Bulletin May 2010
Dear colleagues,
First of all, it was great to see so many of you in Birmingham last week for Natspec’s annual conference. The timing was challenging to say the least, with some speakers operating, with some skill, under on-going post election restrictions. Nevertheless, I hope you found it informative and went away with plenty of ideas and a comprehensive ‘to do’ list. There certainly seemed to be an upbeat atmosphere – working in this field prepares you to be flexible and creative. I want to say many thanks to our key conference partners, TechDis, LSIS and Lifelong Learning UK for their continued support, to all our inspirational speakers and workshop presenters, to the exhibitors and to our event managers Istead, who make it run so smoothly.
Thanks too to Andrew Harris, conference photographer, for running the election for the Board of Directors, which turned out to be every bit as exciting as the events of May 6th. A list of the new Board appears elsewhere in the bulletin, but I want to say how encouraging it was that so many people put themselves forward for election. I hope it is a reflection of the importance of Natspec as the voice of the ISC sector that there is such enthusiasm to be involved. So thanks to all of you who didn’t manage to get in; it was a very large field, and I hope all of you will continue to support Natspec in other ways.
For those of you who weren’t able to get to conference, all the presentations are on the Natspec website at http://www.natspec.org.uk/natspec-information/presentations/annual-spring-conference-2010.html . We are really trying to make better use of the website, ensuring that presentations, event information and publications are there, together with regional information. All of this is on the public areas of the site.
Conference 2011 will be on May 17th & 18th. I still have to look at the evaluations for comments on location, but it is likely that we will go back to Aston, because we will get a loyalty discount which will enable us to keep the conference fee at this year’s price – an important consideration for college budgets. I know some of you would prefer London, but the cost would be considerably higher.
As I write, the much heralded announcement about £6.2bn savings has not given us the detail we had anticipated, other than the closure of Becta. Both the spending statement and the Queen’s speech, through the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill, indicate that there will be significant cuts in quangos, but as yet these are not identified. At the same time, many of the organisations we work remain uncertain about their future and unable to move forward. In the middle of all of this, learners and their families are wondering what will happen to them in September. So let’s hope there is a quick resolution to the current state of inertia, so that everyone can get on with planning and developing their provision to meet the needs of learners.
I hope the sun shines on you for the bank holiday
Best wishes,
Alison
Natspec requires a Company Treasurer
Applicants for this post must have accounting qualifications and experience.
The successful candidate will be expected to integrate the Treasurer’s role within their current organisational role. Approval by the sponsoring organisation is therefore essential.
Remuneration for this role is £5,000 per annum, plus expenses, to be paid to the organisation in lieu of the Treasurer’s time (the organisation may, at their discretion, pay the Treasurer). Previous experience has shown that this role requires a commitment of approximately two days per month.
Main responsibilities are:
§ To carry out all invoicing and payments on behalf of the association
§ To manage Natspec’s bank accounts and financial records
§ To maintain good communication links with the Chief Executive, the Chair and Company Secretary
§ To ensure Natspec’s financial procedures are robust
§ To ensure that accounts are audited and presented to members at the AGM together with the annual report and budget
§ To ensure the monitoring of short term financial performance
§ To provide a brief written report for the Board (two per term) and to attend meetings when requested
§ To undertake, with the Chief Executive and Chair, the forward planning necessary to maintain the financial security of Natspec.
For further details please contact Susanne Andrews, HR Officer at Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA, on 01691 661234.
Applicants should send a covering letter and CV to Susanne Andrews by the closing date of 18th June 2010, together with an endorsement from the Principal/CEO of their organisation. Post to commence in August 2010.
Natspec Board of Directors
As a result of the elections held at the Annual Conference, the Board of Directors is now made up as follows:
David Kendall (Chair) / Derwen CollegeTracy De Bernhardt-Dunkin (Vice Chair) / West of England College
Anne Price (Vice Chair) / David Lewis College
Graham Jowett / Treloars College
Caroline Smale / Henshaws College
Andrew Giles / Livability
Maggie Thompson / Bridge College
Amanda Quincey / Treloars College
Alan Robinson / Doncaster College for the Deaf
Mark Dale / Portland College
Michael Frosch / Ruskin Mill Educational Trust
Kathryn Rudd / National Star College
Chris Trotter / NCYPE
A further two co-options to the Board are available and these will be announced once they are confirmed.
Learning Disability week
This year, learning disability week is from June 21st – 27th, with the focus being on equal healthcare for people with learning difficulties. There is a campaign guide, including an easy read version, and a petition in easy read format. This seems like something many learners would find of interest – the information is on the Mencap website here:
http://www.mencap.org.uk/page.asp?id=9879
The enhancement of learning support
You will probably be aware that Natspec led a major LSIS funded project to research the CPD needs of learning support assistants; in fact, I hope that many of you took part in it through meetings or the on-line survey – thank you if you did. The reports from the project have now been completed and they are all available on the Natspec website at
http://www.natspec.org.uk/natspec-information/enhancement-of-learning-support-project.html
The reports include a summary document which covers the key findings and recommendations, the views of LSAs, a discussion about existing training and development opportunities, the views of learners (and an easy read version), a literature review and resource bank. Please do take some time to have a look through them – we have already received much positive feedback about the quality of the work and the importance of the messages. I am particularly pleased that this work addressed the neglected areas of finding out the views of LSAs and learners. Natspec hopes to have the opportunity to develop this work further in due course.
This update runs from 7 May – 24 May 2010. In this edition you will find the latest sector relevant policy news, including:
· Stop press - Details of £6.2 billion cuts in spending in 2010-11;
· David Willetts MP delivers his first speech as Minister for Universities and Science;
· Details of government ministers and their responsibilities; and
· A report from Office for Fair Access report on widening access to universities.
