2. About Framework

2. About Framework

EXTERNAL DOCUMENT

FRAMEWORK ANNUAL REPORT

FOR 2015

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. About Framework

3. Summary of work undertaken in 2015

APPENDIX 1: Results of Survey Monkey

APPENDIX 2: Projects we work with.

APPENDIX 3: Staff and Board

APPENDIX 4: Finances

1. INTRODUCTION

This Annual Report outlines the work undertaken by Framework in 2015. The core work of Framework has been undertaken within Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme through a contract between the organization and Tusla.

While the community and voluntary sector is in a phase of transition Framework is also planning for the future. Within the context of the Family Resource Centre Programme and the wider sector, Framework here outlines the broad work of the organisation for 2015.

Positive Outcomes for Framework in 2015

  • In spite of continued reductions in funding and opportunities to access other sources of funding Framework has managed to maintain its services to FRC Projects;
  • Overall Projects express satisfaction with the support they have received and Framework Staff will often go the extra mile when a Project is in crisis;
  • Framework was successful in achieving the Quality Mark in 2015 from EIQA, a first for the organisation and also completed the National Governance Code Process achieving full compliance.
  • Framework launched a fully comprehensive range of Online Resources and a new Website which means that these materials are available to the Family Resource Centres at all times, as well as other organisations we may support;
  • Framework undertook a Survey of Project Users to get feedback and information on services provided with positive and constructive feedback. (See Page Results of Survey Monkey in Appendix 1)

Challenges for 2015

  • Projects we support have experienced many challenges throughout 2015, particularly in relation to managing cutbacks and some have needed additional support over this period. (See No 3 Summary of work carried out in 2015);
  • Resources and lack of opportunities to adequately reward staff within Framework and in the FRC Programme is an ongoing issue;
  • Staff Retention is beginning to become an issue as other opportunities arising can appear more attractive to highly qualified and experienced Staff;
  • There are ongoing changes to the operational environment in which the FRC Programme is based and to date clarity as to the future of the Programme or the role of Framework within the Programme is not yet clear.

A process of Development

Framework has undertaken an internal process of development over the last 2 years.

This process has included:

  • Facilitated sessions of the Board and Staff of Framework;
  • A survey of clients experiences and needs;
  • A number of meetings with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency;
  • Research on the ongoing development of the sector;
  • Ongoing meetings and development sessions with Staff;
  • Development of new website and online resource material;
  • Application and ongoing engagement with the QMark Process and Governance Code.
  • Development of a Joint Submission to Tusla with West Training Ltd..

As a result Framework has produced a new Draft Strategic Plan for the sustainable future of the organisation containing:

  1. A new definition of the Vision, Mission and Aims of the organisation;
  2. Working from ethical practice and what that means;
  3. The broad parameters of the role of Framework and the work of the organisation ;
  4. An outline of the Framework approach to delivering the work;
  5. The organisational structures designed to deliver the work.

2. ABOUT FRAMEWORK

2.1. VISION STATEMENT

“FRAMEWORK…Building ethical leadership and practice.”

2.2 MISSION STATEMENT

“FRAMEWORK…Working imaginatively, intuitively and

collectively to create positive change.”

2.3 AIMS

Aim 1: To promote the values of ethical leadership and good governance,which supports and promotes best practice;

Aim 2: To deliver a range of supports, training and mentoring to individuals, communities, community sector organisations and agencies;

Aim 3:To support communities and organisations to fully participate in

influencing policy locally, regionally and nationally.

2.4 VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

  • Equality and anti-discrimination focus promoting the right of people to be treated equally within the law regardless of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community;
  • Human rights based approach that every person and all peoples are entitled to active, free and meaningful participation in, contribution to, and enjoyment of all aspects of society;
  • Operating from best ethical practice of transparency, accountability and honesty;
  • Empowerment of all stakeholders through the development of structures which are genuinely about power sharing and involving the full and equal participation of all stakeholders in meaningful decision making processes;
  • Collective action and solidarity through supporting people to work together to bring about social change;
  • Encourage creative and innovative solutions to problems;
  • Respect for people’s difference, skills, knowledge and life experience;

2.5 CURRENT CONTRACT WITH TUSLA

Framework has worked since 1994 in delivering support, advice and training to community sector organisations. Whilst we have been working with Family Resource Centres since 1999 our current contract with Tusla has been on a roll over basis since 2012.

