preventing child neglect - bvsc · with the big lottery fund which has also allocated £1m to...
TRANSCRIPT
SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE AND PARENTAL RIGHTSElizabeth Scholes explains the new Shared Parental Leave rules and parental rights / 16
THE CRANFIELD TRUSTStrengthen your organisation, but don’t do it alone, says Hayley Cartwright / 14
THE LADYWOOD PROJECTA one stop shop for family and individual support needs in Ladywood for 28 years / 12
THE SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTANCYHelping young offenders make a fresh start, removing barriers to employment / 7
STANDING UP FOR BIRMINGHAMChamberlain Award category rewards projects which put people in control / 6
SUPPORT FOR DISABLED CHILDRENNew Life Foundation helps get the grants where they’re needed most / 5
PREVENTING CHILD NEGLECTNSPCC and Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board team up / 10
all things voluntary & community in Birmingham
November 2014 241
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138 Digbeth | Birmingham | B5 6DRt 0121 678 8817 f 0121 643 4541 e [email protected]
www.bvsc.org/conferencing
Versatile, central, excellent value.BVSC Enterprises is a social enterprise that offers versatile and modern facilities right in the centre of Birmingham. Our conference centre is the ideal place to hold all types of meetings, events, training and seminars.
As a social enterprise we offer excellent value for money and all profits are re-invested into the facilities and in to the work that BVSC does with the local community in Birmingham.
� Convenient city centre location, only minutes from New Street and Moor Street stations and public car parking adjacent
� Eight air conditioned rooms with capacities from 2-170 delegates
� All rooms fully accessible and disabled parking on-site
� Free WiFi, projection screen and white board in every room
� Variety of catering options including: working lunches; hot buffets; drinks and canapés receptions
� As a social enterprise – part of a leading Birmingham charity, BVSC – we re-invest all our profits to support the local community in Birmingham.
[3]
Strengthen your organisation with The Cranfield Trust
14
The Ladywood Project: 28 years as one stop shop for support
12
Elizabeth Scholes explains Shared Parental Leave
16
Preventing child neglect: NSPCC and BSCB team up
10
November 2014 / 241 update
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Update is published ten times each year by BVSC
© BVSC 2014All rights reserved
Editorial, advertising and subscriptions
Helen Cobain0121 678 8830
Design Cuthbert Design
www.cuthbertdesign.com
Printing Pinstripe Print Group
www.pinstripegroup.co.uk
DistributionPA Publishing Co.
01527 540909
Circulation 1,400 (October 2014)
Cover photo© D13 / Shutterstock.com |
Library image posed by model
Views and opinions expressed in Update are those of the individual
authors and not necessarily those of BVSC. BVSC is in no
way responsible for and does not endorse goods or services
supplied by organisations which advertise in Update.
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council Ltd (BVSC) is a registered
charity (no. 218795) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 421688).
Reflecting the breadth of the sectorThis month’s eclectic mix of news, information, features, funding opportunities and advice just goes to demonstrate the size and breadth of the voluntary sector itself.
Turning to children, recent figures revealed that more than half of people in Birmingham would be reluctant to voice concerns about child neglect for fear of making a mistake. As a result the NSPCC and Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board have together launched a ‘Help’ campaign to provide information and reassurance (page 10).
Find out about the Ladywood Project (page 12), a community-led organisation that has been providing essential support to residents for the last 28 years. Since experiencing severe cuts to their council funding, the project is developing new ways of working to sustain services in the longer term.
Finally, if your organisation is looking for management support in a particular business area such as strategy development, marketing or financial performance, find out how The Cranfield Trust can help. They match organisations with highly skilled business volunteers who can bring a fresh perspective to finding business solutions.
Helen Cobain / [email protected]
Update is available in PDF format at www.bvsc.org/update-magazine
If you would like a large type version call 0121 643 4343 or email [email protected]
NEWS
FEATURES
FEATURES
SECTOR ADVERTS 18
PLUS...
The Small Business Consultancy: helping young offenders
9
Standing Up For Birmingham and the Chamberlain Awards
8
www.bvsc.org
Homeshare tackles housing 42 December – Giving Tuesday 4South Asian LGBT advocacy 4Support for women offenders 5Reporting hate crime 5Selly Oak Play Scheme 6Neighbourhood planning 6Foodshare food collections 6Asbestos Support 7
More help for disabled children from New Life Foundation
5
DISABLED PEOPLEGrow Wild grants to help transform neglected city sites
7
ENVIRONMENTBirmingham Museums Trust: new funds for local history collection
4
LOCAL HISTORY
SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
Recent figures revealed that more than half of people in Birmingham would be reluctant to voice concerns about child neglect for fear of making a mistake.”
138 Digbeth | Birmingham | B5 6DRt 0121 678 8817 f 0121 643 4541 e [email protected]
www.bvsc.org/conferencing
Versatile, central, excellent value.BVSC Enterprises is a social enterprise that offers versatile and modern facilities right in the centre of Birmingham. Our conference centre is the ideal place to hold all types of meetings, events, training and seminars.
As a social enterprise we offer excellent value for money and all profits are re-invested into the facilities and in to the work that BVSC does with the local community in Birmingham.
� Convenient city centre location, only minutes from New Street and Moor Street stations and public car parking adjacent
� Eight air conditioned rooms with capacities from 2-170 delegates
� All rooms fully accessible and disabled parking on-site
� Free WiFi, projection screen and white board in every room
� Variety of catering options including: working lunches; hot buffets; drinks and canapés receptions
� As a social enterprise – part of a leading Birmingham charity, BVSC – we re-invest all our profits to support the local community in Birmingham.
[4] update 241 / November 2014
NEWS
Birmingham Museums Trust has been awarded almost £400,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve its local history collection.
The £398,000 funding will help to pay for two new roles to carry out a unique collecting project with local community groups as part of its Representing Birmingham scheme.
Dr Ellen McAdam, director of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “This is a very important award for us, and we are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project will support Birmingham Museums in engaging with groups and individuals to collect objects that have meaning for them.
“Birmingham has the most diverse population in Europe, and we want to reflect this in our museums.
“We are putting the people of Birmingham in the driving seat – they will decide what we collect to tell their history to future generations.”
Collecting Birmingham will add to Birmingham Museums’ local history collection with items that tell stories about people growing up, living and working in Birmingham.
The project will focus on four local areas: Aston, Soho, Nechells and Ladywood. The museum aims to work with local community groups including faith groups, local societies, special interest groups, schools, care homes and businesses to identify objects to be acquired and displayed, with support from expert advisers.
The funding will also support two new positions at the museum; a Collecting Cultures Curator and Outreach Officer post. Recruitment for these two new posts will start this year, with a view to starting the collections process in 2015.
Birmingham Museums Trust manages the city’s internationally significant museum collection and historic venues on behalf of Birmingham City Council.
The city’s collection is displayed and stored at Aston Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Blakesley Hall, Museums Collections Centre, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Sarehole Mill, Soho House, Thinktank and Weoley Castle ruins.
