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Partnership for Young London's weekly policy update is a collection of policy news, opportunities, and an update on our events and work in London's youth sector. If you have any opportunities or work that you want to promote, please email update.pyl@gmail.com
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We will be pausing the weekly update newsletter next week ( week ending on Friday 14 August). The newsletter will resume on Friday 21 August.
What does digital access mean to you? Survey for care experienced young people
This survey is for care experienced young people who live in England. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the ongoing need for mandated digital access. We want to know how you use the internet and the issues young people may face with access. Completion of the full survey will enter you into a prize draw. We are giving away 6 prizes of £50 vouchers of your choosing. It will take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
“Free transport means everything to me”: Understanding the impact of the suspension of free travel on under-18s
 The removal of free travel will have an impact on how young Londoners access education, opportunities, culture, and society. However, certain groups will be hit harder than others. This report is the result of speaking to over 2000 young Londoners aged 16 to 18 and explores their views on the suspension of free travel for under-18s. We wanted to know what free travel meant to them, and the impact it will have on how they get to school, their families, and how they access the places and opportunities London has to offer. We found that over 95% of those surveyed were against the suspension of free travel and that, for many, it is a lifeline to them and their families.
- Over 95% of 16-18-year olds are against the removal of free travel, which will disproportionately disadvantage young people from minority ethnic groups
- A majority of young Londoners (64.1%) said that they were worried that their parents would struggle to make ends meet if they had to pay for transport (and 17.8% unsure). South Asian and Asian young people were the most likely to say that they were worried (78%).
- Over half (56%) said that if they lost free travel, they would not be able to afford to go to the places they want to go.
Read: TES - Scrapping free travel for young 'will hit education'
A New Peer Led Research Initiative Exploring Identity
A national project is now running across Youth Focus North East, Youth Focus North West and Partnership for Young London in collaboration with the University of Huddersfield. This is a youth-led initiative investigating how young people from different social groups and varied regions of the UK define their identities. The findings will inform the youth sector’s current and future policy and practice. A key part of this work involves an exploratory survey on identity with youth workers. It should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. https://younglondon.typeform.com/to/Hivl28. Your views, knowledge and expertise are highly valued and integral to shaping the programme of work. If you would like to know more please click this link for briefings on the programme.
Trauma informed practice training series
Partnership for Young London is working in collaboration with Nicola Lester Psychological Trauma Consultancy to deliver a series of webinars on trauma awareness, trauma informed practice, developing therapeutic skills for practice and developing trauma informed organisations. Each session is 1.5 hours and will be delivered online, presentation time is approximately 1-hour with time for discussion and questions in the remaining 30 minutes
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Thousands of vulnerable young people not visited by children's services during lockdown, investigation finds
Thousands of vulnerable children across swathes of London, including children at risk of harm in their home or community, were not visited by children’s services teams during lockdown. Data obtained from local authorities reveals for the first time the extent to which councils struggled to see vulnerable children in person during lockdown. Camden recorded a 75 per cent fall in face-to-face visits, from 4,762 to just 1,198, with Lewisham reporting a decline of 70 per cent. In total, six boroughs responded to the survey with full data sets, reporting an aggregate fall in face-to-face visits of 10,210, a decline of 48 per cent. The Association of London Directors of Children’s Services, said: “London boroughs recognise that Covid-19 disrupted community support systems and put new pressure on children and families, particularly those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds.”
Catch22’s national survey finds young people and frontline staff demand better protection
More than 70% of young people have seen content online that they’ve found concerning, referring to specific violent and explicit content, according to Catch22’s results. Young respondents have called for quicker responses to addressing harmful content, blocking fake accounts, and restricting use for harmful users. The survey, conducted between June and July 2020, gathered insights from 75 frontline youth and support workers and teachers, 22 young people, and service managers and commissioners nationwide, as well as researchers and tech giants Facebook and BT. Key findings showed that: 32% of young people have seen harm occur offline because of something which happened online and 73% have seen content online that they’ve found concerning, referring to specific violent and explicit content.
