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 30 April 2014

Ysgol Haf Gymraeg/Welsh Summer School


Spirit 2014 - Book your place before the end of April for the best rate/ Ysbryd 2014 - Archebwch eich lle cyn diwedd mis Ebrill am y pris gorau

Book your place before the end of April for the best rate

Spirit 2014
Holiday Inn, Cardiff 14/15th May 2014


Why come to Spirit?

We have put together a programme of inspirational outstanding speakers interspersed with a range of creative, challenging and motivating workshops to refresh your practice.There is the opportunity over the two days to debate, discuss, create, network and increase your professional development so you will feel inspired to facilitate the best play opportunities for the children you work with.



Spirit Ride 2014


Hi All

Please see below a link to the Spirit Ride Facebook page as discussed at the last AWSPN meeting. Ben Tawil, Ben Greenaway, Dafydd Hughes, Myself and some other friends are riding from Holyhead to Cardiff to raise money for the Nick Waller Memorial Fund in memory of both Nick and Gill Evans. 

If any of you would like to support us by shaking buckets along the way, please let me know, it would be HUGELY appreciated.  I have attached planned times through the larger towns - thinking it’ll be Dolgellau and Machynlleth on the Monday and Rhayader, Builth, Brecon Merthyr, Pontypridd, Tongwynlais (where Gills family live), and Cardiff on the Tuesday. 

Many thanks
Martin
Martin King-Sheard
Principal Play Officer/ Prif Swyddog Chwarae
Community and Voluntary Support Conwy
Phone/Ffôn 01492 523841 (direct)/ 01492 534091

NEW ! Powys Volunteer Involvers Network




4th June 10.00 – 3.00
30 Ddole Road Industrial Estate / Ystâd Ddiwydiannol Heol Ddole
Llandrindod Wells



The Network has been formed to give Volunteer Involving Organisations across the County the chance to meet up, share information, listen to keynote speakers and share practices. 
Powys Volunteer Centre would like to work with the network to identify the support we could provide to meet your needs. We will also provide regular opportunities to share tips and experiences with other people who have responsibility for recruiting and managing volunteers.
We have been lucky enough to get Phil Fiander the new Acting Chair of WCVA to come along and speak about the future challenges of volunteering in Wales

Contact info@pavo.org.uk or 0845 009 3288

agenda attached Here

Integrated Training available

Please see details of training in Autism & Aspergers Syndrome, Stroke Awareness and Substance Misuse


Play for Wales Spring 2014 issue 42/Chwarae dros Gymru Gwanwyn 2014 rhifyn 42



Play for Wales
Spring 2014 issue 42
 
The Playing in the public realm issue includes:

  • Various news articles
  • The European Network of Child Friendly Cities
  • Child friendly city – Rotterdam
  • Wales – A Play Friendly Place
  • Commit to supporting quality staff
  • P3 level 3 – the latest
  • Playwork Approaches in Schools
  • Spirit 2014

Download magazine


Chwarae dros Gymru
Gwanwyn 2014 rhifyn 42

 Mae’r rhifyn Chwarae ar dir y cyhoedd yn cynnwys:

  • Amryw o erthyglau newyddion
  • Rhwydwaith Ewropeaidd o Ddinasoedd Plant-Gyfeillgar
  • Dinas Plant-Gyfeillgar – Rotterdam
  • Cymru – Gwlad Chwarae-Gyfeillgar
  • Ymrwymwch i Gefnogi Staff o Safon
  • Lefel 3 P3 – y diweddaraf
  • Agweddau Gwaith Chwarae mewn Ysgolion
  • Ysbryd 2014 

Lawrlwytho’r cylchgrawn

Welsh Government Recruitment




The Welsh Government has begun the search for the next Children’s Commissioner for Wales.

The successful applicant must be able to work effectively with children and young people, to represent their interests at local, national and international levels with a range of organisations.  For more information please  Click Here

Invitation to Visit to Adventure Playgrounds in Wrexham









VISIT TO ADVENTURE PLAYGROUNDS IN NORTH WALES
Coach trip to visit 3 Adventure playgrounds in Wrexham, Tuesday 20th May 2014


As part of an ongoing commitment to increasing, developing and sustaining quality play opportunities for all children and young people within Powys, you are cordially invited to join us on a visit to one of the most innovative, play friendly counties in Wales. We will be traveling, by coach, to Wrexham to meet the Local Authority Play Development Officer Mike Barclay and other key play staff members, and to visit three ground-breaking Adventure Playgrounds: The Venture which has been going for 30 years, Gwenfro which is smaller and established around 10 years ago, and The Land in Plas Madoc established last year. (Check out a videoforf The Land here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24751534)

