely sharing information".  Look out for more information about this topic and how organisations can sign up to safe Information Sharing Protocols.

Estyn Update
An Action Plan has been submitted to Estyn.   Though educational achievements in Powys are relatively high there are concerns around the higher than average levels of exclusions and the number of children educated outside of schools.  Neighbourhood management approach will help to identify some of the issues.

PCC Budget Cuts
PAVO made partners aware of the cut of 75% to the Community Grant Scheme which will have wide implications for the sector and service users.


If you are interested in becoming more involved with the Children & Young People's Partnership please see the page "Becoming a Voluntary Sector Representative".

For further information on any of the items please contact us via the PAVO offices.




Results Based Accountability Introductory Training


In addition to the FREE training that PAVO are running on 28th February there is also an opportunity for those organisations working with CHILDREN & FAMILIES to attend this training which will be delivered by DAVID BURNBY who has had extensive experience of delivering training & using RBA.
This training will bring together organisations from across the Welsh Government regions of Powys, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire

PLEASE BOOK BY 1ST MARCH



SOUTH WEST & MID WALES CONSORTIUM
FAMILIES FIRST

INTRODUCTION TO RESULTS BASED ACCOUNTABILITY
One Day Workshop
26th March 2013
Halfway Inn, Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire
09:30 – 16:00

For more information about Results Based Accountability follow the Link

9.30am         Arrival and Registration / Tea, Coffee and Biscuits

09:45am       Welcome, Introductions and Context for working together

10.00am       An Introduction to Results Based Accountability

11.15am       Refreshment Break

11.30am       ‘Turning the Curve’ Group Work

12.30pm      ‘Turning the Curve’ Feedback

12.45pm      LUNCH

1.30pm        Measuring Improvement Introduction to Performance Accountability

2.00pm        Performance Accountability the Five Step Method

3.00pm        Refreshment Break

3.15pm         Performance Accountability Feedback

3.30pm         Putting It All Together

4.00pm         Evaluation and Observations

4.15pm         Close



Barnardo's & Action For Children research into Commissioning, Procurement & Collaborative Working


Beyond barriers’ is a project funded for two years through the Welsh Assembly’s Children and Families Organisation Grant is a collaborative piece of work undertaken by Action For Children and Barnardo’s. It aims to promote best practice in commissioning, procurement & collaborative working for children, young people & their families acrossWales.
         
This survey is the first step in researching the current commissioning, procurement and collaborative working landscape for public sector funders & third sector organisations across Wales. There will be further one to one  interviews and workshops in the coming months.

This research will identify existing barriers and gaps in and propose solutions for change.
Please complete this survey if you work within the third sector and have responsibility for, or some experience of, public services’ commissioning. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and will allow us to reflect a range of viewpoints within our final report.  All responses will be treated strictly in confidence and no organisation or individual will be identified in the report without permission.

Thank you for your time.


Prosiect dwy flynedd sy’n cael ei gynnal ar y cyd gan Gweithredu dros Blant a Barnardo's yw ‘Ar Draws Ffiniau’. Mae’n cael ei ariannu drwy Grant Mudiadau Plant a Theuluoedd Llywodraeth Cymru. Ei nod yw hybu arfer da wrth gomisiynu, caffael a chydweithio er budd plant, pobl ifanc a’u teuluoedd ledled Cymru.

Yr arolwg hwn yw’r cam cyntaf i ymchwilio'r cyd-destun comisiynu, caffael a chydweithio o safbwynt cyllidwyr y sector cyhoeddus a mudiadau’r trydydd sector ledled Cymru.  Bydd gweithdai a chyfweliadau un i un pellach yn cael eu cynnal yn y misoedd nesaf.

Bydd y gwaith ymchwil hwn yn nodi’r rhwystrau a’r bylchau sy’n bodoli ac yn cynnig atebion ar gyfer newid.

A fyddech cystal â chwblhau’r arolwg hwn os ydych chi’n gweithio yn y trydydd sector ac yn gyfrifol am gomisiynu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus neu'n meddu ar rywfaint o brofiad o hynny. Ni ddylai’r arolwg gymryd mwy na 15 munud i’w gwblhau, a bydd yn ein galluogi i ystyried amrywiaeth o safbwyntiau yn ein hadroddiad terfynol.  Bydd pob ymateb yn cael ei drin yn gwbl gyfrinachol ac ni fydd unrhyw unigolyn na mudiad yn cael ei enwi yn yr adroddiad heb ganiatad.