Birmingham Museums Trust: www.bmag.org.uk
Homeshare from Lloyds Bank FoundationLloyds Bank Foundation has announced an investment of £1m to establish a new partnership programme that seeks to demonstrate that Homeshare can be an effective, achievable and economical way of meeting housing and support needs and to pave the way for rolling it out in more communities in the UK.
Homeshare is an initiative which brings together older people who need support to stay in their homes, with younger people by providing them with an affordable place to live in return for companionship and low level practical support.
Lloyds Bank Foundation is developing this initiative with the Big Lottery Fund which has also allocated £1m to support the pilot phase of the programme.
The programme will involve a unique range of partners including Age UK, working with householders, the Foyer Federation, working with homesharers, and Shared Lives Plus who have produced a free best practice guide to establishing and running a good Homeshare scheme.
The programme will support a number of Homeshare pilot developments and undertake testing and evaluation of the model to prove it is a sustainable and effective response to the twin challenges of high housing costs and an ageing population.
Both parties participating in the scheme are given guidance and support throughout the arrangement to help deal with any concerns that may arise and to ensure the success of the match. In return, each pays a fee to cover the costs of the scheme and to allow for more people to be recruited and matches established.
A free guide has been developed by Shared Lives Plus drawing from the experience and best practice of existing Homeshare schemes to explain how a scheme should be set up and operated.
Homeshare, Lloyds Bank Foundation: [email protected] / www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk
Citizen Advocacy South Birmingham Area (CASBA) has received £82,247 for its Safer Life, Safer Future project to be delivered across South Birmingham.
CASBA will provide a frontline advocacy service as part of a vital community safety net for 80 adults with learning disabilities who are being abused, at risk of abuse, socially isolated, without support or in crisis.
Citizen Advocacy South Birmingham Area: www.advocacyatcasba.org
Have you heard about #GivingTuesday? It’s happening on Tuesday 2 December and it’s a global day of giving.
After the sales of Black Friday and the online shopping boom on Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is an opportunity to come together to show the world why it’s good to give. Whether it’s making a donation, volunteering your time or just spreading the word at the start of the Christmas shopping season, #GivingTuesday is a call to action for everyone who wants to give something back.
Giving Tuesday: www.givingtuesday.org
New local history collectionLOCAL HISTORY
This is a very important
award for us, and we are
very grateful to the Heritage
Lottery Fund. The project will support Birmingham Museums in
engaging with
groups and individuals
to collect objects
that have meaning
for them.”Dr Ellen McAdam,
director of Birmingham Museums Trust
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2 December 2014 is Giving Tuesday, global day of giving VOLUNTEERING & FUNDRAISING
South Asian LGBT finding a voice EQUALITY
Giving Tuesday is an
opportunity to come together
to show the world why
it’s good to give.”
HOUSING
November 2014 / 241 update [5]
NEWS
Support for women offendersWomen in Birmingham recently released from prison or serving community sentences will benefit from a Reaching Communities Award announced by the Big Lottery Fund.
The Fairlight Trust has received £100,633 for a support and mentor co-ordinator worker, based in Birmingham, who will provide personalised support to vulnerable women who have recently been released from prison and who are finding it hard to adapt to life outside.
The ambition is to help the women with issues such as substance abuse, self-harm and domestic violence, break the cycle of re-offending and support them to maintain tenancies.
The project will also offer out of hours support at times of personal crisis, when historically a proportion of the most vulnerable women have sabotaged their recovery, due to lack of support at evenings and weekends, when they feel most isolated and vulnerable.
After an initial period of settlement and specialist support, women will also be matched to volunteer mentors who will introduce them to local clubs, societies and Children’s Centres. Mentors will also connect women with support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Do you know someone in Birmingham with a disabled child who struggles to get the specialist equipment support they need?
If so, a new community outreach project could provide a helping hand and make a real difference to their everyday lives. Reaching Out is a two-year support programme from national charities Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and Include Me TOO, with backing from the Big Lottery Fund.
A £91,000 Big Lottery grant will be used to help break down the barriers which prevent families of disabled and terminally ill children from accessing the support they need, when they need it.
Outreach support workers from Include Me TOO will be working with local groups and communities in Birmingham – particularly those from black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds – to make more families aware of the specialist help available through Midlands-based Newlife Foundation’s equipment services.
Newlife offers equipment grants to provide vital disability equipment such as wheelchairs, beds and buggies, car seats, stair climbers, walking and standing frames,
Stop Hate UK has joined forces with Birmingham City Council and its partners on the board of the Crime and Community Safety Partnership to tackle hate crime and encourage its reporting.
The Stop Hate UK Hate Line will provide support to people affected by hate crime and offer an alternative way of reporting incidents that support local policy and strategy.
Stop Hate UK is a national charity that provides independent and confidential support to people who are affected by all forms of hate crime.
The first Stop Hate Line was set up in 2006 following the publication of the Macpherson report, which reported on the enquiry into the handling of the death of Stephen Lawrence. The report stated that victims and witnesses should be able to report hate Incidents 24 hours a day and to someone other than the police.
Mike Lowe, the appointed community representative on the Crime and Community Safety Partnership board, said: “I am proud to champion the introduction of Stop Hate UK into Birmingham. It is a clear message to all that Birmingham takes hate crime seriously, for when communities are confidently united against hate, we can prevent people from being victims in the future.”
The Stop Hate Line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by phone, text and email. The helpline can support people targeted because of any aspect of their identity, including disability, gender identity, race, religion and sexual diversity.
Stop Hate Line: 0800 138 1625 / text 07717 989 025 / [email protected] | Stop Hate UK: www.stophateuk.org/
portable hoists and communication aids. In 2013/14 Newlife funded 117 equipment grants in the West Midlands totalling £192,808 and made grants of £2,088,105 UK-wide.
All Newlife Foundation services – which are free – are accessed via the Newlife Nurse Helpline.
Newlife Nurse Helpline: 0800 902 0095 (freephone) / [email protected] | New Life Foundation: www.newlifecharity.co.uk
Reporting hate crimeCRIMINAL JUSTICE
Reaching out to families of disabled childrenDISABLED PEOPLE
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Newlife offers equipment grants to provide vital disability equipment.”
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
[6] update 241 / November 2014
NEWS
Selly Oak Play Scheme is a community volunteering group which has been part of the University of Birmingham for 35 years, hosting free and fun play schemes for children aged between 3-11 years old.
The play scheme is held in the Underground at the University of Birmingham’s, Guild of Students every Sunday during term time between 11am-1pm. The committee of the group consists of five University students who all dedicate their time to planning lively and enjoyable sessions each week, along with a great handful of volunteers who help with running them also.
