Transition Institute Regional Spin-out Camp: North West (Manchester)

This is the first of a series of three that will be held throughout the year. Come along to an inspiring and informative day, a neutral space to explore some of the most current debates and issues in public service reform. The event is aimed at both practitioners and commissioners who are delivering and procuring public services respectively.

The event is taking place on Thursday the 29th March, 9.30am – 15.00pm at the lovely offices of Hempsons Solicitors in Manchester, at Portland Tower, Portland Street, M1 3LF (venue map can be found here)

The programme consists of an interactive, action-packed day of three practical workshops that are being delivered by experts in the field:

• Building a viable Business: lead by Justine Andrew, Business Development Director at KPMG
• Innovation in delivery models: lead by Vicki Sellick, Programme Leader at The Young Foundation
• Legal issues (covering issues such as governance and TUPE): lead by Ian Hempseed, Partner at Hempsons Solicitors

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A New Approach to Mental Health: Improving Outcomes for All – Manchester Conference

22nd March 2012, Manchester Conference Centre

• Nearly a quarter of disability in the UK is caused through mental ill health and treatment is the single most expensive cost to the NHS.

• ‘No Health without Mental Health’ sets out the cross-government strategy that aims to mainstream mental health in England and improve standards of care, support and treatment.

• Are you involved with the challenges and changes faced by implementing the Mental Health Strategy?

• How can we drive up standards in services and improve the overall mental health of the nation?

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Consultation Event for the Voluntary & Community Sector Infrastructure in Manchester

Macc

There are two separate consultation events. You may wish to attend one or both.

Description of event:

MACC would like to invite you to a special voluntary sector consultation.  These events have been arranged throughout the city, over a number of days, to look at the development and changes to Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure in Manchester.

Macc’s role in the voluntary sector is evolving. As part of that we have committed to reviewing the management, governance and structure of Macc but above all to consult with the local sector about the kinds of support and activities you want us to run.  We are now in a position to start this process however; we don’t want this to be a one-off exercise: it’s an ongoing dialogue. Our vision is that the consultation should be owned by and accountable to the local sector but we need your help.  Please attend a session and let us know what you want from us now and in the future.  

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Youth Fund Commissioning Process: Round 2 now open

Manchester City Council have just announced the second round of commissioning for youth services in the city. Following the first round of commissioning in July 2011, the council are now seeking to commission further services for young people aged 10-19 for the period of 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.

The commissioning team says: ”The second round of funding is being jointly commissioned by Neighbourhood Services and Children’s Services and … Continue Reading

ACEVO produce report calling for rehabilitation reform

ACEVO, the association of voluntary sector leaders, recently produced a report encouraging the government to implement a more progressive rehabilitation agenda.

The report looks at current issues within the prison and criminal justice system, such as the high rates of re-offending, the difficulties of re-integrating offenders into society, and the challenges posed by the process of tendering and commissioning for rehabilitation services. The report makes a number of recommendations, such as:

- Redeploying resources to focus more on rehabilitating offenders

- Putting support in place to ensure that prisoners are ‘set up’ with access to … Continue Reading

Service delivery opportunity – respond by 23rd Jan 2012

We are currently preparing tender proposals for the delivery of 2 major projects. We are seeking expressions of interest from organisations interested in working with us.

1.       The first project is around dementia and targeted around the North West. Expressions of interest particularly welcome from those organisations working with BME groups, older people and disability groups.

2.       The second project is potentially UK wide centred around digital inclusion.

If you are interested in working with us, please email Lynne Bonnett, lbonnett@digitaloutreach.org.uk by Monday 23 January

Tracker Spend Analysis – turn insight into opportunity

National Survey of TUPE Regulations Effectiveness (NCVO reserach)

The impact of liabilities for staff transfer when public service contracts are won or lost can be dramatic.

The Regulations that govern this (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)) are complex and implemented in wildly different ways.

We here numerous stories about the costs and repercussions of taking on or transferring over staff with contracts. But now we need to get solid evidence on a national level to present our case for change to government.

Along with ACEVO, NAVCA, Social Enterprise UK and others, we’re surveying the whole voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to find out:

• How TUPE Regulations affect you
• What changes you want to see

Why now?

We’re feeding this information into a wider Government survey run by the Department for Business, Skills and Innovation. We want to collect the data first though so we can a) provide you with better support b) make sure the sector is represented collectively.

Our survey closes on 20th January 2012 and we’ll then present the anonymousevidence direct to Government, as well as sharing the findings with you all.

What you need to do

Firstly, if you don’t understand TUPE, read our factsheet.

COMMISSIONING OF ACCOMMODATION SERVICES FOR CARE LEAVERS IN LEEDS

PROVIDER EVENT TO BE HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 7^TH DECEMBER 2011, 1.30 TO 4.30

AT THE WEST PARK CENTRE, SPEN LANE, LEEDS

REGISTRATION FROM 1.00 PM

Read more here 7th December Event Flyer

NEW Directions and maps to West Park Centre

Local partnership opportunities with DWP – closing date 1st November 2011

Jobcentre Plus Districts now have more discretion to design, influence and deliver services to help customers move off benefits and into employment sooner than would otherwise be possible. District Managers will continue to engage with local public and voluntary organisations, particularly where this joins up collective efforts and stimulates solutions for improving employment and skills.

Opportunities available to support 16 – 24 year olds, and ESA and IB claimants back into employment.

Click here