We are currently contracted by TUSLA to support 55 community-based Family Resource Centres (FRCs) funded through the National Community and Family Resource Centre Programme in the following areas:

  • Midlands / Dublin (15 FRCs) ;
  • Dublin (13 FRCs);
  • South East (17 FRCs);
  • North East (9 FRCs)

Terms and core responsibilities of current contract are to:

  • Deliver appropriate training and support to assigned Projects on a range of key areas such as social analysis, social inclusion, community development, equality issues and organisational development;
  • Ensure FRCs are aware of and meet their contractual obligations and promote good practice and standards for the work of FRCs in relation to board procedures, employment practice, company law and accounting practice;
  • Work with Projects in drawing up their Three Year Strategic Workplans;
  • Ensure anti-poverty and equality issues are central to the development of the work of Family Resource Centres;
  • Monitor the performance of Projects and providing the Family Support Agency (FSA) with feedback on the progress of work as required and at twice yearly meetings
  • Support the capacity of Projects to contribute to, engage with and participate in local and county decision making structures;
  • Meet regularly with Projects, this should include scheduled meetings with the Voluntary Board of management at least every two months;
  • Be flexible and responsive to the particular needs of FRCs and support each Centre to draw up an agreed programme of support and training based on those needs;
  • Be committed to the principles, values and process of community development and support FRCs to carry out their work in a way which reflects this commitment;
  • Support the evaluation of the work of the Family Community Services Resource Centre National Programme;
  • Support the evaluation of the work of the Programme using the current approved evaluation system, SPEAK.

2.6 DELIVERY OF FLEXIBLE NEEDS BASED SUPPORT:

Framework recognises and acknowledges that individuals, groups, Projects and communities all have their own experience; expertise; knowledge; skills and culture. We are committed to providing a programme of support that is flexible, adaptable and which responds appropriately to the needs identified by the Projects themselves. This support will encompass the following methods:

2.6.1 Allocation of Support Workers

  • Day to day support:

When a community group is approved for funding under Tusla and given access to a RSA they will be allocated a support Worker from Framework. This allocation will be based on geographical location and Framework staff currently operate within the South East of the country.

  • External support:

Framework recognises that it may not always be able to meet the support needs of a Project. When requested by the Project Framework will provide the necessary information to access a trainer or facilitator with particular expertise. The Project will be responsible for covering the additional cost of this support. Where a Project does not have the resources to cover this the designated Support Worker will discuss with funders the possibility of additional once off funding to meet these costs.

2.6.2 Importance of relationships based on equality and partnership

Framework staff are committed to building relationships with Projects that are based on equality and working in partnership, and at all times will be respectful of the Project’s right to make independent and autonomous decisions.

2.6.3 Confidentiality

Framework is committed to maintaining confidentiality of the organization we support. However, there are certain circumstances that we will be obliged to bring issues to the attention of the appropriate channels should they be disclosed. The appropriate channels may be the Directors of the Board, Tusla or another appropriate authority. Examples of issues may relate to:

  • Alleged cases of sexual harassment, discrimination or bullying in the work place;
  • Alleged discrimination or exclusion of individuals or groups as a result of their, ethnic origin, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, economic status etc..
  • Alleged embezzlement of funding;
  • Alleged sexual or physical abuse of a Project user, management member or worker;
  • The alleged sale of illegal substances, or the presence of items of an explicit nature relating to pornographic material.
  • Alleged breaches of child protection issues etc..

2.6.4 The role of RSAs in relation to monitoring and promoting good practice.

All the stake holders in the Family and Community Resource Centre Programme have a role to play in bringing about the aims of the Programme. Therefore Framework’s support role at times will also involve elements of challenge, particularly in relation to the development of ethical practice and procedures, anti-racism, employment practice and support through crisis.

2.6.5 Feedback from Projects into Frameworks development.

As a learning organisation making a contribution to social change Framework is accountable to both the Projects we support and Tusla for the quality and the impact of the work that we undertake. Framework has stated that it is committed to building relationships with Projects based on partnership and this should be seen as a two way process.

Whilst the Support Agency has a role in promoting good practice with Projects, Projects also have a role in contributing to the development of good practice within the Support Agency through the following procedures:

  • Annual Review and planning procedures and Joint Progress Reports / identifying work for the year between Projects and Framework;
  • Through responding to any evaluation process Framework may make available.
  • Through accessing the Survey Monkey on Framework’s website;
  • Through using the informal / formal complaints procedures available if required.

2.6.6 Current support offered by Framework

Framework provides a programme of support to each Project that is based on the needs identified at Annual Review and Planning sessions. Set out below are the kinds of support and training that can be accessed from Framework.

  • Pro-active targeting and pre-development work in setting up of new Projects .
  • Training for new Directors recruited onto Boards;
  • Facilitation of ongoing Annual Review and Planning procedures;
  • Support in developing SPEAK evaluation structures;
  • Day to day advice training and technical support as required;
  • Support for development of sub-groups;
  • Recruitment Procedures;
  • Staff support and supervision structures;
  • Development of Terms and Conditions;
  • Support in managing crisis, organisational change and conflict;
  • Technical support in relation to employment legislation, financial and administrative procedures;
  • Support for development of compliance policies and procedures;
  • Inter-Project training events and support for local networking when required;

2.6.7 Support through crisis and impasse:

Where a crisis or conflict occurs in a Project Framework will guarantee confidentiality and promote this with all parties within the Project whilst dealing with any difficulties. Framework will also work with the management and staff to:

  • Identify the root causes;
  • Develop a strategy for overcoming the problems arising;
  • Discuss options with funders and have approval for implementing the strategy.
  • Identify other support needs if required;

Where serious and protracted problems arise Framework may also recommend that the allocated Support Worker carries out the support role with a colleague for a period of time.