Diolch i chi am eich amser.




M Wms Jones

Meinir Williams Jones
Rheolwraig Gwasanaethau Plant/ Childrens Service Manager
Barnardo's

Feed into the Social Services Stakeholder Event NOW!

You will see that Social Services are holding their Annual Stakeholder event as part of their self-assessment process.

You will see the information provided in the previous post and are welcome to attend.  However, if you are unable be there PAVO staff will be attending, on behalf of the sector.

HOWEVER,  we need your feedback on the performance of Social Services to be effective.

Please let us have any case studies and/or comments from the service users you work with about the effectiveness of Social Services.

Please keep the identity of services users and families anonymous as we will not be taking up individual issues with Social Services.

You can use the link below to leave your feedback so that we can provide feedback.
CLICK HERE

Social Services: Engagement Event with Stakeholders


Powys County Council Social Services are now in their fourth year of the reporting regime for Social Services known as the Annual Council Reporting Framework (ACRF). This regime was in response to the Welsh Government’s decision to reform the way in which all Social Services are reviewed and inspected in Wales.

The Challenge event is part of the self-assessment process which is followed each year.  This event provides key stakeholders to feed in views and provide challenge to avoid the risk of untested assumptions and collective thinking which might lead to over-optimistic or over -pessimistic judgements.

Date: Thursday, 21st March 2013 

Venue: The Pavilion in Llandrindod Wells 

Time:  commencing at 10am (registration from 0930), finish at 1pm.

Please can you let Jackie Barnett, Principal Team Manager/Project Manager (ACRF) jackieb@powys.gov.uk know if you, or a representative of your Service, are able to attend.

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Involving 5 - 11 year olds in decision making with a tool kit of resources - Participation Young Spice training on 27 February in Newtown


Participation Young Spice (delivered by Dynamix)
 
Looking for fun and practical ways to engage 5 to 11 year olds - this training will offer a large toolkit of unique methods to help
make your time with the children much more effective - further details attached.
 
Wednesday 27 February 2013 (9.30am to 4.30 pm) Newtown Integrated Family Centre, Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown 
 
If you are interested in booking on this training, you can book via Trent or emailcypptraining@powys.gov.uk

Monday 18 February 2013

Powys Play Summit 2013 - BOOK NOW!!!


Powys Play Summit 2013
More Families Play More
Lets Play More

How do we work together to make sure more families can play more in your communities?
Why Play is important for your service:
Play improves outcomes for children & families
Play improves services by improving by relationships between staff/volunteers and those families
    being supported
Play improves joint working across all agencies by
   providing a focus and opportunity to join up in the
   best interest of families.
Powys Play Partnership aims to engage with a wide range of organisations/agencies working with families to plan, provide & support play

You are warmly invited to this event and welcome your opportunity to become involved with the developments of Play in Powys.
 Friday 8th March, Unit 30 Ddole Road ,
Llandrindod Wells,
LD1 6DF
10am - 12.30pm

OR
Friday 15th March, Hope Church,
Dolfor Road,
Newtown, SY16 1JD
10am-12.30pm
10am - 12.30pm

To book a place click here

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Young People & Public Transport - tell us what's needed


What stops young people from using public transport?  PAVO are looking to develop projects to increase the take up of public transport across the county by young people, especially those that may not have the confidence to use it. 

What are the suggestions from young people which would help them to use public transport more?
Pass on your top 3 suggestions along with:

a low cost/no cost ideas

and off the wall ideas

to PAVO so that we have some evidence of need and ideas on how to best support young people.

