Eurodesk UK have launched a Call to join them in promoting international opportunities to young people.
They want to hear from individuals with experience in the youth sector, who are passionate about working, studying or volunteering abroad, to sign up as a Eurodesk UK Ambassador.
The Eurodesk network covers 36 countries and more than 1100 information points, so it is a great way to build links. Other benefits include promotion on the website and social media; invitation to seminars and training; online support; and supplies of promotional materials.
To apply, there is a short form to complete, and the deadline is 6 April 2020.
The Conference was intended to pay tribute to the value of youth work practitioners – those paid and unpaid experts in the field who deliver absolutely vital work day in, day out on behalf of and with young people across the whole of Wales.
But practitioners aren’t just for Conferences…they’re every day, forever.
Practitioners need to be supported
It’s one thing to say we treasure them but practitioners need support in many ways to enable them to carry out their roles to the best of their abilities.
From investing in workforce development equitably across the whole sector to ensuring access to learning opportunities and reflective practice to their emotional wellbeing and mental health to celebrating their immensely positive impact on young people and their communities of Wales to having their voices heard and acted upon, practitioners deserve to be supported.
Working together creates positive results
It was wonderful to see so many non-youth work stallholders enjoyably engaged in learning about youth work and for our sector to find out more about the myriad opportunities which exist ‘out there’
Potential partnerships abound
Building on last year’s significant investment, the Minister again identified £10M in the budget for 2020/21 Youth Support Grant, which is hugely welcome and provides a real platform for meaningful partnerships
Clearly, the challenge now is for the whole sector to deliver a truly collaborative programme of youth work services which meets the needs of young people across Wales.
Momentum is key
It is really important to acknowledge the incredible pace and intelligence at which the members of the Interim Youth Work Board, Welsh Government officials and the sector has been working to establish the Youth Work Strategy for Wales and its subsequent implementation.
As it builds, the momentum needs to ensure that it doesn’t leave in its slipstream those parts of the sector which are unable to engage as readily as it would like due to a lack of capacity, time, resources or knowledge. It’s critical that the whole sector moves forward together and doesn’t leave anyone behind.
It’s good to talk! (and to listen)
Keith Towler, Kirsty Williams, Workshops, Professional Practice Talks, World Café…Empowering…Expressive…Inclusive…Participative…Educative
Wonderful to witness 360 people talking, listening and thinking about youth work. The talents, abilities and camaraderie on display were a sight to behold.
The Education Workforce Council (EWC), in partnership with ETS Wales, has been commissioned by the Welsh Government to deliver and develop the nationally recognised Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales until January 2023.
The Quality Mark badge of excellence assures young people, their parents, guardians, funders, partner organisations and other organisations of high quality youth work provision.
Hayden Llewellyn, EWC Chief Executive said: “In Wales, we are undergoing a period of major education reform, and high quality youth work provision plays a crucial role in this.
“We look forward to developing the Quality Mark alongside ETS Wales and other partners to ensure this provision delivers the appropriate support to young people in Wales to improve their life chances.”
Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams AM said: “The Quality Mark is an important tool to help youth work organisations really raise the bar for the important work they do.
“I look forward to seeing the new contract build on the momentum of the successful Quality Mark and ensure this reflects the vision set out in our Youth Work Strategy for Wales.”
ETS Wales Chair, Steve Drowley added: “The Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales is one of the key foundations of good quality work with young people.
“We’re delighted to be part of the process for ensuring young people have a voice, are properly supported by well trained and qualified youth workers, and benefit from a wide range of opportunities through voluntary and maintained youth work services.”
Since 2015, 17 youth work organisations in Wales have achieved the Quality Mark. As the new awarding body the EWC will work with these organisations and the sector as a whole to develop and grow the Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales.
The Curriculum for Wales guidance aims to help each school develop its own curriculum, enabling their learners to develop towards the four purposes of the curriculum – the starting point and aspiration for every child and young person in Wales.
This guidance will also be relevant for funded non-maintained nursery settings, pupil referral units (PRUs) and those responsible for the provision of education other than at school (EOTAS) in other settings, enabling them to develop an understanding of the Curriculum for Wales Framework (Framework).
This year’s National Youth Work conference has been developed by the Youth Work Marketing and Communications Group.
It is aimed firmly at youth work practitioners. You will have the opportunity to hear directly from the Minister of Education on her priorities for youth work in Wales as well as update from Keith Towler on the work of the Interim Youth Work Board.
Primarily though, the Conference is designed to support your professional learning and to provide the opportunity for networking with your peers.
Reducing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), preventing alcohol and substance misuse, and improving education and training opportunities are some key ways to help prevent suicide in Welsh children and young people.