Each weekly play scheme runs a wide array of activities which all link to a specific theme, with the Autumn term sessions seeing activities linked to Halloween, Bonfire night, the jungle, underwater, advent and winter wonderland. A wide range of toys and games are available, along with arts and crafts which enables all children to have lots of opportunities to enjoy themselves! In addition to all of this, there are local trips around Birmingham for the children, with the first trip of the academic year being at Birmingham Sea Life Centre.
The play scheme is completely free for children to attend and it is not compulsory for them to attend every week. All of the committee and volunteers have a DBS disclosure which enables them to work with children and they have also completed child protection training.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is offering funding for local groups in England to organise and run a neighbourhood planning workshop in their community.
As part of the two-year £10.5m Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning Programme, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is offering funding for local groups and organisations in England that wish to host an event which encourages new communities to formally embark on neighbourhood planning.
The funding is available for local groups and organisations that are producing a Neighbourhood Plan or Neighbourhood Development (as prescribed under the Localism Act 2011) in England.
Local groups in England can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to run a neighbourhood planning workshop in their community. The workshop must be run by knowledgeable
and enthusiastic advocate of neighbourhood planning, with the aim of giving a community the information they need to begin the neighbourhood planning process.
The funding is aimed especially for areas that have a low take up of neighbourhood planning, and meetings should be able to attract at least 10 communities.
The applicant and workshop organiser must be a constituted body with experience of or a strong interest in neighbourhood planning. This could include local planning authorities, town and parish councils, county association of local councils, and university planning schools. Groups already undertaking a neighbourhood plan, local community organisations and charities can also apply.
Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Funding: www.mycommunityrights.org.uk/ neighbourhood-planning/apply/ Neighbourhood
FoodShareFoodShare are running a Neighbourhood Food Collection this November, taking place in Tesco stores across the UK from 27-29 November.
FareShare fights hunger and its underlying causes, redistributing surplus food that would otherwise go to waste to over 1,290 charities across the UK. Most of the food redistributed is surplus from the food and drink industry and the Tesco Neighbourhood Food Collection gives FareShare the chance to access longer life food like pasta, tinned veg and tea and coffee, which is less readily available.
If you are interested in being involved either volunteering to support the Neighbourhood Food Collection or would like to donate some food, you can find out more information on their website.
Foodshare: www.fareshare.org.uk/ register
35 years of Selly Oak Play SchemeCHILDREN’S PLAY
The play scheme offers a great opportunity for children to socialise with other children, gain new skills and have a great time, whilst also giving parents a little rest!
If you are interested for your child to attend, please drop us an email.
Selly Oak Play Scheme: [email protected]
Neighbourhood planningNEIGHBOURHOODS
Local groups in
England can apply for
grants of up to £2,000
to run a neighbourhood
planning workshop
in their community.”
The play scheme offers
a great opportunity for children to socialise with other
children, gain new skills and
have a great time, whilst
also giving parents a
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POVERTY
November 2014 / 241 update [7]
NEWS
Local community groups wishing to bring people together to transform neglected and uninspiring community sites into spaces which everyone can enjoy have until 2 December 2014 to apply for funding for projects starting in March 2015.
Supported by funding from the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, Grow Wild is a four-year programme that aims to bring together community members, especially young people, to transform disused, unloved, neglected or uninspiring sites into a place that is attractive and useful by planting and sowing wild flowers, plants and trees that are native to the UK.
Grow Wild is looking to fund at least 60 community projects in 2015 across the UK. Grants of between £1,000 and £4,000 are available for planting projects that start in March and finish by October 2015. The total spend must equal £1,000, £2,500 or £4,000. The grants will be paid in full at the start of the project. Match funding is not required.
The funding can be used to cover costs specifically related to the Grow Wild project and can be used for materials, plants and seeds, and any volunteer costs. The Grow Wild Team likes to develop a close relationship with groups that receive funding. In addition to the funding, the team offers training and support in promoting the funded projects.
Applications will be accepted from voluntary, community and youth groups, charities, constituted not-for-profit groups, parish, town and community councils, and secondary schools since the focus is on people aged 12 to 25 years.
The deadline for applications is 2 December 2014 (midnight)
and successful groups will be notified in February 2015.
Grow Wild’s partners are Groundwork UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and greenspace Scotland and Youth Scotland.
Grow Wild: www.growwilduk.com
Grow Wild grants for neglected sitesENVIRONMENT
Asbestos Support West Midlands is a project of the West Midlands Hazards Trust charity. It provides free and confidential advice, support and information to people and their families who are affected by asbestos-related diseases.
Everyone in our sector knows that delivering services on a long term basis can only be done if you achieve sustainable funding. These days that means obtaining funding from a diverse range of sources, be they statutory, charitable or supporter generated.
Doug Jewell, project worker at Asbestos Support West Midlands, explained, “Most of the time this seems to involve long, sleepless nights. You try crafting the perfect bid for a funder whose set of criteria
seems to have been designed to trap Harry Houdini. The morning light may creep into your room but inspiration refuses to follow.
“On other occasions raising funds can be an absolute delight, everyone has a fantastic time and the only problem is who to thank first. I am happy to say that the sixth annual Asbestos Support Astounding quiz night fitted neatly into this category.
“Eight teams lined up to compete on 22 October and the brilliant master of ceremonies was BVSC’s own Rob Heath. With questions ranging through the subjects of sport, general knowledge, music, TV, films and cartoons everyone’s ‘little grey cells’ were given a workout.
“People had a great evening, and special thanks have to go to
the BVSC staff for this, especially Emma and Dainius, who worked so hard to make it a success. Their efforts were greatly appreciated, especially by those participants who had been directly affected by an asbestos related disease. Sometimes fundraising can feel like a never ending chore. The quiz night proved it can be fun and help to fulfil a group’s aims and objectives.”
Refreshments and raffle prizes were all donated by local businesses and supporters, so the £500 plus raised will all be used to fund the charity’s services.
Asbestos Support West Midlands: www.asbestossupportwm.org
Asbestos Support raises vital fundsHEALTH
Grow Wild is looking to fund at least 60 community projects in 2015.”
On other occasions raising funds can be an absolute delight, everyone has a fantastic time and the only problem is who to thank first.”
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[8] update 241 / November 2014
SPOTLIGHT
Standing Up For Birmingham – which promotes the idea of communities taking ownership of local service delivery and tailoring it to meet local needs – has been honoured by Birmingham City Council, with one of its annual Chamberlain Awards bearing the campaign’s name for the first time this year.
The Chamberlain Awards are the council’s annual acknowledgement of outstanding achievement in the workplace. Prizes are usually awarded to a council team or individual, but the Standing Up For Birmingham (SU4Brum) 'gong' will be awarded jointly for a partnership with a community group, social enterprise, small business or citizen in recognition of the co-production projects that are becoming a bigger feature of city life.
The three finalists for the Standing Up For Birmingham Chamberlain Award are:
� New Heights Community Project and Birmingham City Council’s Erdington District Team: For establishing an innovative and collaborative hub in the heart of Kingstanding and securing more than £2.5 million in external funding to improve the lives of Birmingham people in need (see opposite).
� Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Executive Team: For the development and delivery of funding submissions for the Local Growth Fund – supporting investment, job creation, skills and education programmes, and housing needs across Birmingham and the wider region.
� Selly Oak Scaffolding Support Programme: For enabling and empowering community groups to provide local services previously managed by Birmingham City Council, through practical workshops which have led to the establishment of the Brandwood Time Bank and a local community development trust.
The overall winner will be announced at the Chamberlain Awards ceremony on 7 November. Visit the Chamberlain Awards website to find out who won.
Chamberlain Awards: www.chamberlainawards.co.uk
Local people see this project
as an anchor that holds the
community together.”
“Local people see this project as an anchor that holds the community together,” said Kingstanding councillor Peter Kane about New Heights Community Project, which has grown over the past ten years from a small volunteer group to an award-winning hub with 37 providers and more than 100 volunteers.
Already in receipt of a Prime Minister’s Big Society Award in 2013 and the Queen’s Award for outstanding voluntary contribution in 2014, the project has now been shortlisted for the Birmingham City Council Standing Up For Birmingham Chamberlain Award.
From its beginnings, New Heights worked closely with the council, benefiting from the expertise of business development officer Karen Spence and the Erdington District team. The partnership came about in response to high levels of antisocial behaviour locally, and originally worked with vulnerable young people at risk of offending.
Since then, both the New Heights hub and Interface Café have become a lifeline for many Kingstanding residents, with youth clubs, training and employment help, health and wellbeing services, domestic abuse counselling, bereavement support, free legal advice, lunch clubs for older people, support for parents and play groups all available.
Elyn Marie Hunt credits New Heights with turning her life around after the sudden death of her husband. Still in her 20s, Elyn’s husband was killed in a road accident leaving her with a small baby to care for on her own. She also found herself homeless soon after his death.
Staff at New Heights helped find Elyn accommodation and encouraged her to start volunteering for them and gain qualifications in administration. Since then she has been taken on in a part-time, paid role.
Elyn says: “New Heights is not just a project. It is a home to many people where love, tolerance and kindness flow. From someone who lost everything, including confidence and trust, I have acquired skills ready to take on the life challenges ahead.”
New Heights Community Project: www.new-heights.org.uk
New Heights sets its sights on neighbourhood togetherness
New Heights is not just a project.
It is a home to many people
where love, tolerance and
kindness flow.”
November 2014 / 241 update [9]
SPOTLIGHT
The Small Business Consultancy (TSBC) is a social enterprise and registered charity that supports people who are furthest removed from the labour market to become successful and thrive through progressing toward employment and self-employment. The organisation has been built with a vision to create an enterprising and entrepreneurial society where nothing holds people back from becoming successful and achieving something out of life.
TSBC works in partnership with Youth Offending Teams in a multi-agency approach, helping to change lives and futures for the better. TSBC has various programmes that support young people from 16 to 30 into further education, employment and enterprise. All the programmes, from Progress 2 Success or Breaking the Cycle placements, have helped to support many young people across the Midlands and in London.
If you would like to find out more about TSBC and its programmes, then please contact Russel or Charlotte at The Small Business Consultancy.
The Small Business Consultancy: Russel - [email protected] or Charlotte - [email protected] / www. tsbccic.org.uk
Connar’s story...“I got in trouble with the police last year and as a consequence of this many of my family and friends turned against me, leaving me feeling extremely isolated and low and experiencing suicidal thoughts. “I appeared at court and they instructed me to work with the North Youth Offending Team, recognising that I had genuinely wanted help and support.
“My worker helped me identify all the areas that were contributing to my low mood and devised a plan so that we could target each issue. With the support of the youth offending team, new accommodation was located for me. The accommodation has supportive staff that work there who are helping me to develop independent living skills.
“Before committing my offence I was employed by Birmingham City Council on an apprenticeship. Unfortunately, due to the offence, the Council let me go and I was having difficulty finding another course. I was offered the employability course, P2S, delivered by TSBC by its local enterprise and employment worker. This one-to-one support developed my confidence and desire to complete a rapid English programme, which improved my skills and learning. I then went on to Fairbridge and have gained qualifications through my participation in the scheme.
“This multi-agency work involved me undertaking reparation for the benefit of the community. After completing these hours, I continued to work voluntarily at a local charity shop, gaining new skills, plus enjoying giving something back to the community.
“My past and present have changed positively. Where I was once isolated, with housing issues and lacking confidence – no more! All of the support from the The Small Business Consultancy, the youth offending team and the other agencies has helped me to make a positive contribution back to society. My future is brighter and my lifelong learning continues thanks to the multi-agency approach.”
The Small Business Consultancy is
helping young offenders
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[10] update 241 / November 2014
SPOTLIGHT
40% of adults in Birmingham, surveyed by YouGov, said they would be worried about not having substantial proof or enough information.2
Half said that if they were worried about a child being neglected, they would only speak to a professional for help and advice if they were “fairly certain” that a child was being neglected, with nearly a fifth (17%) saying they would only speak to a professional if they were completely certain.3 This is a situation they probably would never be in.
These findings are reflected by further NSPCC data, which shows that three quarters of contacts to the charity’s helpline over the last three years from people in Birmingham about neglect were already so serious or contained crucial information, that they had to be immediately referred to the police or social services.4
Don’t waitThe ‘Help’ campaign is asking people in Birmingham to put aside their concerns that they might be making a mistake and seek help and advice straight away if they are worried about a child, before the situation becomes serious. This is because neglect is far easier to stop when it is caught early and most families can be supported to turn around their problems. But longer term neglect can cause lifelong issues and is far harder to tackle.
People are being urged to contact the free, 24 hour NSPCC helpline if they, or someone they know, is struggling to cope and needs a helping hand. The NSPCC can advise them in supporting their own family and others or can refer them for professional help from Birmingham services.
The complex nature of neglect means that the problems often go undetected or unreported. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of neglect, to help people recognise when they, or someone they know, might need help and support.
Since 2010, neglect has been the reason for over a third of child protection plans in Birmingham and the city isn’t alone in this – neglect is the most common reason for a child to be the subject of a child protection plan or on a child protection register in the UK. An NSPCC study found that almost one in 10 young adults (9%) in the UK were severely neglected by parents or guardians during childhood.
What is neglect? Neglect is when a parent or carer doesn’t meet the basic needs of their children. This may mean that their children don’t regularly get the essential things they need to keep them happy, safe and well – food and water, cleanliness, a safe place to live, adequate clothing, medical care, play, education and love and affection.
Neglect can have devastating consequences for a child's physical, emotional and social development, leaving them more vulnerable to other forms of abuse.
See our link to a helpful guide to neglect at the end of this article, including information about what neglect is, what children and young people need, and how to recognise the signs.
Alongside this, until March 2015, community activities involving local parents to highlight the help available for families and a programme of activity for professionals, building upon existing work in the city to support them to tackle neglect, will be delivered.
