The Basics of the Equality Act (2010)
2013-09-16 | Cardiff, Cardiff
Introduction
On 1 October 2010 all existing anti-discrimination legislation was replaced by the Equality Act 2010. The Act has removed inconsistencies, making legislation simpler to understand and comply with. It also strengthens the law, making it easier to tackle disadvantage and inequality.

Who should attend?
This Diverse Cymru course is particularly relevant for employers and service providers from the public, private or voluntary sectors.

Find out more on the Diverse Cymru website.

Are your concerns about charity trading holding you back?
2013-09-16 09:15 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Tapestri, Swansea, Tapestri, Swansea
Then our latest seminar, Charity trading: know the ropes, will really help you out. Run by Geldards law firm, this seminar will steer you in the right direction and ease your charity trading concerns.
They will cover a number of areas, including:
– The basics of trading – When trading is taxable – Setting up a trading subsidiary – Working capital – The latest guidance for claiming Gift Aid on donations
This seminar will provide practical examples, simple case studies and the opportunity to ask questions throughout the day, leaving you with more confidence when considering a trading subsidiary, as a trustee or member of staff.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Book online via the WCVA website.

Employability Fair
2013-09-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Llanrumney Library and Community Hub, Countisbury Ave, Llanrumney Library and Community Hub, Countisbury Ave
There will be stands by local employers, voluntary agencies, employment agencies and other services that can help you get back into work or find a job. You can get information on how to look for work, support with improving or creating a CV, have one-to-one interview practice or listen to presentations on employability, getting back into work and self-presentation, plus much more!
Computers will also be available for job searches with support for individuals on internet job searching. An intro IT workshop will take place from 10-11:30am.
Free play-workers will be on site from 11.30am to 1.30pm if you require childcare, and a free lunch will be provided.
For more information, email Ginger at ginger.w@c3sc.org.uk or call Llanrumney Hubon on (029) 2078 0994 or email llanrumneylibrary@cardiff.gov.uk

What do funders want? Big Lottery Fund (afternoon session)
2013-09-17 | Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil
In Wales, the Big Lottery Fund gives out over £100,000 every day through a range of grant programmes. But what does the fund look for in an application? And how can you increase your chances of getting funding?
WCVA’s half-day master class, aimed at experienced bid writers, will provide tips on what makes a successful project, tools that you can use in planning your project and reveal the key pieces of information that funders want to know.

By the end of our master class, you will be able to:
– Understand and meet the expectations of funders – Identify how to improve the quality of your funding bids – Understand how forward planning can increase your chances of success – Improve communication and relationships between funders and recipients

Tuesday 17 September 2013 – Merthyr Tydfil (pm)
Price: £20
Book via the WCVA website.

C3SC Training - An introduction to Results Based Accountability (RBA)
2013-09-17 10:00 - 16:00 | C3SC Offices, C3SC Offices
We regret that this course has been cancelled.
This course provides you with a summary of the increasingly used reporting methods that look at the impact your organisation is having. Covering the basics of RBA, and how you can start using it to measure your organisation’s performance, this course is perfect to meet the increasing demands from funders for RBA’s use.
Ideal for: any organisation that receives grant funding, or aspires to do so and wishes to learn about RBA.

“Excellent; could do again”
“It’s quite a complicated topic but I now have a better understanding as a result”
“Well presented, difficult topic”
“It was informative”

Citizen Directed Support
2013-09-18 | Cardiff, Cardiff
A one-day Learning Disability Wales course to help you understand how you can work in ways to support the development of Citizen Directed Support in the context of Welsh policy.
This course is designed for people who deliver or manage care or support services for people with learning disabilites and others. This course can form part of a continuing professional development programme.
Download a booking form from the Learning Disability Wales website (PDF).

Recognising and Responding to Bullying Behaviours
2013-09-18 | Carmarthen, Carmarthen
A Children in Wales one-day course

Evidence and practice shows that bullying affects the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. Research has identified that:
– Over 30% of Childline callers report that they have experienced bullying – 2/3 of young carers are bullied at school – “Bullying was a common theme, with nearly every group citing this as a reason for non-attendance” (National Behaviour and Attendance Review 2009) – 18% of pupils in Year 6, falling to 11% in Year 10, admit to bullying other pupils (All Wales Survey of Bullying in Schools 2009)

Reducing bullying incidents is undoubtedly a shared objective between children, young people, professionals and practitioners alike, however, addressing issues raised by children and young people can often prove challenging and, in some instances, we may feel unable to resolve conflict.

In order to address issues around bullying it is vital that professionals and practitioners, who work with children and young people, have a shared understanding of what determines bullying behavior, and feel confident in applying consistent approaches to prevent and tackle bullying.

