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LATEST NEWS
Community Grants to fund projects that encourage further learning and/or lead to employment
Deadline 24 November 2008 - Act now!
Oxfordshire Young Carers Service
Oxfordshire County Council is inviting expressions of interest from organisations to provide a 'Young Carers Service' across the County in order to improve the day-to-day life for young carers.
The new service for Young Carers has developed out of the Oxfordshire Young Carers Strategy 2009-11 which contains both in house service developments and external services.
The service to be procured will provide the following:
- Identification of Young Carers and their needs throughout the County.
- Matching the service to the needs of Young Carers.
- Public awareness raising events.
- A range of breaks, activities and trips.
- Support for Young Carers aged 8 and under.
- Support for Young Carers aged 16 to 25.
The contract, which is expected to start in July 2009, will initially be for a 2 year period with an option to extend for three years subject to performance and funding. The estimated total value of the contract is £960,000.
Applicants can request a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) for completion from Pat James pat.james@oxfordshire.gov.uk, 01865 815462. Please note that the closing date for the return of the PQQ is 2pm on 1 December 2008. Those organisations successfully completing the pre-qualification stage will be sent a tender document.
NJC pay scales 2008/09
After a long delay the NJC scales for 2008/09 have been published and the increase is 2.45%. This is the same as last year. Visit the NAVCA website for more information: http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/scales/
OCVA Chief Executive airs concern over procurement
OCVA has published research into the effects of competitive tendering on the service delivery voluntary sector in Oxfordshire. 'The tender subject of tendering' is available to download from the useful documents page or by contacting OCVA (info@ocva.org.uk; 01865 251946).
Empowering the Voluntary Sector to Influence Public Bodies; using the principles of public law to protect your project and its funding
Workshops are taking place in:
- Hillingdon 19 Nov
- Bristol 25 Nov
- Gloucester 1 Dec
Groups are limited to 15 participants. The cost per person is £35; including VAT and a light lunch. More information at: www.navca.org.uk/evs
People who have attended previous workshops have gone back to their organisations feeling empowered and confident that they could identify when public bodies are not using fair processes, and have expressed their relief at finally finding the information they needed to help them negotiate successfully with local public bodies.
“Today's learning has given me more confidence in challenging public bodies when they fail to discharge their duties or abuse their powers…..a great day”.
Change4Life – help children achieve a healthier future
A new initiative is bringing together people in communities, local healthcare workers, teachers, charities, government agencies, the media and industry in a national coalition to help children achieve a healthier future.
Change4Life will be launched in 2009 and aims to help families become more active, eat better and live longer. Their priority today is to ask people to add their support. If your group would like to become a Change4Life partner visit www.nhs.uk/change4life or call 0300 123 3434.
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