Use the link below to record your ideas:

Thursday 7 February 2013



Meet the Buyer : Tender Opportunity for Child Care Business Support
Thursday 14th February 2013

Meet the Buyer event 

Morning  - Venue The Sports Centre, Llandrindod Wells High School -
10am until 1pm

Agenda :- 

1. Strategic overview of the CYPP and Families First commissioning programme
2. Service Overviews - i Business Support   ii Referral Scheme
3. Procurement process and timetable
4. Market response - single or collaborative approach
5. Any further questions

Afternoon - Venue PAVO, Unit 30 Ddole Road, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6DF
2pm - 4pm

This meeting is for those looking to work in collaboration on a bid that PAVO will facilitate.
To book your place at this meeting (afternoon) please click here   booking form 





Monday 4 February 2013

Need Volunteer Leaders? Come along to the Future Makers Volunteering Expo



Future Makers Volunteering Expo
You are invited to Coleg Powys, Newtown 

Tuesday 5th March

this event is aimed at youth & sports organisations from throughout Powys to show what they do and to attract new member, leaders and volunteers
you are encouraged to bring information, displays and demo to showcase the benefits that young people can achieve by being a member or volunteer
if you would like to attend please fill in the enrolment form below

To Book a Place - use the link below to book online:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dDB4UHJTdVFvNk0wNzR5WndvVHF3WGc6MQ

Meet The Buyer: Tender Opportunity for Childcare Business Support

A Meet The Buyer will be held in Llandrindod Wells on Thurdsay 14th February in the morning to hear about the details of the forthcoming tender which will be advertised via etenderwales website.  This will be an opportunity to hear from commissioners what will be expected in the tender specification.

In the afternoon, PAVO will facilitate a meeting of organisations who may wish to consider working in partnership to put together a consortium bid drawing on the strengths of a number of organisations, adding value and benefiting from making the best use of resources.

If you are interested in attending and wish to have further details then please contact the PAVO helpdesk, in the first instance.






Friday 1 February 2013

Splash of Play in Caersws

Splash of Play in Caersws

Thanks to a grant from their Community Council, Play Montgomeryshire in collaboration with Play in Powys, will be running a "Splash of Play" session in Caersws Village Hall on Friday 15th February from 2 to 4 pm.

Activities will include making rain-makers, puppets and "tile art" snowflakes as well as cooking on an open fire in the park opposite. They will suit all ages and abilities as each child can work/play at their own level. There will also be toys to play with, dressing up and facepainting - all Free of Charge!

We recommend children attend in suitable clothing, especially to play outside. Children under eight years and those requiring additional support will need to attend with a responsible adult to help them gain most from the session. This is not a care, but a play provision.

A spokesperson for Play Montgomeryshire said "This is a new initiative in which two play providers are working together to provide a great and fun afternoon for the children of the Caersws area. Dyfodol Powys Futures project "Play in Powys" and Play Montgomeryshire are really pleased to be able to put on this event during the half term, and to be able to provide it free of charge. With sufficient funding we aim to put on more such projects all over Montgomeryshire".

If you want to know anything else about this event please phone Play Montgomeryshire on  01686 626713; or email admin@playmontgomeryshire.co.uk. Watch out for the Facebook page "Play Montgomeryshire" where there are updates of our activities and projects.

If you want to support Play Montgomeryshire or any of its projects please contact us. 

How to Tender Workshops in Powys

'How to Tender' Workshops in Powys / Gweithdai 'Sut i Dendro' ym Mhowys
We would like to invite you to one of our 'How To Tender' Workshops, which will be held at the following locations during February:
· Tuesday, 5th February 2013, Castle Hotel, Castle Square, Brecon LD3 9DB
· Thursday, 7th February 2013, Metropole Hotel, Temple Street, Llandrindod LD1 5DY
· Tuesday, 12th February 2013, Royal Oak Hotel, The Cross, Welshpool SY21 7DG
Business Wales are running 'How to Tender' Workshops aimed at providing practical advice and guidelines on successful tendering. The workshop takes a look at why a business should consider tendering; explains the stages and thresholds of procurement; includes a step-by-step guidance through a PQQ; and advice on writing, submitting and presenting a tender.
All of the workshops start at 9.00am and aim to finish with lunch at 1.00pm.
If you would like to join us at one of the workshops, please register by e-mail :eirian.daviesd@menterabusnes.co.uk; or call:  01970 636280. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Yours sincerely