A young city with high levels of povertyJane Held, Independent Chair of Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board, said: “Birmingham is a large and vibrant city and is home to approximately 287,000 children under the age of 19, one of the youngest populations of any European city. It is also a city with areas of significant deprivation with only six of the 40 wards in the city having fewer children living in poverty than the national average.
“Most families, including families living in poverty parent their children very well, often despite the odds, but many find poverty the final straw. We know that parents want to care for their children well, but many face problems with domestic violence, mental illness, drugs and alcohol misuse, with homelessness, unemployment, and debt and struggle to care for themselves, no matter for their children.
“All the partners on the board are working together to develop better more extensive ‘early help and family support’ services so that help can be given earlier. Social workers know that early help will reduce the need for them to intervene and families prefer to get help early rather than face state intervention."
A Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) and NSPCC campaign to help prevent child neglect in Birmingham launched in October, as figures revealed that half of people in the city wouldn't speak to a professional for help and advice when they first noticed a child was being neglected, because they were worried about making a mistake.1
The ‘Help’ campaign is
asking people to put aside
concerns that they might
be making a mistake and
seek help and advice straight
away if they are worried
about a child.”
1. Survey figures, unless otherwise stated, are from
YouGov plc. Total sample size was 402 adults. Fieldwork was
undertaken 26 September to 1 October 2014. The survey was carried out online. The
figures have been weighted and are representative of all
Birmingham adults (aged 18+). 201 out of 402 respondents
(50%) said they wouldn’t speak to a professional for help and
advice when they first noticed a child was being neglected,
because they were worried about making a mistake.
2. 161 of 402 respondents (40%) said they would be worried
about not having substantial proof or enough information.
3. 202 of 402 respondents (50%) said they would only speak to a professional for
help and advice if they were fairly certain that a child
was being neglected, with 69 (17%) saying they would
speak to a professional if they were completely certain.
4. Over the last three years (April 2011 to March 2014)
the NSPCC helpline received 3,005 contacts from people concerned about a child in Birmingham. Of this figure,
860 were about neglect and 650 were so serious they
were immediately referred to the relevant authorities.
[11]November 2014 / 241 update
SPOTLIGHT
Sandra McNair, NSPCC Midlands Regional Head of Services for children and families, said: “Neglect is a very complex issue and we know being a parent isn’t always easy. Families need help when problems first arise, before neglect becomes entrenched, and that’s why this campaign is all about helping people to recognise the signs and seek support straight away either for themselves, a neighbour or friend, or someone in the community they are worried about.
“At the NSPCC, we believe every childhood is worth fighting for. That’s why I urge anybody who has concerns about a child to put their anxieties aside about speaking to a professional and contact the NSPCC helpline for help and advice. Letting our team of experienced child protection counsellors listen to your concerns about a child will never be a mistake – they have the knowledge and experience to decide if a child is being neglected and how to help if they are. You can be anonymous, too. Just a few minutes of your time to talk through your worries, could make a positive difference to a child for the rest of their life.”
If you, or someone you know, needs help, or if you are concerned about a child, contact the free, 24 hour, NSPCC helpline.
NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 / text 88858 / [email protected]
Support for children and young people: 0800 1111 / www.childline.org.uk
A guide to neglect: www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/neglect ©
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[12] update 241 / November 2014
The Ladywood Project is a small community-led organisation that acts as a one-stop shop for its local residents by providing family or individual support, whether financial, emotional, health related or social. The services are guided by the local community and are often responses to an ever changing political and economic climate which effects everyone's lives but more so those with little or no income.
The project is situated within the health and community centre in the heart of an area of social housing in Ladywood. The project's physical space includes a well equipped kitchen with cooker and washing machine, a comfortable seating area where residents can sit and chat, a small garden where children can play with their parents throughout the summer months and interview rooms where residents can talk confidentially with staff or advisors about the things that trouble them.
For many years the service was funded wholly by Birmingham City Council, but in October 2013 the majority of council funding was withdrawn, resulting in the development worker and community worker being made redundant. The council now funds just one member of staff, Gerardine Giblin, a qualified social worker and long standing member of staff attached to the project. There is also a part time family and children's worker, Caron Hallahan, who now relies on grant funding to sustain her post in the long term.
As a result of the funding cuts the project's advisory board decided to
apply for charitable status and this was granted in November 2013. A board has been formed and trustees include members of the local community, the voluntary co-ordinator of the credit union and a benefits advisor.
The project has existed as an organisation to help families and individuals for the last 28 years and has become a well known and trusted part of the local community.
Gerardine explained, “For working families and those on benefits these are still difficult times. We know that the 45% of children in this ward are living in poverty and this figure is 24% higher than the national average. Therefore many of our initiatives are designed to ease the burden of low income and the consequences that poverty brings.”
The project's work and servicesHere's a flavour of what the Ladywood Project's work involves:
� Drop in sessions: These twice weekly sessions are the heart of the project as they give staff the opportunity to learn what participants are struggling with. Parents and their children meet and socialise over a cup of tea or coffee and access advice and help, make friends, find out what is going on in the community and take part in activities.
� Money advice: A money advice service was introduced in the spring of 2013 and was very well used, providing evidence that there was a need for a more permanent advice service in the area. Subsequently a joint bid by Central Food Bank and Karis secured funding from Tudor Trust to cover an advisor for 21 hours a week with admin support. In just the first quarter the service saw 150 individual clients and dealt with 490 separate enquiries.
� Fuel poverty: For a number of years the project has raised grant funding to help individuals and
families in greatest need to meet their fuel costs. Families who are referred for a grant will receive a credit of between £5 to £40 which is added to their key/card rather than paying them in cash.
� Children’s lunches: Many children are given free lunches during the school term, so when it comes to the holidays parents often struggle with the additional cost. Therefore the project will provide a two course meal for children at the community centre canteen three days a week for five weeks of the school break.
� School uniforms: Grants typically of between £30 and £50 are awarded to parents who are referred to the project to purchase school uniforms.
� Wrigglers stay and play: Weekly sessions that include arts and crafts, cooking, music time, singing, painting and general fun for the 0-4s and their parents.
� Fruit and veg packs: The project takes orders from residents for bags of fruit, salad and vegetables which is supplied locally by a greengrocer at a cost of £3.50. With a grant from Wragge & Co it has been possible to sell these on at a cost of only £2. The mixed bags have been very popular over the summer and represent great value for money and encourage healthy eating.
� Leisure and trips: The project runs a regular programme of activities as well as one off special events for families and children so that they can enjoy some fun time together and with the rest of their community.
� Community lunches: Once a month, the community gets together for a community lunch cooked by one of the parents for around 25 people. Over the years some wonderful dishes have been shared originating from all parts of the world.
SPOTLIGHT
For working families
and those on benefits
these are still difficult
times. We know that the 45% of
children in this ward are living
in poverty.”