An adventure playground is a place where children can build dens or treehouses, make campfires, dig gardens, stage water fights, play in the mud and rain. It is a place that children should be able to call their own - where they can direct their own play, be spontaneous, loud, dirty, messy, silly, and where they can test themselves out against their environment and other people. Wrexham have fully embraced this philosophy and are exemplar at supporting each child’s right to play.
Each Adventure Playground is different and each one raises some interesting discussion points on different ways of providing for play, managing risk and tackling issues of health and safety. It is widely documented that areas with increased play opportunities benefit from a reduction in crimes rates, higher community morale and increased standards of physical health and emotional wellbeing.
The visit is an opportunity for members of the Powys community to see first-hand how this type of play provision is managed and the possibilities that can be created around diverse Open Access play.
This day is targeted towards:
Key Decision Makers
Trustees
Directors
Heads & Managers of: Children’s, Young People’s & families services
Adult focussed services
Health services
Housing
Transport & planning services
Environmental services
Commissioning
Quality & performance Advisers
Policy Makers
Children’s Centres
Community Centres & Village Halls
Youth Workers
Chief Executives
Heads of Policy
Schools
Tourism businesses
Criminal Justice
Sports Clubs
Fire officers
Police officers
Road Safety officers
Arts & Culture
Playworkers, Play Leaders and Childcare workers
Parents
and anyone with an interest in developing play areas.

  • The Coach will leave Ysgol Trefonnen, Llandrindod Wells at 7.45am
  • We will make a stop in Newtown Coach Station near Radio Harfen at approximately 8.30. Please let us know if you wish to get on the bus here
  • 10.00-11.00 Arrive at The Venture and meet with Mike Barclay and Venture staff Millie or Jay
  • 11.00-12.00 Travel a short distance across Wrexham to Gwenfro Valley to meet with Colin
  • 12.00-1.00 Pub lunch and discussion with Wrexham staff members (We are, unfortunately, not able to include lunch in the day, please bring money for pub lunch or a packed lunch)
  • 1.30-2.30 Travel to Plas Madoc (The Land) to meet with Claire
We would need to be out of the last setting by 3ish as that is when the children arrive and staff are busy. We will arrive back in Llandrindod at approximately 5.15pm

Please respond and confirm your attendance. Confirmation is needed sooner rather than later so we can confirm numbers with the coach company.
Kind regards
Ben Webb
Manager/Development Officer

Play Radnor

Play Radnor/Chwarae Maesyfed
Radnorshire Play Network/Rhwydaith Chwarae Sir Maesyfed
Ysgol Trefonnen
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 6DF
01597 827920
E-mail/E-Bost: admin @playradnor.org.uk
Registered Charity No./Elusen Gofrestredig Rhif - 1021896



Service Provider Forum Meeting



Dear Service Provider Forum Member

Thank you to those who have confirmed attendance or sent apoologies for the meeting of the forum on Friday 9 May at 10am in the PAVO Conference Room, Llandrindod Wells. Please let me know if you're able to attend in order that we can make adequate arrangements.
We will be joined by the new commissioning manager for adult social care in Powys County Council, Lee Anderson. He is keen to meet as many third sector providers as possible.
Suggested agenda items are:
  1. One Powys Plan - getting involved
  2. Powys County Council Budget - impact on the third sector
  3. Mid Wales Healthcare Study - call for evidence
  4. Co-production - what is it and how do we do it?
  5. Powys Pennies - a local giving scheme for Powys employees.
If you have different or additional suggestions for the agenda, please forward them to me.
There will also be an opportunity after lunch to attend a short update session on Personal Information Sharing and Data Protection, for those who can stay. 
.
I look forward to seeing as many as possible at the meeting.

Cofion / Regards
Carl

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Training: Common Assessment Framework, Local Resource Solution Panel, Team Around the Family, Information Sharing

Don't forget that if you are working with children, young people and their families trustees, staff and volunteers need to be aware and know about how you can be involved in supporting families at the earliest opportunity.  This means families do not move towards crisis but are supported by all those agencies they come in contact with.

The training is FREE and ESSENTIAL for organisations working with children, young people and families.

