Bulletin for all Staff in Youth Connexions
Issue Number 1 11th January 2016
Please note: The staff website is at www.youthconnexions.org and many of the documents referred to in this newsletter are accessed on that site. To follow the links contained within this newsletter, simply hover your cursor on the link and press CONTROL + Click.
Please note that some documents sit within the password protected area of the website, and in order to access these you will first need to be logged into the site using your password. If you have forgotten your password, please click the ‘forgotten password?’ link in the login area on the top right hand side of the home page, and follow the steps to be sent a new password automatically.
Any staff who do not have access to the Internet either at home or at an office location can request a paper version of any of the documents referenced in this newsletter; please contact one of the following: Linda Hendry on 01438 843340, Julia Droy on 01707 292645, Helen Sutcliffe on 01438 843347, Tracy Walsh on 01442 454079 or Kay Smith 01442 454060.
To submit content for this newsletter please email to and
Contents of this edition:
Section 1: Action items and policy matters
1.1 New project notice board posters
1.2 New section on website offering support to LGBT+ young people
1.3 Matrix report now available to read
Section 2: Learning Provision/Opportunities for Young People
2.1 Apprenticeship opening evening – Stevenage – Aerospace
2.2 Oaklands College Business Administration Traineeship
Section 3: News
3.1 Leavers/Joiners/Congratulations
3.2 News roundup
3.3 ‘Get checked’ campaign launched
Section 4: Staff Learning and Development
4.1 Careers partner event at Oaklands College
Section 5: Resources and Information
5.1 Apprenticeships Update Newsletter
5.2 Skills support for Care Leavers
5.3 OFQUAL updates about GCSE and A Level reforms (updated Dec 15)
5.4 New pages for employers
1.1 New project notice board posters
A full set of new posters is now available for project notice boards. These should be used to replace existing posters on display. They can be accessed on the staff website.
If you have any questions please contact
1.2 New section on website offering support to LGBT+ young people
A new section has been added to the Advice and Support area of the Youth Connexions website, describing the support available to LGBT+ young people. Visit it here.
1.3 Matrix report now available to read
The assessor’s comments include that “from what has been seen over the period of the assessment it is evident that continuous improvement is a feature that permeates throughout Youth Connexions.”
The assessor’s report is now available for staff to read on the staff website. Please note that the report is for staff use only.
2.1 Apprenticeship opening evening – Stevenage - Aerospace
Date / location: Thursday 4th February 2016 - Stevenage
Time: Session 1: 17.00-18.00 Session 2: 18.00-19.00
The Airbus Defence and Space division of Airbus Group currently offers both Craft and Engineering Apprenticeships. This evening provides the chance to find out about these opportunities. Spaces are limited. Young people wishing to book a place should email before Monday 25th January 2016; they may be accompanied by one guest.
Email or call 01244 522111.
2.2 Oaklands College Business Administration Traineeship
This traineeship is for people aged 16-24 who are motivated to get a job but lack the skills and experience employers are looking for.
It is a 12 week programme, commencing 18th January, where they can learn:
· Commercial skills vital for work in any business
· How to sell and market themselves
· Communication Skills
· Tools and Techniques for persuasion
· Self-presentation
The 12 weeks will be inclusive of a 4-6 week meaningful work experience placement.
Costs of travel to the traineeship venue (Smallford Campus) will be reimbursed for public transport, according to attendance; use of the UNO bus is the preferred option, wherever possible.
Colleagues are requested to provide the contact information of any interested candidates to Stacey Murray, Business Development Co-Ordinator at Oaklands College; she will then contact them and discuss the opportunity further.
3.1 Leavers/Joiners/Congratulations
3.1 Leavers/Joiners/Congratulations
Farewell to:
Ross Laney, Apprentice in the Communications and Online Services team.
Victoria Blackford, Support Officer, Stevenage.
Sandra Dunning, Youth Support Worker, Stevenage.
Sharon Wallerson, IAG Team Leader, Hertsmere, will be leaving on 15th January.
Katherine Savage, Youth Support Worker in Welwyn Hatfield will be leaving on 3rd January.
Alyanna Miller, Youth Support Worker in Hertsmere will be leaving 18th January.
Joanna Conroy, Youth Support Worker in Welwyn Hatfield has taken up maternity leave.
Welcome to:
James Wright and Emma Batrick, both Youth Support Workers in Stevenage
Kirsty Sharp, Kate Stevens and Rose Gregory all Youth Support Workers in North Herts.