[13]November 2014 / 241 update
What's next?The newly acquired charity status sees the Ladywood Project entering a new phase. The major challenge will be to raise the monies to meet the bills, pay staff and build on everything that has been achieved so far. At this time of cuts and austerity there has never been a greater need for the services, so the project will need to rely more heavily on its dedicated team of volunteers, more grant funding and business and personal donations.
Mary, a project participant and now a volunteer explains why the project is so important to her and fellow residents of Ladywood.
“I have been attending the Ladywood Project for a very long time. Through the years it has been a social and emotional support. Now in retirement, I am able to give back the support that they have given me over the years. I am always there when the project is open. I attend committee meetings, help with fundraising, clean and tidy, welcome newcomers and offer them refreshments.
“Many of us lack family support and we find the project a replacement for the support we sadly lack. Over the last year we have lost staff members due to government cuts so I have stepped
SPOTLIGHT
up my support. We all have a really good rapport and we value dearly the lovely community spirit which we would not want to lose.
“The support – be it advice, or a chat over a cup of tea to off-load – stops a build up of emotions. We want the success of the project to continue for many years.”
Gerardine or Caron, The Ladywood Project: 464 8630. If you wish to help, find The Ladywood project on MyDonate and make a donation.
We all have a really good rapport and we value dearly the lovely community spirit which we would not want to lose.”
[14] update 241 / November 2014
SPOTLIGHT
The private sector frequently brings in external skills and support to strengthen their companies, but often charities and voluntary sector organisations struggle through many challenges alone, writes HAYLEY CARTWRIGHT of The Cranfield Trust.
Chief executives can feel isolated and under pressure, facing the never-ending balancing act of supporting vulnerable people while working to secure income from funders and the public sector who themselves have reduced budgets. Whether it is competing against price-cutting commercial sector service providers for social welfare service contracts with local government, or competing against large numbers of other voluntary groups for grant funding, the underfunded and overstretched majority of charities are struggling for survival.
However effectively voluntary organisations operate, no organisation can have all the skills and experience it needs to navigate the current climate of uncertainty and change, in its own team, in-house, all the time.
Elizabeth Coe, chief executive of the National Association of Child Contact centres says, “Take any help you can, if you want the health of the organisation to grow. No one has got all the skills needed to run an organisation.”
Where to get support?The Cranfield Trust provides free business skills to voluntary
sector organisations working to address the effects of poverty, disability and social exclusion. We are a national charity with local delivery thanks to our network of 750 business-skilled volunteers who act as advisors and mentors to chief executives and boards.
Our West Midlands Project Manager, Hayley Cartwright, listens to charities’ requests and learns about their needs for support. Working side by side, together they decide how best to tackle management problems, and prepare a detailed ‘project scope’, describing the tasks to be done. Hayley then matches the charity with a high-skilled business volunteer with the right skills for the job, based locally to the charity. This personal match contributes to the project success and strong working relationship between client charity and volunteer consultant. Over 80% of our volunteers stay in touch with their charity client after the project has ended. Indeed, some are invited to be trustees and continue their working relationship with the charity for many years.
The most frequently requested projects in the Birmingham area are in charity governance, strategy development, business planning, and marketing, though support is also available in financial management, performance and impact and people management. Charities can expect between five and nine days of consultancy time over several months, with their volunteer consultants acting as advisers, working alongside chief executives and boards.
Cranfield Trust volunteer consultant Paul Corcoran, Commercial Director for DeltaRail, worked with the National Association of Child Contact Centres. “As a social worker, I’ve managed budgets for
STRENGTHEN YOUR ORGANISATION,
BUT DON’T DO IT ALONE!
years, but there are some things I’m not so good at,” says NACCC chief executive Elizabeth. “Getting help from someone more focused and strategic was wonderful.”
What’s the catch?There isn’t one! The Cranfield Trust is supported by trusts, family foundations and sector bodies which means our management services are free to charities. Local funders include The Barrow Cadbury Trust and the Four Acre Trust.
The Cranfield Trust is a people organisation – we love to talk to charities. We understand that sometimes it is hard to know what help you need when there are so many competing demands. Get in touch and we’ll help you through it.
Request support from the Cranfield Trust We are keen to ensure that every project is a success. When thinking about support and where you might need help, consider these top tips:
� Pick one of your top three issues to work with us on – we know how stretched organisations are, so let us help you with the ones that are keeping you awake at night.
� Be open to new ideas and ready to accept support – working with someone else is enjoyable and challenging. After they have learnt what you and your organisation do, listen to them and try out new ideas.
� Own the project – the more you drive the project, the better results you will achieve and the greater value you will get from your volunteer.
� Make space – working with anyone new takes time. Make
Getting help from someone
more focused and
strategic was wonderful.”
November 2014 / 241 update [15]
SPOTLIGHT
sure you have the headroom to take on a project that will take you away from fire-fighting.
� Communicate – keep your volunteer and Project Manager up to speed with what’s happening in the organisation. The more they understand, the better the result and more committed they will be.
� Start with the end in mind – the best projects are the ones where the charity is focused on the topic because they know the impact it will have on them, their organisation and their beneficiaries.
The Cranfield Trust: 01794 830338/ [email protected] / [email protected] / www.cranfieldtrust.org @CranfieldTrust
When a charity knows where they need support and the right volunteer starts to work with them, amazing things can happen. The charity gets the help they need and boards are often in better shape as a result. All the volunteers I work with enjoy working in a new organisation where they can see the results of their efforts. They relish the opportunity to develop themselves personally and professionally.” Hayley Cartwright
HRNET: a free HR advice and information serviceMany small to medium-sized charities do not have an HR professional within their team, but they may need to manage complex employment situations while complying with employment legislation.
Alongside The Cranfield Trust’s consultancy support, HRNet provides a solution to charities and social enterprises without the expense. It offers specific advice as well as a weekly briefing on employment issues.
Joining HRNet is free for any registered charity or other non-profit with a charitable purpose. Membership includes:
� A weekly email newsletter with up-to-date information on employment legislation and practice
� Shared experience of employment issues with other voluntary organisations
� Answers to specific employment questions from HR professionals
� An information archive of employment information, guidance and good practice.
Working with Street AssociationsBirmingham based organisation Uturn UK, a Community Interest Company (CIC), is pioneering Street Associations, an initiative to restore both communities and the values on which communities depend. Knowing that the initiative has huge potential, the founders wanted to make sure that they had the right model for expansion and were ready to take on more associations. They contacted The Cranfield Trust for help in developing a plan for expansion.
Working with volunteer consultant Simon Tidd, Uturn UK formed a plan covering how best to ‘go for growth’, incorporating marketing and media requirements to support their ambitions, as well as options for income generation to further their charitable activities.
Uturn UK director, Martin Graham, was delighted with the results, explaining: “Simon has been of great value to us and helped us to grasp nettles and crystallise conclusions to which we might have taken a lot of unnecessary time coming under our own steam – precisely, I would think, what such consultancy is for. We all found Simon helpful, understanding, very easy to relate to – and having a very quick grasp of our situation.”