Integrated Training Coming Up: Palliative Care, Learning Disabilities, Personal & Professional Bondaries



Free training available from the Integrated Social Care Training Brochure coming up on: Palliative Care, Learning Disabilities and Personal & Professional boundaries 

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Job Vacancies with Play Radnor

Post: Casual/Bank Play Workers required.
Terms: As and when needed during school holiday periods.
Location:  Trefonnen Community Centre, Llandrindod Wells,
Salary: £9 per hour
Closing Date:  16th May

Post: Play Ranger x 2
Terms: 1year from start date, subject to further funding
Location: Trefonnen Estate, Llandrindod Wells,
Salary: £10 per hour
Closing Date: 25th April


Preventing Bullying Behaviour Jigsaw Workshops



PREVENTING BULLYING BEHAVIOUR
JIGSAW WORKSHOPS

A Suite of Networking Events that Promotes a Shared Understanding of Bullying and Preventing Bullying Practices

  • Identifying and Understanding Bullying - Tuesday, 6 May 2014, Rogerstone
  • Prevention -  Tuesday,  1 July 2014, Carmarthen
  • Intervention & Support - Wednesday, 15 October 2014, Porthcawl
  • Attitudes - Wednesday, 11 February 2015, Llandudno
Registration - 9.30am - Close 3.30pm - Maximum Attendance 40

For more information please email:  bookings@childreninwales.org.uk

Wyeside Comedy Club support Play Radnor


Wyeside Comedy Club are supporting Play Radnor on Friday 9th May.
Join in the fun and support Play Radnor at the same time.  Further details and booking information below:


Childcare Business Support May's Train & Gain Event

 The next mini Train & Gain Event is to be held on Wednesady 21st May 2014, Castle Hotel, Brecon.

Read more for further information of support available at this event ....


Job Vacancy: JukeBox Collective, Cardiff, Business Development Officer

Untitled UserJob Vacancy for a Business Development Officer:

Hours: Full time (38 hours, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required)
Salary: £25,000
Location: Cardiff 
Closing Date: 2nd May (noon)

read more about Jukebox Collective and more details about the post ...

Welsh Accord on the Sharing of Personal Information: April 2014 Newsletter

WASPI has just produced it's April 2014 Newsletter.  You can access a copy via their website:  CLICK HERE
read more about WASPI .....

Wednesday 9 April 2014

There is still time to nominate your communities unsung Heroes !

Powys Volunteer Centre Volunteer Awards 2014
There is still time to nominate your communities unsung Heroes!
Powys Volunteer Centre is organising the 5th Volunteer of the Year Awards to honour exceptional volunteers in Powys.
“We all know incredible people — everyday heroes — who give of their time and talents to make our community a better place, many sports, leisure, social and community facilities are dependent on volunteers and without them, many crucial services in Powys would not exist” said Michele Muireasgha Head of Third Sector Development at PAVO
The awards evening will be held on Thursday 11th September at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells and all shortlisted nominees will receive special recognition at the event and the winners will be presented with an award.
So, nominate!
 If you know of someone who has given up his or her time to help others then why not nominate them for a Powys Volunteer of the Year Award?
 There are five categories of awards this year: Volunteer up to the age of 25, Volunteer between the age of 25 – 59, Volunteer age 60 upwards, Group and Outstanding contribution.  For a nomination form you can contact PAVO on 01597 822191 email: info@pavo.org.uk or download from www.pavo.org.uk.  The deadline for nominations is May 5 2014.  

Monday 7 April 2014

Children & Young People: Training Available April - September 2014

To access FREE  training:

email: cypptraining@powys.gov.uk or tel:  01597 827331/7576

Form more information on the following courses, and other courses refer to the Full Integrated Training Brochure 2014-2015:  www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=8661&L=0

Please download details of relevant training from the Children & Young People's Partnership, which includes:

Common Assessment Framework, Local Resource Solution Panels & Team Around the Family - essential for the early identification of support needs for families.  Every organisation working with children and young people should be accessing this.

Information Sharing to Support Integrated Working - sits alongside the above helping organisations work together effectively to support families.

Challenging Behaviour - working with children and young people

Car Seat Safety Training

Disability Awareness Workshop

Introductory to Home-Based Childcare Services

Incredible Years Programme

Child Protection - Foundation - another essential training module for those working with children and young people.

Other Training is also available.
English: HERE
Cymraeg: YMA

Parenting Support Mapping - What is being delivered in Wales, Children in Wales & Welsh Government Exercise




Dear colleague,

Children in Wales are supporting Welsh Government to carry out a mapping exercise of Parenting Support delivered in Wales, by circulating this request for information from Welsh Government.

