Events and Courses
Working in Neighbourhoods Level 2 Accredited Programme for Elected Members
As a result of the overwhelming success of the ‘Working in Neighbourhoods’ Level 2 Programme, we are delighted to now offer the third programme to Elected Members in the North West through the Member Development Gateway.
As it is a Level 2 qualification, this course is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at newly elected Members or those Members who are new to the role. It would complement localised induction arrangements for Members newly elected in the 2010 local elections. The aim of the programme is to develop the breadth of knowledge and skills that Elected Members need to help them work effectively and confidently within their neighbourhoods.
On completion of the course, participants will be awarded a recognised Level 2 qualification in ‘Working in Neighbourhoods’, which is accredited and awarded by the National Centre for Further Education (NCFE).
The programme will be delivered over five days in 2010, and will be held at the Wrightington Hotel, Wrightington, near Wigan. The dates are:
- Day 1 - Wednesday, 23 June
- Day 2 - Wednesday, 7 July
- Day 3 - Tuesday, 27 July
- Day 4 - Thursday, 9 September
- Day 5 - Thursday, 16 September
The qualification covers ten units, which are:
- Roles and Boundaries
- Community Engagement
- Leadership Skills
- Communication Skills and Information Management
- Organisational Skills
- Managing Expectations
- Partnership Working
- Effecting Meetings and Presentation Skills
- Working with Young People
- Working with Older People
There is a maximum of 12 places on offer for this programme. North West Employers is able to subsidise places on this programme from NWIEP funding, therefore places are offered free of charge to participants. Places are offered on a first come first served basis. Interested Members need to complete a short application form.
Please
click here to download the flyer, which also includes the application form.
Action Learning Sets for Elected Members We are currently holding two groups of Action Learning Sets for Elected Members. These are proving very successful and further details will follow regarding dates for the next sets to commence.
Network for Lead Members for Children’s and Young People’s Services The Children's and Young People's Services network meeting for Elected Members was held on the 11 February 2010. Details of the next meeting will follow.
The power of networking and sharing experiences and good practice cannot be overestimated in terms of supporting Lead Members. CYPS faces a number of challenges as the service becomes increasingly scrutinised and resources come under increasing pressure. In addition to these pressures CYPS is going through modernisation and transformation to ensure services are meeting the needs of its service users. In the North West of England there are 23 local authorities providing these services.
For more information contact the
Member Gateway.
Network for Lead Members for Adult Social Care The next Adult Social Care network meeting for Elected Members was held on 19 February 2010. Details of the next meeting will follow.
If you require further information, contact the
Member Gateway.
Celebration for the New Member Champions
The first group to successfully complete the Elected Member Champions' programme was awarded the BTEC Advanced Award (Edexcel Level 3). We are proud to say they are now fully fledged and qualified Member Champions.
To celebrate this fantastic achievement we held a celebration lunch to recognise and reward all their hard work and dedication over the past six months. Councillor Alan Dean was there to present the certificates to each successful Member and Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive of NWIEP, congratulated the Members on their achievements and for their commitment to their personal development in relation to their roles as Champions.
Liz McQue, Chief Executive of North West Employers, commented: "Highly skilled and motivated Councillors are crucial to councils improving the lives of the people in their communities. I am delighted that in the North West we have Councillors who want to improve their skills as Champions and their work has now been recognised through the achievement of this nationally recognised qualification.
"The first 14 brave Members have worked over the last six months to build their skills and knowledge as Champions and provided evidence of their work. It was great to see all the Councillors receiving their certificates. Updating skills and qualifications is really important for everyone and North West Employers and NWIEP are extremely proud that Elected Members in the region are leading by example.”
At the event we also launched the North West Member Champions Guide, which features not only a whole range of information about the role of a Member Champion, but contains six case studies taken from participants on the programme which showcase some of the excellent practice that has emerged from Members during the course of the programme. It is important that the learning from this programme is shared with all Member and Officer colleagues in the region. Copies of the Guide will be sent out to each authority and will also be available to download in due course from the Member Development Gateway. If you require any further copies, please contact the Member Gateway.
For further information, please contact Sue Baxendale at North West Employers.
Elected Member Development Conference - 11 June 2009
This conference was delivered to enable Elected Members to look at the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill and Duty to Involve.
The event built on existing best practice as well as exploring the continuing pressure on councils and Councillors to improve the ways in which they are working. It also provided an insight and examples of how Community Engagement and Neighbourhood Working can improve outcomes for local communities and improve service outcomes.
Speakers included Gerry Stoker, Professor of Governance at the University of Southampton; Dr Catherine Durose, Local Governance Research Unit, De Montfort University; and Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council. Dennis Reed, previously Chief Executive of the LGIU and a Councillor for eight years, complemented the conference by speaking
about community empowerment and engagement.
There was also the opportunity to attend workshops which provided useful sources of information as well as examples of innovative practice from across the North West region.
To download the presentation and workshops, please click below.
Main Presentation.
Workshop 1 - Case Study: Trafford Council Councillor Ward Information Packs for Effective Working.
Workshop 2 - Community Asset Transfer: Opportunities and Transfer.
Workshop 3 - CAA and its Impact on Councillors’ Roles and Community Involvement.
Workshop 4 - Case Study; Working to Achieve the Neighbourhood Management Excellence Award.
Workshop 5 - Implementation Challenges of the New Bill: Responding to Petitions and Promoting Democracy.
Workshop 6 - Participatory Budgeting.
If you require further information, please email by clicking here.