This one day course will provide an overview of bullying, addressing the following areas:
– Understanding bullying and the complexity of behaviours that arise through bullying incidents – Recognising when bullying may be occurring – Responding effectively to reports of bullying – Identifying strategies to prevent bullying behaviours

COST:
Members £115
Non-members £135
Book via the Children in Wales website.

Parents' Week Conference: Engaging parents in family and parenting support services
2013-09-18 09:30 - 16:00 | Future Inns, Cardiff Bay, Future Inns, Cardiff Bay
Children in Wales’ Parents’ Week Conference this year will be around the theme of engaging parents in family and parenting support services.
Family and parenting support services provided by Flying Start, Families First and through other funding streams are increasingly being challenged to extend their reach to vulnerable families. The focus of the event will be on research evidence around engaging families and practical examples of what different areas are doing to successfully engage families. It is hoped that the event will increase delegates understanding and give them the opportunity to consider their own policy and practice alongside sharing experiences and best practice.

Who should attend?
Professionals providing family and parenting support and anyone with a policy lead or interest in family and parenting support.

Confirmed Speakers:
Alison Prowle, Senior Lecturer Early Childhood, University of Worcester
Alison has extensive experience of early years provision and family interventions as an academic, a front-line Practitioner and a Senior Manager in local government. She began her career as a Primary School Teacher. As integrated Services Manager for Children and Families in Blaenau Gwent, a post held until April 2012, Alison was responsible for managing a range of services for children, young people and families including Early Years and Childcare Services, Flying Start, Integrated Children’s Centres, Parenting provision, Play provision and Education Welfare Services. She also played an active role in the Welsh Government Pioneer phase of the Families First Initiative. Since April 2013 Alison has been teaching and researching in the area of Early Years, Parenting and Families at the Centre for Early Childhood, University of Worcester. She will be talking about importance of readiness for change in delivering parenting interventions for troubled families.

Lorraine Khan, Associate Director for Children and Young People at the Centre for Mental Health and a Senior Research Fellow – Institute of Psychiatry – Kings College, London
Since 2009, Lorraine and the Centre for Mental Health’s Chief Health Economist have been investigating ways to improve parents’ access to and engagement with evidence based parenting programmes. Positive parenting techniques have a major contribution to make in protecting the life chances of children with early behavioural problems. The Centre for Mental Health has completed a number of reports investigating the cost effectiveness of parenting programmes and the barriers and facilitators shaping the effectiveness of programmes for parents and children in real life settings. Lorraine will be talking about this work as well as some of the follow-up projects supporting frontline practice.

Professor Judy Hutchings OBE, Director of the Centre for Evidence Based Early Intervention (CEBEI), Bangor University
Professor Judy Hutchings has worked in North Wales since 1973, for many years as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, working with children with significant behavioural difficulties. She undertakes research with referred children and their families and early preventive work with parents, children and teachers. She has held grants totalling over £1.5 million and has published extensively. She has lectured and taught internationally including in Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Poland and Portugal. She will be sharing her insights from 40 years of experience in providing support to parents and children and will be talking about how services can be better joined up to work more effectively with families.

Angela Bourge, Cardiff Council and Andy Senior, Children in Wales
Angela Bourge is employed as an Operational Manager with Cardiff Children’s Services where she has responsibility for Children’s Resources. Angela has a social work background, having worked in Children’s Services for 25 years. She has a passion for family support and a particular interest in parent participation.
Andy Senior has worked in the children and families field in Wales for over 18 years in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, and has a particular interest in project development, outcomes based planning and early intervention and prevention services.
Angela and Andy will be co-presenting the key findings of a recent research project around improving the engagement of the fathers and male carers of children on the Child Protection Register or who are Children in Need.

Jonathan Scourfield, Professor of Social Work at Cardiff University
Jonathan Scourfield has varied research interests, among which are child welfare and social work with men. His books include Gender and Child Protection (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003), Working with Men in Health and Social Care (Sage, 2007, with Featherstone and Rivett) and Muslim Childhood (Oxford University Press, 2013, with Gilliat-Ray, Khan and Otri). He is currently researching interventions with fathers as part of a fellowship funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. His presentation will be the findings of a recent UK-wide survey to find out what kind of work is being done with fathers in child and family services.

