SIAA E-Bulletin - Friday 29th May

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) weekly e-bulletin

This week’s bulletin contains SIAA news, general news, a consultation, a publication, funding and recruitment.

If this e-bulletin was forwarded to you click here to subscribe and get future e-bulletins sent directly to you.

SIAA NEWS

SIAA Forum

Publications/sources of information on managing cases involving elderly people often with dementia varying from mild to severe.

“I suppose I'm thinking that, although the organisation for which I work takes an issue-based approach, for elderly people who have progressive dementia (and other) afflictions, issues might conceivably persist until end of life.  So when does one close a case?  

To view this posting and share your knowledge and experience go to the website.

GENERAL NEWS

The University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde is undertaking a three-year study looking at the extent to which campaign groups and voluntary organisations in Scotland make use of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation.  FOI could be a valuable tool for many voluntary organisations, but to date the Scottish Information Commissioner has reported surprisingly low rates of appeals (4%) to his office from the sector. To help understand some of the barriers encountered by voluntary organisations seeking information from public authorities, Strathclyde University is conducting this short survey and would like to find out your views. Voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes are invited to take part, regardless of whether or not they have previously requested information.  To complete the survey please click here.

SCVO Green Agenda

Catriona Prebble is the Green Agenda Officer for SCVO.  Part of her work is raising the awareness of the relevance of climate change across the sector and to provide direction to organisations in the sector on how best they can improve environmental performance.  She is interested in hearing the views of organisations working in the sector and would welcome feedback regarding on the issues of Climate Change Adaptation and Counting Carbon (see below).  Catriona can be contacted on 0131 474 6174 or e-mail her on catriona.prebble@scvo.org.uk.

‘Climate Change Adaptation consultation issues’

The Scottish Government is inviting responses to the second phase of its consultation on a strategic framework to increase Scotland's

resilience to the consequences of a changing climate, 'Preparing for a Changing Climate: Second Consultation to Inform Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation. The closing date for the consultation is 20 July 2009 but any initial comments/interest should please be submitted to Catriona on 0141 474 6174 or catriona.prebble@scvo.org.uk before 12 June 2009.  To find out more on the consultation click here.

‘Counting Carbon’. 

With the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill currently on its way through the Scottish Parliament, SCVO is exploring means by which the third sector can take action to reduce its own contribution to CO2 emissions.  SCVO recognises the potential impact which a more 'carbon conscious' third sector could make, initially in collective emissions reductions, but also in widening engagement in communities across Scotland on climate change and the need to mitigate and strengthen resilience in order to adapt to its effects.  Catriona is keen to hear from any organisations which have already implemented a carbon reduction programme, or are considering doing so, in order to learn from such experiences and the challenges involved.  The ultimate aim is to provide customised direction for the sector on best practice in carbon reduction strategies.  Please contact Catriona on 0141 474 6174 or catriona.prebble@scvo.org.uk.  

Better transitions for children and young people with additional support needs.

A new grant funded project for 'Transforming Transitions' offers:

• support (specifically through the provision of person-centered

           planning).

• to children and young people with additional support needs (and at the same time their families).
• at and before times of transition (primarily when joining school, moving schools, or leaving school).
• around central and southern Scotland.

For more information about this project and about person-centered planning please contact Robert Weetman on 0131 228 5929 or see the Equality in Education website.

Care for dementia

Scotland's first dementia strategy is on the way, stepping up the drive towards better care for people living with dementia.  The announcement comes on the day that a Mental Welfare Commission and Care Commission report provides a number of recommendations for improvement of care in care homes for people with dementia.  The Scottish Government will accept all of the recommendations which have been made in the report and will work to implement them speedily.  For more information click here.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups

The Scottish Government is to introduce a new membership scheme in 2010 aimed at improving the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups. The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme aims to ensure that those who have regular contact with children and protected adults through paid and unpaid work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour.  For more information click here.

Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum
Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum have changed their address and phone number.  Their new address is Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum, Roxburgh House Court, Roxburgh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1NY and their new telephone number is  01896 757290.

CONSULTATION

We need you to help us set a standard for involving people in the work of the NHS

In the Better Health Better Care: Action Plan, the Scottish Government made a commitment to the development of a Participation Standard.  The standard will set out what NHS Boards need to do to demonstrate that they are involving people in the planning and development of local health services and that services are accessible to all and responsive to the diverse needs of individuals.  The Scottish Health Council is working in partnership with Scottish Government and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to develop a draft standard for consultation. In doing this we are involving NHS Boards along with voluntary and public representatives and will be holding three open consultation events.  Places at these events are limited and to help them ensure broad representation and a good balance between members of the public, staff and voluntary organisations are invited.  For more information contact Linda Young at linda.young@scottishhealthcouncil.org by 12 June or telephone her on 0141 225 5557.

PUBLICATIONS

Audit Scotland

A report has been published by Audit Scotland regarding service user and carer views of Scottish mental health services.  To read this report please click here.

FUNDING

Voluntary Action Community Chest re-opened

The Voluntary Action Fund's (VAF) Community Chest grant has re-opened for new applications. The grant is aimed at smaller community groups and voluntary organisations across Scotland and will provide grants of up to £1,000, as well as free training to groups with an annual income under £25,000.  Log on to the VAF website for more information. 

Can you get a Community Food and Health Grant?

Any organisation considering work relating to food and health in the forthcoming year should consider an application to Community Food and Health (Scotland). They have an annual small grants scheme available for groups and agencies in Scotland who wish to improve access to and take up of a healthy, varied and balanced diet. Grants from £500 to a new higher upper limit of £4000 are available and grant recipients are expected to spend their grant money within one year. The small grant scheme closes in the early summer.  For more information please click here.

RECRUITMENT

Partners in Advocacy - Glasgow

Children & Young People’s Mental Health Advocacy Worker (Maternity Leave Locum) – Initial 6 Month Fixed Term Contract with Potential to Extend.  37 hours per week, £20,524 - £21,825.  Partners in Advocacy provide short-term independent professional advocacy to children and young people in Glasgow.  This vacancy is on our young people's mental health project, prioritising young people in psychiatric in-patient units and also working with some particularly vulnerable young people in the community.  For application pack please contact 0141 847 0660 or glasgow@partnersinadvocacy.org.uk.  The closing date 5pm Friday 5th June and interviews will be held on Wednesday 17th June.

CONTACT US

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance, Melrose House, 69a George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2JG. Telephone: 0131 260 5380. Fax: 0131 260 5381. Email: enquiry@siaa.org.uk  Website: www.siaa.org.uk

ABOUT THIS EMAIL

This is the weekly e-bulletin for the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance.  If you have any questions about the e-bulletin please contact enquiry@siaa.org.uk.

Please note that the SIAA is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

Scottish Charity No. SCO33576

Company No. 236526