By carrying out this exercise we (W.G) will be able to identify parenting interventions and parenting programmes used within Wales. We are already gathering information on what is being delivered via our funded programmes e.g. Families First and Flying Start. However, to gain a full picture we need to see what is being delivered by the third sector. To ensure that we do not double count interventions please only provide details of interventions delivered that are not funded by the Welsh Government and its funded programmes

Parenting Support services/interventions/programmes are included in the mapping exercise if they meet the following criteria: 
  • are aimed at parents, or parents and children, but NOT those focusing on children alone;
  • are for parents with 'children' in the age range of antenatal period to 18 years;
  • aim to strengthen parenting capacity and reduce risks;
  • enhance parenting skills;
  • improve parent-child relationships and parent-parent relationships;
  • strengthen parents' understanding and develop positive attitudes;
  • increase parents' confidence in their parenting role; and
  • increase parents' confidence and skills in providing a positive home learning environment and/or engagement in their child's education.

I would be grateful if you would complete the attached excel spreadsheet for the Parenting Support interventions that you are delivering by Friday 25th April 2014, and return tohannah.sharp@childreninwales.org.uk.

To assist the completion of the proforma, the definitions of the parenting classifications are detailed below:

Evidence-based, group-based Structured Parenting Programmes
Evidence-based, group-based Structured Parenting Programmes are defined as those that are underpinned by a strong research evidence base, which demonstrates improved outcomes for children and families.  They should have a set start and end date and be closed to new entrants once started.  For example: Incredible Years Programme, Strengthening Families Programme

Informal Structured Group-based Parenting Support
Informal structured courses are defined as those with a structured curriculum and a set number of group-based sessions. They should have a set start and end date and be closed to new entrants once started.  For example: MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!),

Informal drop-in Support
Informal drop-in sessions are one-off events or a weekly session that families can join whenever they choose.  For example: Stay and Play sessions, fun days.

One-to-one support
One-to-one visits can be used to make initial contact with parents, make assessments, build relationships, encourage engagement and offer top up sessions. They can also be used to deliver structured evidence based parenting programmes such as NBAS (Neonatal Brazelton Assessment Scale), and Parenting Positively can also be delivered one-to-one in the home.

If you need any further information on completing the spreadsheet please contact Nicola Field at Welsh Government Nicola.Field@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Many thanks

Lynne
Lynne Hill
Policy Director/Cyfarwyddwr Polisi

Play Radnor Trustees Wanted




 TRUSTEES WANTED


Play Radnor
Ysgol Trefonnen
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 5EP
01597 827920

Registered Charity Number: 1021896
We are focused on emotional and physical wellbeing, enabling children and young people have the freedom and opportunity to experiment and develop future life skills whilst having fun.

Play Radnor is committed to the development of play opportunities across the Radnorshire area, aiming to ensure that all children and young people have the chance to engage in recreational, play and leisure activities.
We also have further opportunities to help
shape the future of Play Radnor with openings 
or a Treasurer and Secretary

Play Radnor is seeking to recruit additional trustees 
(voluntary). We are looking for 
dynamic and motivated people who 
sympathise with the aims of the organisation 
and who can give commitment 
and time to help us grow. 


Expressions of interest must be received in advance of the Play Radnor AGM on Wed 30th April at 6.30


For more information please contact Play Radnor.






Play Montgomeryshire: Stay and Play in Newtown




Stay and Play in Newtown

Play Montgomeryshire will be joining up with Newtown Library to celebrate Easter and Spring on Monday 14th April from 10am to 12 noon and Thursday 24th April from 1.30 to 3.30pm, in Newtown Library. The Library Staff will be reading stories to the children and Play Montgomeryshire will be running a Stay and Play session for children of all ages afterwards.

The Stay and Play sessions will involve a wide range of interesting and challenging craft activities, plus toys to play with and join in with their friends. Activities include Bunny Baskets, Easter placemats, Bottle grass heads and masks.

There will also be the regular Play Montgomeryshire last Saturday of the month craft session from 10.30 to 12 from 26th April onwards.

We are hoping to be able to return to the community room to play, but we may not have the full range of toys to hire out, however members (membership is free of charge) may buy craft materials to do their own crafts over the holidays.

All children are welcome to join us at these sessions in the Newtown Library - there will be something for all ages. Parents need to stay with their children as this is an Open Access provision.