Lynn McDonald, Professor of Social Work Research, Middlesex University, London
Families and Schools Together (FAST) Programme Developer
Lynn McDonald is a Professor of Social Work Research at Middlesex University and has a doctorate in Psychology. Lynn is the Programme Developer and founder of Families and Schools Together (FAST), which is an award winning evidence based early intervention and prevention programme that has proven effective in enhancing family relationships and building protective factors for children and their families. Lynn will share with delegates some of the messages from the BPS “Technique is Not Enough: A framework for ensuring that evidence-based parenting programmes are socially inclusive” paper which she co-authored. The paper explores how effective parenting programmes can ensure they engage those most likely to benefit: parents on low income and those who are marginalised and socially excluded. She will also explore retention rates of low income minority parents, and the strategies which keep them involved. Lynn will also share her experiences developing and delivering the FAST programme.
Price:
Members: £60 Non-members: £70

Book online via the Children in Wales website.

Youth tobacco training and education session
2013-09-18 09:30 - 16:30 | Cardiff, Cardiff
Ash Wales is offering a one-day youth tobacco training and education centre for professionals who work with young people and have an interest in tobacco issues.
During the session, you will:
Participate in a number of different youth specific interactive exercisesBoost knowledge of the smoking and tobacco arenaIncrease confidence in discussing smoking and tobacco issues with young peopleReceive free resources and useful links for you and your organisation
Price: £15 refreshments, lunch and all resources
Find out more on the Ash Wales website.

WCVA Volunteering Conference
2013-09-18 10:00 - 15:30 | Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Venue Cymru, Llandudno
This conference is for anyone keen to explore diversity in volunteering and discover how to help people overcome the barriers that may be blocking the way to getting involved in helping others.
Among others, there’ll be plenary sessions from Amanda Parker of Mind Cymru, looking at getting those with mental health difficulties into volunteering, while Anne Hubbard (Wales Migration Partnership) and Constance Nzeneu (Women Seeking Sanctuary Advocacy Group) will look at the volunteering contribution made by migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
And the range of workshops cover topics including attracting young people to volunteering, diversity in volunteer management, and how to attract more Welsh-speaking volunteers.
There’s not much time left and places are limited. You can read the full programme here and book your place here.

ECLP’s Enterprise Roadshow: Big Ideas for Small Communities
2013-09-19 | St Mellons Community Education Centre (CF3 0EF), St Mellons Community Education Centre (CF3 0EF)
Got a great idea that needs developing? Seen a business opportunity but need support? Want to know more about being self-employed?
ECLP is putting on one-day workshops covering all the basics of setting up a business, including how to make it hassle free.
Hear from people who have succeeded using the methods shared on the day.

Climate Change Commission Wales Meeting (Communities Theme)
2013-09-19 - 2013-09-20 | Tapestri, Swansea, Tapestri, Swansea
On 19th and 20th September, the Climate Change Commission for Wales is holding its annual two-day meeting at Tapestri in Swansea.
The theme of the meeting is ‘community’ and Day 2 is devoted to learning how charities, community groups and social enterprises are addressing the challenges of climate change and building resilience to its affects. The session will explore how their approach is tackling social issues and contributing to the economy – and creating good growth. We’ll also explore the barriers to action.
Find out more on the Cynnal Cymru website.

Working Together to Make a Difference
2013-09-19 14:00 - 19:00 | City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND, City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND
If you work with homeless or vulnerable people in the city, you are invited to this FREE event.
This is a networking event that has been arranged to help staff and volunteers from faith groups, third sector agencies and statutory services, who work with vulnerable people in the city, to gain an understanding of the full range of services available to the people they support.
Groups and organisations are invited to have a stall at the event (FREE of charge) to promote their service and offer information about what they do.
If your group / organisation would like to have a stall, you can book online at www.cardiffhousing.co.uk/workingtogether or email book@cardiffhousing.co.uk. Alternatively, please phone (029) 2053 7278.
Staff and volunteers are invited to attend the event (FREE of charge) to gain information and meet others who work with homeless or vulnerable people. There will be opening speeches at 2pm, but the main aim is to allow people to mingle and talk to other service providers. It has therefore been arranged on a drop-in basis to allow people to come when they can, for as long as they need. However, it would be helpful to know how many staff / volunteers from your group / organisation are likely to attend – so please email book@cardiffhousing.co.uk or telephone 029 2053 7278.

Making Reasonable Adjustments for Disabled Workers
2013-09-20 | Cardiff, Cardiff
IntroductionEquality for disabled people may mean changing the way in which an employer’s provisions, criteria or practices are applied to individual disabled workers, removing physical barriers and/or providing extra support for a disabled worker. The duty to make reasonable adjustments, as required the Equality Act, aims to make sure that, as far as is reasonable, a disabled worker is not substantially disadvantaged compared to a non-disabled persons. When the duty arises, an employer is under a duty to take reasonable steps to remove or reduce or prevent the disadvantage a disabled worker or disabled job applicant faces. Who should attend?This Diverse Cymru course is suitable for anyone with a management, human resources or occupational health role, in the public, private or voluntary sectors, who has responsibility for ensuring that disabled workers’ are not placed under a substantial disadvantage. Find out more on the Diverse Cymru website.

