| Path: Home > Conferences > Archive > Jan 06 > Working Together |
Working Together for the Future
These events are now FULL
| Date | Location | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 17 Jan 06 | Church House Conference Centre, London | C12-61/01/06 |
| Thu 19 Jan 06 | Novotel Hotel, Sheffield | C12-62/01/06 |
| Fee: £20 per person (includes lunch, tea/coffee). Please note NIACE does not invoice for amounts less than £35.00 | ||
[Context] [Aims] [Audience] [Programme]
Context
In May 2004 the LSC published 'Working Together', its strategy for work with the VCS. The strategy was developed through consultation with the VCS and other interested agencies and is now LSC policy. It builds upon existing good partnership work with the VCS, particularly at local level, and offers a framework of priorities and actions for taking it forward on the understanding that the VCS is a key partner and contributor to LSC objectives. The strategy recognises that "the knowledge, creativity and sensitivity it can bring to the widening participation agenda in particular is enormously valuable", whilst also understanding that VCS organisations are both employers, with a role in workforce development, and a potential source of vital information and expertise.
Since its publication, implementation of the strategy has moved forward in diverse ways across the LSC at national, regional and local levels. Actions have included the creation of a new VCS contact role in all local LSCs, the emergence of local and regional LSC/VCS forums to guide and plan future joint working, the agreement of various local and regional compacts, and capacity-building activity, particularly amongst black and minority ethnic organisations, funded through a £2 million Capacity Building Fund (2004-05).
There have been and remain considerable challenges to face as well as some opportunities as the LSC begins to roll out its Agenda for Change. Strategic and operational changes within the VCS and the LSC are shaping what can be achieved, creating both constraints and opportunities and requiring those involved in VCS/LSC work to review what they do. For example, 'Working Together' preceded the roll out of the ChangeUp arrangements, and the publication of the LSC's Agenda for Change reform process, its funding priorities in 'Priorities for Success', and its plans for major internal restructuring.
These stocktake events reflect the LSC's continued commitment to its engagement with the VCS but also a recognition that the climate for collaboration is changing continuously. They offer an opportunity for both LSC, VCS and other participants to discuss together both the achievements and issues arising from implementation of 'Working Together', and to explore effective approaches for protecting and developing the many examples of good partnership working that exist between the LSC and VCS around the country.
_______________________________
Aims
To provide an opportunity for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to outline progress at local, regional and national levels in implementing 'Working Together', the LSC's national strategy for engagement with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).
 | To highlight examples of effective practice in LSC/VCS partnership working, particularly around the four key themes of the strategy: the VCS as providers of adult learning; VCS organisations as employers; the VCS as a source of expertise and information; and communication and relations between the LSC and VCS. |
| To provide an opportunity for VCS and other participants to comment on progress with implementing 'Working Together', both the achievements and issues. |
| To provide an opportunity for LSC, VCS and other participants to reflect on the best approaches to supporting VCS work with the LSC, particularly in view of significant funding, structural and policy developments that will affect future engagement. |
_______________________________
Audience
These events will be useful to individuals and organisations from the VCS that have a particular focus on learning and training. They will be of interest to LSC staff at local, regional and national levels with experience of work with the VCS and also those with a wide range of other responsibilities within the organisation. They will also be useful to stakeholders across the learning and skills sector with an interest in work with the VCS, for example from local authorities, further education and higher education institutions, Regional Development Agencies, Government Offices, and other government departments such as the Home Office, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Department of Work and Pensions.
_______________________________
Programme
| 10:00 | Arrival and registration (Tea/Coffee available) |
| 10:30 | Welcome and Introduction to the
Day from the Chair London & Sheffield: Nick Wilson, Executive Director, LSC Surrey and Chair of the LSC Working Together National Forum |
| 10:35 | VCS Overview London: Shirley Cramer, Dyslexia Institute and Chair of the LSC National Working Together Implementation Group Sheffield: Dianne Leyland, National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS) |
| 10:55 | LSC Overview London & Sheffield: Rob Wye, Director – Strategy and Communication, National LSC |
| 11:15 | Questions and Discussion |
| 11:20 | Tea/Coffee Break |
| 11:30 | Workshops: morning
session 1) VCS as a learning provider London: Tim Ward - Learning Curve, Norman Atkin and Sue Watkins - LSC Sheffield: Ray Begley - LSC, Joanne Guirdham - Trinity Partnership and Lynda Mason, Accrington & Rossendale College 2) VCS as employer London: Janet Fleming - VCS National Workforce Hub and Tony Skeel - LSC Sheffield: Janet Fleming - VCS National Workforce Hub and Fiona McManaman - LSC 3) VCS as a source of expertise and information London & Sheffield: Jenny Mills – Humberside Learning Consortium and David Windle - LSC 4) LSC/VCS communication and working relations London: Jon Thompson - LSC and Marisa McClelland, RAISE Sheffield Sheffield: To be confirmed |
| 12:45 | Lunch |
| 13:45 | Workshops: afternoon session (repeated) |
| 15:00 | Ways forward: questions and answers with panel discussion |
| 15:30 | Close of Conference (Tea/Coffee available) |
This programme is correct at the time of going to press. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend. Delegates will have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.
_______________________________