Simon felt that the project was beneficial for him too, commenting: “Working with Street Associations has been great experience for me: Martin, Gina and colleagues are inspirational in their dedication to trying to make a positive difference. Most importantly, the project has allowed me to use consultancy skills usually practised in commercial, private sector settings, for an organisation whose primary motivation is to do good in the world.”
Simon has been of great value to us and helped us to grasp nettles and crystallise conclusions to which we might have taken a lot of unnecessary time coming under our own steam.”
[16] update 241 / November 2014
PRACTICE
Independent employment adviser, ELIZABETH SCHOLES, sets out how the new Shared
Parental Leave rules work. Shared parental leave and parental rights Make
sure your organisation
complies with all the
requirements for new parents,
including carrying out risk
assessments for pregnant employees.”
Maternity
Risk assessmentAs soon as you know an employee is pregnant, you must carry out a risk assessment to identify any risk to the employee’s health, or to her child. If there is a risk, you must remove this, or make alternative arrangements.
Ante-natal appointmentsYou must allow the employee paid time off to attend ante-natal appointments.
DiscriminationYou must not discriminate against an employee because she is pregnant, for example by harassment, dismissal or selection for redundancy for reasons related to pregnancy or maternity leave. However, you can discipline, dismiss, or make her redundant if this is not related to her pregnancy or maternity leave.
RedundancyDon’t forget to include employees on maternity leave in any redundancy consultation. Also, if you are making a pregnant employee’s job redundant and an alternative job is available, then the pregnant or maternity employee has the first claim on that job if she is suitable for it, even if she is not the best candidate among other employees whose jobs have been made redundant.
Leave Women are entitled to 26 weeks’ Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) and 26 weeks’ Additional Maternity Leave (AML). There are detailed notification requirements.
Statutory maternity payAn employee qualifies for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) if she has 26
weeks’ continuous employment by the fifteenth week before the week her baby is due, and she earns enough to pay National Insurance. SMP is paid for 39 weeks at 90% of salary for 6 weeks and then the lower of either 90% of her earnings or £138.18 per week.
Remember that employers can claim back 92 % of SMP (100% for small employers). If paying SMP will cause cash flow problems you can claim the money in advance – contact the HMRC helpline.
Maternity allowanceIf your employee does not qualify for SMP, give her form SMP1 so that she can apply for Maternity Allowance (MA).
Keeping in touch daysIf you and the employee agree, the employee may work up to 10 paid days during her maternity leave, usually for training or keeping in touch with work activities.
Continuing rightsWhile on maternity leave, employees continue to accrue holiday and receive any pension contributions or bonuses to which they are usually entitled.
BreastfeedingIf your employee wishes to breastfeed while at work, you should discuss with her any necessary arrangements, carry out a risk assessment, and remove any risks. If she is expressing milk, you must provide facilities for her to rest and store expressed milk.
If the baby diesIf, tragically, an employee gives birth to a stillborn baby after 24 weeks of pregnancy, she is entitled to maternity leave and pay (and her partner is entitled to paternity leave and pay). If a stillbirth or miscarriage occurs before the end of the 24th week, you may decide to give the
employee sick or compassionate leave. If the baby is born alive at any point in the pregnancy but later dies, the employee is entitled to her maternity leave and pay.
Return to workIf an employee returns to work before or at the end of OML, she is entitled to return to the same job on the same terms and conditions. If she leaves before or at the end of AML, she is entitled to return to the same job on the same terms and conditions, but if not reasonably practicable, she is entitled to return to a suitable job on terms and conditions at least as good as her previous job.
Paternity
Paternity leave An employee qualifies for Ordinary Paternity Leave (OPL) if he is taking the time off to support the mother or care for the baby and intends to be fully involved in their upbringing, and has been employed by the organisation for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the week when the baby is due. He must be one of the following:
� Biological father of the child
� Mother’s husband or partner (including same-sex relationships)
� Child’s adopter
� Husband or partner (including same-sex relationships) of the child’s adopter.
An employee can take one or two weeks’ OPL (but not occasional days). There are detailed notification requirements.
Currently, if the mother returns to work before the end of her maternity leave, her partner may be eligible for 2 to 26 weeks’ Additional Paternity Leave (APL). This is going to be replaced by Shared Parental Leave (see below). APL will not be available for babies born after 5 April 2015. Paternity payOrdinary Statutory Paternity Pay (OPP) is paid for up to two consecutive weeks during OPL. Additional Paternity Pay (APL) will be replaced by Shared Parental Pay (see below).
“What are my obligations under the new Shared Parental Leave rules? When does this start? I am confused about maternity and parental rights – can you summarise these for me?”
November 2014 / 241 update [17]
PRACTICE
Shared parental leave and parental rightsParental
Shared Parental Leave Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is a new right which will enable mothers, fathers, partners and adopters to choose how to share time off work after their child is born or placed. This could mean that the mother or adopter shares some of the leave with her partner, perhaps returning to work for part of the time and then resuming leave later. SPL comes into force for employees whose baby is due on or after 5 April 2015.
To qualify for SPL, the child’s mother (or adoptive parent) must be eligible for one of the following:
� Maternity leave or pay
� Maternity Allowance
� Adoption leave or pay.
and the employee must:
� Have at least 26 weeks’ continuous employment by the end of the 15th week before the due date and
� Still be employed by the organisation while they take SPL and
� Give the correct notice including a declaration that their partner meets the employment and income requirements which allow the employee to obtain SPL.
To qualify for Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP), an employee must:
� Qualify for SMP or
� Qualify for SPP and have a partner who qualifies for SMP or Maternity Allowance or Statutory Adoption Pay
If an employee is eligible and they or their partner end maternity or adoption leave early, then they can:
� Take the rest of the 52 weeks of leave (up to a maximum of 50 weeks) as SPL and
� Take the rest of the 39 weeks of pay (up to a maximum of 37 weeks) as ShPP.
ShPP is paid at £138.18 a week or 90% of an employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Splitting Shared Parental LeaveAn employee taking SPL can split their leave into up to 3 separate blocks instead of taking it in one go, even if
they aren’t sharing the leave with their partner. If both parents are taking SPL then they can take their leave at the same or different times as each other. There are detailed notification requirements for taking SPL.
For further information on SHP see the new ACAS guide to shared parental leave and pay (see below).
Adoptive parentsAdoptive parents have similar rights to birth parents. Check the ACAS guide to adoption leave and pay for details.
IVFAn employee has no statutory right to time off while she is undergoing IVF treatment. Attending IVF appointments should be managed according to your policies for attending medical appointments in work hours. Although not a statutory requirement, some organisations provide a certain amount of paid time off to attend IVF appointments.
A woman is entitled to paid time off to attend ante-natal appointments after the fertilised embryo has been implanted.
IVF related absence in the period between the removal of the ova and the implantation of the embryo must be disregarded for the purposes of discipline and redundancy selection, in the same way as pregnancy related absence.