For more information please phone 01686 626713, email admin@playmontgomeryshire.co.uk


Download a copy of the Flyer HERE

Thursday 3 April 2014

Research Project into Experiences of Adaptations (Disabled Facilities Grant) Application Process

Cardiff University, with Shelter Cymru and Contact a Family Cymru, is seeking the views of families who have looked into our experienced the adaptation process (disabled facilities grant). This could be as a past or current applicant, successful or unsuccessful. The research will provide a picture of what is happening and will assess whether you think anything in the process should change.

For more information in English and Welsh please see the leaflets 



If you are interested in taking part or someone who is, please contact us by Friday 4th April 2014:

Tel: 02920 396624

Job Vacancy: Scrappy Dappy Dooer, Llandrindod Wells





 



Play Radnor
Registered Charity Number: 1021896

Play Radnor wish to appoint a
SCRAPPY DAPPY DOOER
AKA Scrapstore Project Development Manager
 


The Project Development Manager will work alongside existing Play Radnor staff to plan, launch, manage and support the pilot Scrapstore initiative within Radnorshire for the purposes of furthering children and young people’s access to play resources.

Term of Employment:        Initial 6 month period with potential extension subject to future funding.

Place of work:                      Trefonnen Community Centre, Llandrindod Wells

Salary:                            £9 per hour

Hours of work:                14 hours per week, hours to be agreed.

 Deadline for applications: Friday 18th April

 For more information or for an application form, please contact Play Radnor

Ysgol TrefonnenLlandrindod Wells                                           PowysLD1 5EP 01597 827920 www.playradnor.org.uk admin@playradnor.org.uk


Update from NSPCC Newsletter

An update from the NSPCC

Welcome to the latest issue of our regular newsletter for anyone working to safeguard children.

This edition of the newsletter comes out in the week of our annual conference How Safe Are Our Children?, the most comprehensive overview of child protection in the UK. It sees the launch of the 2014 report, which compiles the most robust and up-to-date child protection data that exists across each of the four nations in the UK. Read on to find out more about the report’s key learnings, as well some of our services for professionals which could help address some of the issues we report.

What's in this issue?
How Safe Are Our Children? Key messages from the report
NSPCC e-learning - Child protection: an introduction
Parents under pressure: stepping in early
Join in our How Safe? discussion
 
If you'd like to talk to us about how the NSPCC can support you, please get in touch by calling 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. 

Find out more

How Safe Are Our Children? Key messages from the reportNSPCC e-learning - Child protection: an introduction
How Safe Are Our Children? Key messages from the reporte-learning from the NSPCC: understanding child protection
For every child on a protection plan with social services, we estimate there are another eight who have experienced abuse or neglect. With diminishing resources, children’s social services have to ration their support and have now become an emergency service - stepping in only when the need is most severe. Not only does this mean that many children do not receive the help they need, it also means there are fewer resources left for early help or preventative work.

Read more Watch our How Safe? animation
As our findings from our How Safe? report suggest, child protection is not just the preserve of children’s social care, but also the wide range of professionals and volunteers who come into contact with children and families through different services. More children can be protected from harm before problems escalate if we all understand the role we can play in the child protection system. The NSPCC will be launching its e-learning Child Protection: An Introduction course on 14th April, helping users to develop or refresh their awareness and understanding of safeguarding and child protection.

Register your interest
Parents under pressure: stepping in earlyJoin our How Safe? discussion
Dramatic rise in cyberbullying: ChildLine review of 2012/13Online safety checklists: what parents can do to keep children safe
One of the messages from the How Safe? report is how early intervention and prevention hold the key to protecting more children. Through ourParents Under Pressure service, we want to tackle and reduce the harm caused when parents misuse alcohol or take drugs - as early as possible in children's lives. The 20 week home visiting programme helps parents in drug or alcohol treatment develop positive and secure relationships with their baby or toddler.

More information for professionals, including how to make a referral
Our Child Protection Professional Practiceforum on LinkedIn is for all professionals with a responsibility to safeguard children.  You will find like-minded peers posting questions and sharing information about child protection practice, as well as posts generated by the NSPCC.  Please do join the group and share your views.  This week, in relation to our How Safe? report, we have been asking ‘Social services an emergency service: How can we work better together?'

Join in the discussion
Are you worried about a child?
Advice and support whenever you need it:
Call: 0808 800 5000
Text: 88858
Cruelty to children must stop. FULL STOP. NSPCC
Cruelty to children must stop. FULL STOP. NSPCC

Images are posed by models. 

For enquiries please email help@nspcc.org.uk or call 0808 800 5000. 

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. 
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