C3SC Training: Volunteer Recruitment, Selection and Induction
2013-09-20 10:00 - 16:00 | C3SC Offices, Brunel House, Cardiff, C3SC Offices, Brunel House, Cardiff
This course develops further on the “Introduction to Volunteering” course. It sets out the processes required to advertise, recruit, develop and train volunteers to make the process rewarding and safe.
Ideal for: organisations wishing to develop further skills around the recruitment and retention of volunteers.

Introduction to Youth and Community Education
2013-09-23 - 2013-09-25 | Powerhouse, Llanedeyrn, Powerhouse, Llanedeyrn
This FREE Cardiff Metropolitan University Widening Access course is designed as an introduction for those who wish to undertake professional training in youth and community work and those who would like to know more about studying for the Youth and Community course. It is suitable for people who care about their community and want to know more. Themes that will be developed within the course include: learning from experience; coping in new surroundings and understanding others. This course is a great introduction to Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Youth & Community Education BA.
Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm.

Cardiff and Vale Carers Support and Information Network Group (CSING)
2013-09-23 10:00 - 12:00 | VCVS offices, Barry, VCVS offices, Barry
CSING aims to bring together a range of sectors, agencies and organisations providing services for carers and provide a forum for sharing information, promoting partnership working, sharing good practice and raising issues relating to services for carers and the cared for.
To book a place, contact linda@valecvs.org.uk

ISSA annual conference
2013-09-24 09:00 - 16:00 | City Hall, Cardiff, City Hall, Cardiff
Isolation within BAME and Muslim Communities
Speakers…Presentations…Interactive Breakout Workshops…Digital Diaries… Discussions…Questions & Answers…& MoreCost: Just £25 per person (to be paid before, invoices provided)Refreshments, lunch & conference pack included
Limited places, allocated on a first-come basisFor a booking form or more info please email info@issa-wales.org or call 029 2034 5294

Advice Providers' Network event
2013-09-24 09:30 - 12:00 | Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff CF24 0EB., Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff CF24 0EB.
The network is facilitated by Cardiff Third Sector Council in order to provide a forum for third sector advice providers to work in partnership with Cardiff Council, one of the largest funders for advice work in Cardiff.
If you’re interested in joining the network or would like to attend the event, please contact Kevin (his details are below).

Universal Credit
2013-09-24 | Cardiff, Cardiff
The introduction of universal credit from October 2013 will fundamentally change the current system of benefits and tax credits. This one-day Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) course in Cardiff examines how the new benefit will work and the likely effect on claimants.
Find out more and book your place via the CPAG website.

Welfare Benefit Reform
2013-09-25 | Cardiff, Cardiff
An essential half-day session to get you up to speed on what has happened, and what is happening with changes to the Welfare Benefit system.
Course Aims
This Learning Disability Wales course will help you understand the changes in the Welfare Benefit system, their likely impacts and to help you work within a changing welfare benefit system. Make sure that you are up-to-date with the facts and figures and understand how these changes will affect you and the people you support and advise.

Designed for
Anyone working in a support, care or advice role for a disabled adult who wishes to know more about the key benefit changes taking place and the impact they will have.

Introduction to debt advice
2013-09-25 - 2013-09-26 | Cardiff, Cardiff
This two-day Citizens’ Advice Bureau practical course will provide a detailed introduction to advising clients who have debt problems and is suitable for generalist advisers, those new to money advice and advisers with other subject specialisms.
Level: Introductory
You will find full details, including fees and an online booking form, at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/advisertraining

Introduction to Trainer Skills
2013-09-25 - 2013-09-26 | NewLink Wales, Meridian Court, North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BE, NewLink Wales, Meridian Court, North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BE
The City & Guilds Introduction to Trainer Skills provides participants with a sound introduction to the concepts of a systematic approach to training. It’s an intensive course, designed to be delivered over two days, and is ideal for those who train others in organisations.The course will be delivered by NewLink Wales and will include:· setting ground rules · use of icebreakers · the learning environment · training resources · gaining and maintaining attention · motivation
– assessment

