Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

Established Day Nursery with registered capacity for 40 children, a loyal staff and a proven track record in its local community, require a Nursery Manager. The Nursery Manager will need to show strong oral and written skills, excellent leadership and supervisory skills, expertise with CSSIW standards, understanding of financial budgets, exceptional communicator and able to demonstrate sensitivity and awareness when communicating with parents and staff. This is an exciting role for someone who is keen to work within an environment where real change can be delivered. For more information go to our employment page.

Orders to remove the terms ‘Local Education Authority’ and ‘Children’s Services Authority’ from primary and secondary legislation and replacing with ‘Local Authority’

The Welsh Assembly Government has notified us that from 5 May 2010, the terms ‘Local Education Authority’ and ‘Children’s Services Authority’ have been repealed and replaced by the single term ‘Local Authority’ in both primary and secondary legislation. This simply brings the legislation in line with current policy and practice and will not change its substantive meaning.

The Welsh Local Government Association was consulted on the planned changes to legislation and gave a positive response.

The relevant Parliamentary Orders are ‘The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authority (Integration of Functions) Order 2010’ and  ‘The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Local and Subordinate Legislation) Order 2010’.  In addition, ‘The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Wales) Order 2010’ amends the references in Measures of the National Assembly and ‘The Local Education Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Subordinate Legislation) (Wales) Order 2010’, the references in secondary legislation that applies in relation to Wales only.
Hyperlinks to the relevant Orders are provided below:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20101158_en_1

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20101172_en_1

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2010/wsi_20101148_en_1

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2010/wsi_20101142_en_1

Caitlin’s Wish is a storybook written by Victoria Taylor for children who have a disabled or sick family member, relative or friend. It is a magical fairytale, beautifully illustrated by Clare Wiles, that enables young carers to see their role from a different perspective, and is an insight into what being a young carer is really like!  Victoria wrote this book with young carers in mind, to helpvthem to see the positive elements in their lives rather than dwelling on the negatives.

Caitlin’s Wish is available to order now, published by AuthorHouse.  25% of the royalties from every book sold will be going to Crossroads Care  and the IH ResearchFoundation.  For more information on Caitlin’s Wish please go to www.caitlinswish.co.uk

‘Are you open-minded? Non-judgemental? Respectful of others?

Could you give some time to help children and young people who are desperate for someone who will listen?

ChildLine is the UK’s free 24-hour helpline for children and young people up to the age of 19.

Every day thousands of children try to contact ChildLine in desperate need of help.

 Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer, whatever age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and physical abilities. Volunteering roles available are counselling, switchboard, administration and fundraising.  For more information email NigelC@nptcvs.org.uk

In 2008, Contact a Family carried out a survey into the financial situation of families with disabled children which revealed some shocking results. This year, the organisation has issued a similar survey to examine whether and to what extent circumstances have changed for these families. For more information go to the cafamily website.

The Children’s Legal Centre’s new website for young people, Lawstuff, is now live! Go to the website to take a look.

As you may be aware, a new physical activity action plan entitled ‘Creating an Active Wales’ was launched by the Welsh Assembly Government on Wednesday 13^th January 2010. Creating an Active Wales sets out the steps the Welsh Assembly Government will take, with partners, to achieve an active, healthy and inclusive Wales.

The action plan focuses on four strategic aims; to develop a physical environment that makes it easier for people to choose to be more physically active; to support children and young people to live active lives, and become active adults; to encourage more adults to be more active, more often throughout life and to increase participation in sport, by all sectors of the population.

The Window of Opportunity Week is now taking place at Cymer Afan Comprehensive School from 1^st to 5^th February 2010. There are a range of workshops on offer including help with job searches and CV writing, computer training taster sessions, cookery sessions, activities for the under 11s and youth activities including circus and rugby skills.

The Assembly’s Children and Young People Committee is currently holding an inquiry into Safe Places to Play Out and Hangout.  This is an opportunity for young people to give their views through submitting questionnaire answers, photos and video evidence.  This can be entered online on The Assembly’s website. If you would like to this discuss further, please contact Rebecca Jayne Spiller on 02920 898807.

The Volunteer Centre would like to notify you of the decision to extend the deadline for applications to the youth opportunities bank by one week. This means the deadline for Neath Port Talbot CVS to receive applications is now Friday 22nd January.  This decision is due to the snow experienced in the past two weeks and the impact this has had on organisations. If groups would like any advice on their applications or need any further information please contact Nigel Cram, Youth Volunteering Development Officer, Neath Port Talbot CVS on 01639 631387 or nigelc@nptcvs.org.uk.