Kim Smith, Support Officer Dacorum & St Albans District
Shirley Gordon, Youth Support Worker in Hertsmere is returning after leaving for a month.
Helen Wolstencroft, Support Officer for Watford and Three Rivers based at Apsley Two
Emily Thomas, Support Officer for Watford and Three Rivers based at YouthPoint
Jill Dean, Daniel Borg and Harriet Farrer all Youth Support Workers in the Three Rivers team
Congratulations to:
Julie Saggers appointed as full-time Youth Worker, East Herts, effective 4th January
Linton Sutherland appointed as full-time Trainee Youth Worker, Broxbourne, effective 4th January
John Bristow appointed as Youth Support Worker in Charge, East Herts, effective 20th January
Yannick Mensah appointed to Youth Support Worker in Charge, Broxbourne effective 18th January
3.2 News roundup
Celebrating the Jubilee Year of the Duke of Edinburgh Award
2016 is the Silver Jubilee year for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Youth Connexions is celebrating the 60th year of this initiative with a series of experiences from people involved in the awards. Read the first of these here.
Candidates up and running to become Members of Youth Parliament
29 young people have registered as candidates for the 2016 Hertfordshire Youth Parliament elections which take place later this month. Voting opens 8am on Monday, 25 January and closes at 3.30pm on Friday, 12 February. All young people aged 11 to 18 who live, work or are educated in Hertfordshire are eligible to vote. Find out more.
Young people raised £1,451 for charity during their National Citizen Service programme…
Young people who took part in the autumn 2015 Stevenage NCS programme were just some of the many who took part across the county during October half term. Read how they worked as a team to make a real difference in their local community.
…and NCS graduates celebrated their achievements
On Sunday 13 December 2015 Youth Connexions held the National Citizen Service graduation event for 200 young people at The Forum, University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. One of the highlights was provided by NCS graduate Georgina May from Hemel Hempstead, when she addressed the audience on the impact that NCS has made on her life. Read the full story.
3.3 ‘Get checked’ campaign launched
Hertfordshire County Council’s #getchecked campaign is aimed at increasing the number of men aged 18-50 living in Hertfordshire who access sexual health services, and at reducing the number of STI/HIV infections among men in Hertfordshire.
The campaign is already making a difference, with over 400,000 digital impressions of campaign artwork served across various online channels resulting in around 3,000 clicks through to information about sexual health on Hertfordshire County Council’s website, hertsdirect.org. This is in addition to an event launch, media launch and outdoor advertising.
Colleagues are encouraged to support the campaign by helping to raise awareness. Campaign assets including posters, business cards, the campaign logo and an email footer as well as other literature can be found on hertsdirect.
If you have any questions please contact Rob Bacon, Health Improvement Lead for Sexual Health on Comnet: 54135 or 01438 844135.
4.1 Careers partner event at Oaklands College
Venue : Oaklands College, Welwyn Garden City Campus
Time: Thursday 25th February
Following a recent £7m investment at the Welwyn Garden City Campus, the College is inviting interested practitioners to visit the brand new Engineering Resource Centre, Dance Studio, Theatre and Learning Resource Centre. Attendees will find out more about the wide range of courses that are available, including Beauty, Business, Media, Engineering, Childcare and Performing Arts. There will also be information on Apprenticeships, Independent Learning Support, Student Services, how and when to apply and other facilities, including Media Suites, Beauty Salon and Student Lounge.
There are two half-day sessions: 9am -1:30pm and 12:30-5pm. Lunch will be provided and served between 12:30 - 1:30pm, with free beauty treatments and live performances as entertainment.
If you wish to attend please email or call 07743809517 with your full name, name of school/organisation, job role, which session you would like to attend and whether you have any specific requirements by Friday 12th February.
5.1 Apprenticeships Update Newsletter for December 2015
This is available in Countywide Resources. It includes the new Government Apprenticeship Vision for 2020.
5.2 Skills support for Care Leavers
Produced by BIS, this guide is available to download from Countywide Resources
5.3 OFQUAL updates about GCSE and A Level reforms (updated Dec 15)
These are available to download from Countywide Resources.
5.4 New pages for employers
There are two new pages for employers on the Info for Employers section (in Jobs and Careers).
The pages are “Want to offer work experience” and “Get involved with education – Work related learning”. They have information for employers about the different types of work experience and work related learning activities and how Youth Connexions can support employers who wish to get involved.
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