Dafydd Guto Carrod
Business Wales

----------------
Gweithdai 'Sut i Dendro'
Hoffem eich gwahodd i weithdy 'Sut i Dendro' a gynhelir yn y lleoliadau canlynol:
· Dydd Mawrth, 5ed o Chwefror 2013, Gwesty’r Castell, Aberhonddu LD3 9DB
· Dydd Iau, 7fed o Chwefror 2013, Gwesty’r Metropole, Temple Street, Llandrindod LD1 5DY
· Dydd Mawrth, 12fed o Chwefror 2013, Gwesty’r Royal Oak, Y Trallwng, SY21 7DG
Mae Busnes Cymru yn rhedeg gweithdai 'Sut i Dendro' sydd an anelu at ddarparu cyngor ymarferol a chanllawiau ar gyfer tendro’n llwyddiannus. Mae’r gweithdai yn cymryd golwg ar pam ddylai busnes dendro; yn esbonio’r camau sy’n rhan o’r broses pwrcasu; yn cynnwys arweiniad gam-wrth-gam trwy’r holiadur PQQ; a sut i ysgrifennu a chyflwyno tendr.
Bydd y gweithdy hanner diwrnod yn cychwyn am 9:00yb ac yn gorffen am 1.00yp gyda chinio.
Os hoffech gofrestru am un o’r gweithdai uchod, cysylltwch gyda Eirian Davies areirian.davies@menterabusnes.co.uk neu trwy ffonio:  01970 636280. Gan taw nifer cyfyngedig o leoedd sydd ar gael, byddwn yn eu pennu ar sail y cyntaf i’r felin ...
Yn gywir

Dafydd Guto Carrod
Busnes Cymru

Play Wales Spirit Conference 2013


Play Wales Chwarae Cymru

Spirit conference 2013

- Workshops

Over two days at Spirit you will have the chance to participate in four workshop 

sessions - which means six hours of presentations from professionals working or 

researching in the field of play. This is an opportunity to learn, talk and share about exciting case studies and best practice guidance to use in your workplace. 

Every aspect of the conference can be used for CPD - attending keynote addresses, 

participating in workshops and networking with your peers.

• An inclusive play toolkit for your play provision

• Playworker interactions - being alongside the child - understanding the differences between interactions and interventions

• How to support children’s involvement through participation - unique and borrowed solutions

• Simply play - an effective online tool for play value assessment

• The affect of reading on play

• Parents as partners in play projects

• A playwork approach to research ethics and research design

• Build your own city - will it be heaven or hell?

• The uncertainty of junk - engaging with communities and working in the wider public realm

• The child’s right to play in schools

• Developing and managing play spaces toolkit

... and more to come!

Registered charity, no. 106892

Spirit 2013

Members £210.00
Non-members £230.00
Location:Holiday Inn, Cardiff
Date:14-05-2013
End Date:15-05-2013
Organiser:Play Wales
Now in its twelfth year Spirit is a two day conference filled with inspiring keynote speeches, lively discussions, practical workshops, great food and networking opportunities for playworkers, play professionals and anyone interested in children’s play.
We are delighted to confirm Professor Ken Worpole, one of the UK's most influential writers on landscape and public policy issues, and Tim Gill, one of the UK's leading thinkers on childhood, as keynote speakers. 
Topics will include: negative stereotyping, inclusion, play in schools, political developments, play characteristics, key developments, community projects.

Who should attend? 

New and experienced playworkers, play professionals, play therapists, students, staff and managers of play provision working in after school clubs, adventure playgrounds, integrated children's centres, youth services, anyone working face to face with children or with a responsibility for children's play.

Workshops

Over two days at Spirit you will have the chance to participate in four workshop sessions - which means six hours of presentations from professionals working or researching in the field of play. This is an opportunity to learn, talk and share about exciting case studies and best practice guidance to use in your workplace.
A great social evening after the first conference day is included in the delegate fee.

Early Bird Rates! 

EARLY BIRD DATE EXTENDED - book and pay for a place before 31 January 2012
 Members (in Wales)Non-members
Before 31 December 2012£210£230
1 January - 31 March 2013£230£250
1 April 2013 onwards £250£270

Booking 

To book your delegate place online please use the 'Book now' button at the bottom of this page. 
If you prefer to book your place by post or fax please download and complete our printable booking form

Feedback

Participants from previous Spirit conferences have said:
‘Thank you for yet another awesome play conference – one not to be missed’
‘My first time – I have really loved it – supported my passion for playwork’
‘After working in Wales for 12 years as a play professional I feel emotional and proud at the developments for children’s play in Wales’
‘Enjoyed all workshops immensely – all very different in delivery and format – food for thought and reflection’
‘A varied and thought provoking event’
‘Warm and friendly atmosphere’ 

Visit Play Wales website to book a place:

click here to take you directly to Play Wales