2.6.8 Web site Advice Centre

Framework also have a comprehensive advice Centre with downloadable sample policies and handouts to both back up our work but which are accessible to organisations we support to adapt for their own use.

2.6.9 Back up of advice and information:

As part of the role Framework are obliged to give information on good employment practice, grievance and disciplinary issues, recruitment procedures, the establishment of good support and supervision structures, company compliance and financial management etc.. We also recommend where appropriate that Projects seek legal advice from their solicitor or accountant. Where a Project goes into a disciplinary procedure with a worker we will advise both parties to seek independent advice.

2.7 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

Framework are a Ltd Company with Charitable Status. We have a Board of Directors with 7 memebrs. The organization in recent years has been engaged in being assessed as an etheical good practice organization and has been successful in both:

  • Being approved by the Governance Code Structure and are now on the compliance data base;
  • Being approved by EIQUA QMark and are about to enter the second assessment process for excellent practice in organizational development.

Framework are committed to operating in a transparent and ethical manner and have developed over the years a set of internal policies and procedures that ensure consistant standards in delivery of support and a respectful, inclusive and fair organization committed to equality and social change.

Current Board Members are:

  • Casey O’Connor / Chairperson;
  • Mags Drohan / Director;
  • Marian Donnegan / Treasurer;
  • Joanne Galvin / Director;
  • Catherine Drea – Joint Coordinator / SW / Staff Member;
  • Caroline Kennedy - Financial Manager / SW / Company secretary / Staff Member;
  • Glynis Currie – Joint Coordinator / SW / Minutes Secretary / Staff Member.

2.8 SUPPORT TO WIDER COMMUNITY SECTOR

From time to time Framework is approached to undertake work outside of our main

contract, or we may put in a tender for a new piece of work. This is possible to

undertake given that funding cuts have created a situation whereby all Framework staff are

employed on a part-time basis. In addition we have a Corporate Responsibility Policy where

we contribute 2% of our time to pro-bono work.

Pro-bono work undertaken in 2015:

Pro bono work can range to anything for telephone advice / access to our website

documentation / face to face work etc. Organisations we have supported in this way in

2015 are:

  • Athy Child and family Centre;
  • Bray Community and family Centre;
  • Wolftone Community Project;
  • Knockanrawley Resource Centre;
  • Commemoration Committee, Tramore;
  • Community Gardening network, Carlow;
  • Yes equality campaign;
  • Imagine Arts Festival.

External contract work undertaken in 2015:

External contract work can either come through a request to Framework or is work

Framework has tendered for. All external work in 2015 was work undertaken through

requests. The following organisations / groups received support in 2015:

  • Roma Inter Agency Group / Waterford;
  • Cottage Autism Network / Wexford;
  • Integration Support Unity / Waterford;
  • Diversity Committee / Waterford;
  • MABS Committee Wexford;
  • Fettercairn Horse Project;
  • St Helenas / HSE Funded Family Support Centre / Dublin.

3. SUMMARY OF CORE WORK IN 2015

The following information gives a summary of work carried out within the Community and Family Resource Centre Programme in 2015. Up to October / November Famework supported 53 FRCs, we were them asked by Tusla to take on a further 2 FRCs, one in Wexford and one in Dublin. Work undertaken in these FRCs is not counted in the figures below.

3.1 OVER ALL SUPPORT DELIVERED

The following table gives abroad view of the overall support delivered to FRCs from January to December 2015

Table 1: The overall percentage of support delivered by Framework to 53 Projects in 2015

Table 2: Comparison of supports delivered to 53 Projects in 2014 and 2015

Comments / explanations

  • Annual Review and planning is lower in 2015 due to the fact that this table was completed in November 2015 and most Review and planning sessions do not take place till January – March of the following year;
  • Support for Financial Management is lower this year. 21 Projects (40%) were supported with this issue and the Financial Support Worker provided additional one to one / email / telephone or collective training to 18 of those Projects;
  • HR and employment practice issues are about the same, slightly lower than 2014.
  • Support for Sub-groups, induction for new Directors, Family Support Practice, delivery of specific training and attendance at Board meetings are all very similar as 2014;
  • However Governance and Compliance is higher as more Projects worked through the Governance Code Check list;
  • SPEAK is also higher as the Programme changed again in 2015 and Projects required additional supports;

3.2 DIFFICULTIES ARISING REQUIRING HIGHER LEVELS OF SUPPORT

Framework provided a more intense level of support to 25 Projects (47%) in 2015, some of the issues were carried over from 2014. However, some new problems have also arisen this year with different Projects.