The FSI Bristol Roadshow
2013-09-25 - 2013-09-26 | The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5PY, The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5PY
Free training for small charities
Through their Roadshow series, the FSI takes two days of free training to hubs around the UK so that all small charities, wherever they are, can access the skills they need to be self-sustaining.
The Roadshow will offer 8 full-day training sessions covering a wide range of fundraising skills and techniques ranging from Developing Your Core Case for Support to Fundraising from Trusts & Foundations to Managing Volunteers. Whatever your interest you will find a topic that will enhance your skills and improve your ability to support your beneficiary group. For more info and bookings, go to http://www.thefsi.org/programmes-3/training/bristol/

“The value of this course is immense. I cannot think of any other course I have been on (paid or free) that was better”
– Bristol 2011 Roadshow attendee

Personal Independence Payment
2013-09-25 | Cardiff, Cardiff
This full day Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) course for advisers examines the replacement of disability living allowance (DLA) for adults by a new ‘personal independence payment’ (PIP) from April 2013.
The course covers:
– who can claim PIP – the structure of the benefit – the assessment criteria and process – claims, awards and appeals – migration of existing DLA claimants on to PIP
NOTE: The course is suitable for anyone wanting to get to grips with the detail of PIP, including experienced advisers who want to update their knowledge.
Book your place via the CPAG website.

Introduction to trust fundraising
2013-09-26 | Wales Council for Voluntary Action – Baltic House, Cardiff Bay, Wales Council for Voluntary Action - Baltic House, Cardiff Bay
AimsTo provide participants with the knowledge, tools and techniques to raise money from charitable trusts. ContentThere are nearly 9,000 grant-making trusts in the UK. Who are they? What do they fund? How can you find out more about them? What makes a successful application? This WCVA introductory course for those new to trust fundraising will answer these questions and more. It will focus on those trusts with a particular interest in Wales. By the end of this course participants will be able to:
– Understand what are grant-making trusts and foundations – Be aware of what trusts fund – Know how to research trusts – Appreciate the key factors in a successful application – Recognise how to connect with and develop relationships with trusts – Ensure they comply with relevant legislation and best practice
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for trustees, staff or volunteers wanting to find out more about the potential for raising money from trusts.
Participants will benefit from internet access at home or at work to participate fully in this course.

Book your place via the WCVA website.

Working with Groups
2013-09-26 - 2013-09-27 | Cardiff, Cardiff
A two-day Children in Wales course
Delegates will explore the role of the group facilitator, and be able to use facilitation skills to engage constructively with group participants from a variety of groups running in different settings. The course will enable delegates to base their work on the principles of equal opportunities. The course will develop delegates’ understanding of and ability to use active listening and communication skills within a group context.
By the end of course, participants will:
– Understand the role of the facilitator – Understand some models of groupwork theory – Understand and manage group dynamics – Be able to identify some of the key knowledge and skills necessary for successful facilitation – Be able to share, explore and practice facilitation techniques – Be able to share some of the challenges involved in facilitation and consider ways of overcoming these
Book via the Children in Wales website.

C3SC Training: Getting the Best from your Volunteers
2013-09-26 10:00 - 2013-09-27 16:00 | C3SC Offices, Brunel House, Cardiff, C3SC Offices, Brunel House, Cardiff
This 2-day course aims to improve the way your organisation uses volunteers. Including: how to structure volunteer work, reviewing their progress, and ensuring that volunteers help to develop their own goals and experiences.
Ideal for: organisations with a basic understanding of volunteers, and wishing to make the volunteering experience more rewarding.

IWA Professional: The role of Special Adviser
2013-09-27 09:00 - 13:00 | Park House Club, Cardiff, Park House Club, Cardiff
This is the first in a series of Institue of Welsh Affairs professional conferences, which will draw on the IWA’s unique connections across sectors to get to the heart of a specialist subject.
– Learn how Government works at a senior level in Wales and Whitehall – Understand the role of Special Advisers in decision making – Understand how to work with Ministerial advisers – Listen to UK experts and hear from people at the heart of Government

Speaker Highlights
– Jo Kiernan, Chief of Staff for the First Minister – Joanne Foster, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister – Richard Hazlewood, former Special Adviser, Wales Office – Zoe Gruhn, Director of Learning, Institute for Government
The event is CPD certified.
Download the programme
£195 (plus VAT) Delegates will receive a report of the conference within 48 hours. Book via the IWA website.

Launch of Black History Month
2013-09-27 16:00 - 18:00 | St David’s Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH, St David’s Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH
You are invited to the official launch of Black History Month 2013.
Including a specially commissioned performance by Ballet Nimba and Catrin Finch, and featuring the opening of a unique Photographic Exhibition by Inga K.
Black History Month in Wales aims to educate people, challenge negative perceptions, celebrate the positive contributions and promote the history of people of African Diaspora heritage from a typically Welsh perspective.
