In a rare outbreak of plain speaking, the Audit Commission (speaking about the assessment of Government grants to sport and leisure projects for young people) labeled the whole system a "dog's breakfast" (CYP Now, 29th Jan - 4th Feb. 09).

The report "Tired of hanging around" examines the problems that hinder the effectiveness of sports and leisure schemes for 8 - 19 yr olds who are in danger of drifting into antisocial behaviour. It found the system that funds such activities to be "wasteful, inefficient and bureaucratic"

Breaking news about Grassroots Grants
The Community Development Foundation has just raised the income limit from £20,000 per year to £30,000 with immediate effect. Any recent applications that were turned down on this point will be looked at again and assessed against the rest of the criteria.

Children in Need workshop
18 March, 10.00am to 12.30pm and 2.00pm to 4.30pm at Broadcasting Centre, Barrack Road, Newcastle
This workshop is designed to increase your understanding of BBC Children in Need and its funding principles. You will learn how to plan and prepare an application and receive hints and tips that might increase your chances of being successful. To find out more email david.carnaffan@bbc.co.uk

CEOP Thinkuknow training 29 April, 1.00pm to 4.30pm in Newcastle
This free training will allow you to directly deliver the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre’s 11-16 year olds Thinkuknow programme to young people. However you cannot cascade train other colleagues unless you also complete the CEOP Training Ambassador course (see below). The training will not only teach you how to deliver the product to young people but will also take you through many of the most popular applications young peoples are using in the online and mobile environment.

CEOP Training Ambassador course 30 April, 9.00am to 4.30pm in Newcastle
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre’s Training Ambassador course will provide an in depth look at not only young people’s use of the internet and mobile technology, but also how offenders use the online environment to groom young people. The training will give both a law enforcement and education perspective broadening your
understanding of this emerging arena. Cost £125.
To find out more click here

Sunderland Local Safeguarding children's Board
Children Displaying Sexually Harmful Behaviour - Level 3 (awareness-raising course) Facilitator - Tess Johnson, Kaleidoscope. 14th Oct 2009, 4th Feb. 2010 9.30am - 4.30pm

Child pornography and the Internet - Level 2. Facilitator - Alan Batey, Northumbria Police. 19th June 09, 12th Oct 09, 24th Feb. 2010 10.00am - 12.00pm

Issues of child Sexual Abuse - Level . Facilitator Lorna kemp, KITE. 22nd July 09, 26th Jan 2010 9.30am - 4.30pm

To book on any of these courses please contact Linda Breeze. Tel no 5532250 or email linda.breeze@sunderland.gov.uk r at Education Safeguarding Team

STUART WAITON the acclaimed author of ‘Scared of Kids’ and Director of Generation Youth Issues will be giving a FREE workshop and presentation, which will take critical look at society’s attitude to young people touching upon issues such as curfews, ASBO's, moral panics and the need for a balance between safety and freedom in young peoples’ lives.  Dr Waiton’s session will be a valuable resource to anyone working with young people or who are generally interested in issues around criminalization of young people and building genuine intergenerational relationships in communities.  The event will be held in the conference room at Scotswood Area Strategy on Armstrong Road in Scotswood, Newcastle upon Tyne at 2.30pm on Friday 6th March.

British Safety Council Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work
As part of the biggest-ever drive to promote a healthier, safer and more sustainable society, the BSC is working with organisations to offer free health and safety qualifications to disadvantaged groups such as the homeless, disabled and those not in education, employment or training (NEETs or pre-NEETs).The BSC Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work is completely free of charge to any organisation supporting disadvantaged people. The qualification is accredited by the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in the National Qualifications Framework.
The benefits of achieving this qualification are threefold:
1)       Makes people more aware of health and safety issues
2)       Helps build people’s confidence and self-esteem by providing them with a qualification they can use in the workplace
3)       Makes people more employable by providing them with a nationally-recognised qualification

A range of charities have registered for this initiative including Crisis, Centrepoint, First Step Trust and the Salvation Army. To date, over 5,000 people have benefited from free Level 1 examinations. We are aiming to increase this figure to 20,000 in 2009. How it works Level 1 registration form

The Government has launched a consultation on alcohol guidance, advice and information for parents, children, young people. 

It is looking for the views of children, young people, parents, careers and organisations and professionals working with young people in health, children's services and education settings

The government has announced that the UK's first National Family Week will be held from 25 to 31 May 2009. The initiative aims to celebrate and promote the social and personal benefits of family life and will consist of activities, national competitions and events for families in schools, children's centres, local councils and voluntary organisations.

How to participate - National Family Week offers not-for-profit organisations the exceptionally positive context of a celebratory national occasion through which to promote your activities. Organisations can use the week to showcase your work -how you support families, offer activities and services for families, develop family-friendly policies, or engage in other ways in the promotion of family life.

All not-for-profit organisations are invited to support and to take part in National Family Week for free. Already hundreds of organisations from around the UK, including but not limited to the following, have committed their support: Exactly what type of activity or event is entirely up to you, and may be different (and possibly very unique) depending on the nature of your organisation. Your event doesn't have to be a specially organised, one-off event -perhaps it is something that you regularly do as an organisation already, but with a special added family value or 'twist'? Or you could simply join in with National Family Week’s ‘core activities’ – perhaps by hosting a family picnic on the 25th May and being part of the record breaking attempt for the World’s Largest Simultaneous Picnic.