Fertility treatment itself is not a ‘deemed incapacity’ for statutory sick pay (SSP). However, if the employee is ill due to the treatment, and this is stated on the medical form, then you should generally accept this for the purposes of SSP entitlement.
SurrogacyA mother carrying a baby as a surrogate is eligible for SMP and SML even if she has no contact with the baby after it is given up to the surrogate mother. Perhaps surprisingly, statutory Maternity, Adoption and Paternity Leave is not usually available for an employee having a baby through surrogacy. The European Court of Justice recently confirmed that surrogate mothers
are not entitled to maternity rights. However, in the UK, from April 2015 under the Children and Families Act 2014, where one of the surrogate parents is also the biological parent of the child, the parents may apply for a parental order under which they will be entitled to adoption leave and pay and SPL.
Other parental rightsDon’t forget that new parents may also be entitled to unpaid Parental Leave, unpaid emergency leave to care for dependants, and to request flexible working. Also check your contract to see if your organisation provides additional enhanced benefits for new parents. It is sensible to draft your contract so that any additional maternity pay is conditional on the employee returning to work for a certain period.
Action points � Update your staff handbook to
reflect the new arrangements for shared parental leave and surrogacy.
� Make sure your organisation complies with all the requirements for new parents, including carrying out risk assessments for pregnant employees, and giving precedence to pregnant employees in a redundancy.
� Consider your policy on employees undergoing IVF treatment and update your Staff Handbook as necessary.
� Make sure you know and comply with rights of new parents, but don’t be paralysed by pregnancies in your organisation! Unfortunately, you may sometimes have to discipline or dismiss a pregnant employee – this is lawful so long as you comply with the rules.
� If in doubt, obtain professional advice, and make sure you stay the right side of the law.
ACAS guide to shared parental leave: www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4911 | ACAS guide to shared parental leave and pay www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1828
Elizabeth Scholes is an independent employment consultant who specialises in the Third Sector. A former employment solicitor, Elizabeth has worked extensively with charities and voluntary organisations, and has also been a Trustee at two large Birmingham charities. Elizabeth advises on a wide range of employment matters for the Third Sector, including contracts, dispute resolution, dismissals, redundancies, and charity restructuring. She also provides HR and employment law training.
For further advice and details of Elizabeth’s competitive charity rates, contact Elizabeth: [email protected] / 07941 457580 / www.escholeshr.co.uk
BVSC has been providing high quality services to Birmingham’s voluntary and community sector for years.
Our Back Office, Consultancy and Coaching Services offer a range of solutions to fulfil all your organisation’s needs.
Contact us today to discuss your needs.
0121 678 8819
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Need to improve overall performance and productivity?Our Performance Coaching service enables you or your staff to develop leadership, management and on-the-job skills and to achieve a better work-life balance.
BVSC has been providing high quality services to Birmingham’s voluntary and community sector for years.
Our Back Office, Consultancy and Coaching Services offer a range of solutions to fulfil all your organisation’s needs.
Contact us today to discuss your needs.
0121 678 8819
www.bvsc.org/services
Burden of administration weighing you down?We offer a number of services that will lighten your load and allow you time to focus on your priorities.
■ Payroll services
■ Accountancy services
■ Human resource management
■ Events management
■ Shared services
Looking for a tailor-made solution?Our Consultancy Service can help you identify big solutions to big challenges. Whether you work in the voluntary or public sectors, we can help you!
Need to improve overall performance and productivity?Our Performance Coaching service enables you or your staff to develop leadership, management and on-the-job skills and to achieve a better work-life balance.
Do you want to raise your organisation’s profile without spending a penny?The BVSC Third Sector Database is the most comprehensive listing of third sector organisations in Birmingham. It’s the first port of call for anyone searching for third sector organisations and service providers.
BVSC Third Sector [email protected] | 0121 678 8830
www.bvsc.org/membership
SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME TO DO ITRob Legge with his top tips for managing your time effectively / 16
MAKING MONEY GO FURTHERMoneyline’s affordable loans and money management advice help people get control of their finances / 14
BEING THERENYAS independent visitors support children in care who have little or no family contact / 9
BE HEARDGet your views heard on the city consultation website, Birmingham Be Heard / 8
BIRMINGHAM VOLUNTEER OF THE YEARThe panel found it so hard to choose that they made everyone a winner / 5
KICK IT WITH KIKITSparkbrook-based KIKIT Pathways to Recovery CIC offers a large range of culturally specific services to help people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction / 10
all things voluntary & community in Birmingham
July & August 2014 238
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w.b
vsc.
org
THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESSbegins with one small step towards the heart, says Mark Spooner of Innoversal CIC / 12
FLEXIBLE WORKINGElizabeth Scholes looks at good practice and the law on flexible working / 16
APPRAISING YOUR CEOKarl George has 10 simple steps to help you with CEO appraisals / 14
PREGNANCY, ABUSE AND PERSECUTIONBethel Doula Project supports vulnerable women during their pregnancy / 12
TALENT MATCH HELPS YOUNG UNEMPLOYEDTalent Match will help 1,000 young adults move towards employment / 8
BRIDAL BOOM FOR UPCYCLEGrowth for social enterprise Upcycle Birmingham is being helped by the wedding season / 7
PREVENTING HOMELESSNESSSt Basils’ programme works in schools to raise awareness of homelessness amongst young people / 5
LAUGHING FOR A CHANGEWomen & Theatre celebrate success of their comedy and mental health project (and their 30th birthday) / 10
all things voluntary & community in Birmingham
September 2014 239
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w.b
vsc.
org
Tuesday, 11 November 20149.30am to 3.00pm
Complying with equality law £97
Tuesday, 18 November 20149.30am to 3.00pm
Restructuring, making dismissals and reducing employment costs
£97
Monday, 1 December 20142.00pm to 5.00pm
People developmentBVSC Training in partnership with KPMG
Free
Tuesday, 2 December 20149.00am to 1.00pm
Executive coaching for leaders: Effective productivity and leadership in third sector
£47
Thursday, 8 January 20159.30am to 3.30pm
Managing time off work and flexible working £97
Thursday, 15 January 20159.00am to 3.00pm
Volunteers: Managing, motivating and the law £97
Monday, 19 January 20152.30pm to 5.00pm
Financial Management Workshop: BVSC training in partnership with KPMG
Free
Tuesday, 20 January and Tuesday, 27 January 20159.00am to 3.00pm
Intensive HR Management and Employment Law Skills (two day course)
£180
Thursday, 5 February 20159.00am to 1.00pm
Data Protection, the Internet, Email and Social Media: How to avoid employment problems
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Thursday, 12 February 20159.00am to 3.00pm
Restructuring, Making Dismissals, and Reducing Employment Costs
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Thursday, 24 February 20159.00am to 3.00pm
Complying with Equality Law: Refresh your knowledge of Equality Act obligations
£97
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