Technology and Quality Improvement in ISCs
LSIS Programme area:
Leadership and e-learning
Who is it for?
You are a senior manager or leader with the remit to influence change in your organisation, or a manger seeking to develop a leadership role.
Name of Programme:
Technologyand Quality Improvement in ISCs
Type of Organisation/stage or rating of organisation:
Independent Specialist Colleges for students with complex disabilities and / or learning difficulties
Type of delivery: Presentations from sector leaders; reflection in pairs or small groups; participants will prepare and present of an aspect of strategy development
Purpose:
This is a two-day training and development opportunity for leaders and managers in independent specialist colleges aimed at college principals, chief executives, and senior managers who have responsibility for learning and curriculum delivery, infrastructure and connectivity, and management information systems (MIS).
The focus of the programme is on the need for strategic leadership that recognises and addresses the interdependence of the different aspects of technology use across the college: curriculum delivery, MIS and IT infrastructure.
The programme aims to support organisation wide strategy development in the use of technology, and to develop and enhance the leadership skills needed to devise and implement an integrated technology strategy.
The programme features presentations from sector leaders on issues such as innovation in curriculum delivery and the use of MIS, system resilience and workforce training in technology. There are opportunities for reflection, for networking and learning from colleagues, which culminate in a workshop session where participants present an aspect of strategy development in action learning set style groups.
Links to any other programmes or services:
Other LSIS programmes from the leadership and e-learning team provide effective progression for participants in this programme. These include Leading Change for Digital Dividends, eQUIP and Collaborative Leadership Skills
Any other information:
Informationabout allLeadership and e-learning courses (PDF, 1MB)is available to download
To enrol please go to www.lsis.org.uk/enrol
Testimonials/quotes:
“Well organised and constructive day.”
“The programme has been a valuable experience. It has been reassuring to share the challenges that we face.”
“The presentation workshop was a very useful medium to explore this.”
“Well-presented workshops. Quality speakers who disseminated their enthusiasm and promoted it amongst others.”
“Overall, an excellently organised day – very informative and worthwhile – lots to take away.”
“Inspiring and motivating in taking IT forward within my organisation.”
“The day was a very interesting experience. Networking was a very important aspect and the sharing of good practice and ideas.”
“Practical applications of technology in colleges with students are inspirational.”
CDC Equality Act seminar - 5 July 2010
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC)is the umbrella body for the disabled children's sector in England. CDC have organised this unique seminar to explore both the legal and practical implications of the Equality Act 2010. This seminar has been developed in response to colleagues from the sector identifying a general lack of information on what the Equality Act will mean for disabled children, young people and their families.
Why Attend?
The Equality Act is a significant piece of legislation which will bring in some major changes to disability discrimination law including: new protection for parents and carers; a change in duties for schools regarding 'reasonable adjustments'; and a change in the way public bodies are required to promote disability equality. It is important that the third sector is aware of these changes and this seminar has been designed specifically for the disabled children's sector.
During the seminar participants will:
* gain a clear understanding of the legal changes that the Equality Act will bring in and look at how the law might be used in practice;
* learn about the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in relation to monitoring the Equality
Act; and
* explore what the public sector duties might look like and find out ways to influence their development.
How to Book
This seminar is open to all interested in the Equality Act 2010. Tickets cost £80 per person, book your place online today. This fee reflects your status as CDC and/or network members and a discount has been factored in. Places are awarded on a first come, first served basis - don't miss out.
For any enquiries email Louisa Imanene on or call 020 7843 1900 or visit the event web page.
Further Information
The Equality Act 2010 will replace the Disability Discrimination Act with the majority of the provisions coming into force on 1 October 2010. This Act brings disability, sex, race and other grounds of discrimination into one streamlined piece of legislation. It is designed to strengthen the law, giving individuals greater protection from unfair discrimination and make it easier for employers and companies to understand their responsibilities. The full Act can be downloaded. (warning 251 pages!)
Autism Act seminar - 29 June 2010
Preparing for and implementing the adult autism strategy under the Autism Act
29 June 2010, ORT House Conference Centre, London NW1
The Autism Act was the first piece of legislation designed to set out the requirements and provisions for adults with autism. The strategy paper published in March and delivery guidelines published in April, set out a number of key areas where local authorities and other service deliverers will be required to act. A further guidance paper will be published in December 2010 to assist local authorities and primary care trusts to implement strategy. There is a statutory requirement for this to be rolled out at a local level, with a focus on key areas such as health, social care, employment, training and housing.
This conference, organised by Pavillion, looks at the likely future demand for services, the areas around which the strategy is focused, next steps and a case study highlighting best practice and a service of excellence already in operation. There will also be an exploration of the commissioning process for local level services.
The conference will include a workshop on transition, led by Lucia Winters and Keith Clements from the National Transition Support Team for the AHDC Transition Support Programme.
For further information visit Pavillion's website.
Educationally supported young people: post 16 transitions
This is a national conference to look at the impact of the new arrangements. There is a wide range of speakers, including Natspec’s Chief Executive, Alison Boulton. Alison will be using this conference to promote the achievements of our learners, with reference to the recent leaflet ‘Celebrating Achievements’. Please note that Natspec members have a 15% discount for this event; just make a note of this on the registration form when you complete it.
National Occupational Standards for Learning and Development.
We are pleased to inform you that the final approved version of the standards is now available. The National Occupational Standards have been published on the UK online occupational standards directory at www.ukstandards.co.uk. You can find and download the standards using this direct link: http://tiny.cc/LaD_NOS.