A new review, published by Public Health Wales and Swansea University, examines the deaths of all children and young people in Wales who died by suicide between 2013 and 2017. A number of themes were identified which should be targets for preventing these terrible tragedies in the future.
There is evidence from across the UK of an increase in deaths by suicide in young people since 2010. Combining a number of sources, the review sought to identify the factors related to suicide in 10-18 year olds in Wales.
The review examines 33 cases of children and young people who took their own lives. Some of the issues surrounding these suicides included substance misuse; poverty; sexual abuse and assault; bereavement; shame; difficulties in education, employment or training; and lack of awareness around self-harm.
The review notes there is rarely a single reason why a child or young person takes his/her own life. It’s usually due to a variety risk factors, circumstances and adverse experiences. Despite this, suicide is potentially preventable.
The review identifies six key opportunities for suicide prevention in children and young people. These are:
Prevention of alcohol and substance misuse. Including ongoing action to restrict the access of children and young people to alcohol, along with the full implementation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance to prevent substance misuse.
Mitigation of ACEs. Including continued interventions for children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences such as sexual abuse, sexual assault or domestic violence. This should also include greater engagement with safeguarding boards to raise awareness of the importance of protecting children from the effects of domestic violence and sexual abuse to prevent suicide and self-harm.
Management of self-harm. Including full implementation of the NICE guidance for the management of self-harm relating to children and young people.
Raising the age of participation in education, employment or training. Including an exploration of support mechanisms to ensure children and young people between the ages of 16 and 18 are supported in education, employment or training; including work-based training.
Better information sharing. Including an exploration of how information can be shared between non-state education settings, such as private schools, and state services.
Better knowledge and awareness of self-harm and other risk factors for suicide. Including an exploration of evidence-based ways of increasing knowledge and awareness of self-harm and other risk factors for suicide, safety planning, help seeking and accessing services, as well as tackling stigma.
The Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust is Open to Receive Application from LOCAL Groups Seeking Funding.
The Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust was established through an agreement between the Millennium Stadium and the Millennium Commission and its income is generated through a levy on every ticket purchased by people attending public events at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The Trust strives to enrich the quality of life in Welsh communities by investing in inspirational sporting, arts, environmental and community-based projects that will have a lasting impression on the people who will benefit.
The Trust achieves this by issuing grants to voluntary and charitable organisations throughout Wales.
The Closing date for receiving Local Applications is noon on 10.01.2020 Trustees will meet 19.03.2020
Applicants may apply for up to £2,500.00 for grants where the projects remit will serve their local community or town.
Qualifications Wales have launched the Qualified for the Future consultation.
It will be looking at the kind of qualifications needed for the new curriculum.
Their vision is that 16-year-olds in Wales take globally respected qualifications that inspire and prepare them for life, learning and work – and they want to know what you think!
You can find all the details by following this link:
After the passing of the Votes at 16 legislation last week we wrote an article about the big news on the European Youth Portal!
The Senedd and Elections Bill proposes to:
lower the voting age to 16 for Assembly elections;
change the name of the Assembly to ‘Senedd Cymru’ or the ‘Welsh Parliament’
provide for Members to be known as ‘Aelodau o’r Senedd’ or ‘Members of the Senedd’;
extend the right to vote to qualifying foreign citizens.
41 of the 60 Assembly Members voted in favour of the Bill, which is the biggest change to the Welsh democratic process in 60 years, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, in 1959.
This amazing change means that 70,000 teenagers will get the vote from 2021 and also gives voting rights to 33,000 foreign nationals! It also means that from the 6th of May 2020 our assembly will be renamed Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament as part of the changes.
Labour, Welsh Government ministers and Plaid Cymru all backed the bill, but the Conservatives and the Brexit Party opposed it.
Commenting on the momentous decision the Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones said:
“This was a vote to empower our young people to participate in the democratic process by extending the vote to 16 and 17 year olds – a move which, for some, is long overdue.
This Bill, in my view, will create a more inclusive, diverse and effective Senedd, and will strengthen our democracy for the twenty first Century. One that will give our legislature a name which is a true reflection of its constitutional status and improves public understanding of the Senedd’s responsibilities. And one that will bring new energy to our democratic process.
I am pleased that Wales has taken this important step to strengthen the foundations of our parliamentary democracy, a move that future generations will thank us for.”
Awareness and Engagement Event (North Wales) for Organisations that can help to support the delivery of the New Curriculum in Wales
You are invited to attend a workshop to update you on the development of the new draft curriculum for Wales 2022 and to consider how other organisations can support delivery of the new curriculum in schools.
You will also have the opportunity to hear about some examples of good practice. Please share the information with your wider network.
The workshop will be held at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno, LL30 1AP on 11 December 2019 and will start at 10:00am and finish at 14:00pm.