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London Community Response Fund
A new wave of funding has been announced from the London Community Response. Enable grants supports work that helps to prevent difficulties arising from the crisis escalating, and that enables people to emerge from crisis. Adapt grants help organisations to restart, adapt or collaborate for the future.Organisations can apply for up to £50,000 for grants lasting for up to six months, though it can be for a shorter period.
People’s Postcode Lottery
People's Postcode Lottery have opened applications to their Community Project Small Grants scheme, with grants of £500 to £20,000 available. They are particularly interested in hearing from smaller charities and community groups with a turnover of less than £1million. Deadline to apply is Wednesday 19 August.
Aviva Community Fund
In response to the Covid-19 Aviva are temporarily opening up the Fund to projects that will ensure organisations can adapt or maintain critical services and infrastructure in response to the impacts of COVID-19. Projects must still relate to one of Aviva’s key funding areas. Deadline is Tuesday 13 October.
The National Lottery Community Fund - Phoenix Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund has announced that it is committing £1.4 million to a new partnership with Global Fund for Children. The investment will support the co-creation and delivery of the Phoenix Fund, a new black and ethnic minority-led fund, that will support communities and BAME leadership practice in England.
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Partnership for Young London – COVID – 19 Updates
As well as the Weekly Update mailing list we have created a COVID-19 updates section on our website, and we aim to keep these pages posted on any specific updates that are relevant for the youth sector and young people. Including information on funding, online training and guidance. Please contact Rianne.Williams@cityoflondon.gov.uk if you’d like to add any resources.
Child Poverty Action Group - The Safety Net Is Gone
To understand the impact of child poverty on the lives of children and families in England better, CPAG, the Child Welfare Inequalities Project (CWIP) and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) conducted a survey of social workers between January and March 2020 to ask them about the experiences of the families they work with. Social workers were asked about the prevalence and severity of poverty among the families they work with; changes to the social security system and cuts to services, and how these changes have affected families; and finally how poverty affects their ability to conduct effective social work with children and families.
Recommendations include:
- The impact of poverty on the ability of families to support and protect children needs to be addressed across government departments, ideally as part of a cross-government child poverty strategy.
- The impact of the cuts to local government on the ability of services to support children to be cared for safely within their families and communities must be urgently addressed through the provision of adequate funding to local government and other support services for children and families.
The Children's Commissioner - Putting children first in future lockdowns
The Children's Commissioner has published principles and actions she believes are needed to make children's wellbeing a priority in planning for any future lockdown. Emphasising that schools should be kept open wherever possible, the report says this can be ensured during subsequent waves of Covid-19 by focussing on suppression of the virus within the wider community; giving schools extra help (both guidance and resources) to reduce transmission; and scaling up surveillance and monitoring of infections within schools. The principles include:
- Children’s perspectives must be better reflected in scientific and public health advice. Any measures implemented must take into account children’s needs and circumstances where they differ from those of adults.
- Education should be prioritised over other sectors: first to open, last to close. When only a limited amount of social interaction is feasible, the amount accounted for by education must be protected – at the expense of other sectors/activities.
- Any rights extended to adults must also be given to children in ways that work for them (e.g. the right to exercise, do sports or play outside).
- Communication about the lockdown must make clear that risk of infection should not prevent children and families seeking help they need, such as urgent healthcare which is not related to the virus or refuge from domestic abuse.
Buttle UK - The State of Child Poverty 2020
Buttle UK has published findings from frontline workers who have been supporting some of the country's poorest families during the coronavirus crisis. Observing that the pandemic has exacerbated problems for already pressurised families, increasing their isolation and magnifying issues at home, the report finds:
- On children's education: food poverty (33%) and lack of digital access (26%) have been the main barriers for families.
- On children's mental health: 84% of frontline workers have seen increases in children and young people’s mental health problems.
- On access to the basics: 57% of families could not afford essential household items; 47% of families were unable to afford food.
Centre for Mental Health - Covid-19: understanding inequalities in mental health during the pandemic.
This briefing outlines areas where serious concerns have emerged for individuals and communities with particular characteristics, including children, which put their mental health at risk during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Discusses access to mental health services, and women and children at risk of violence and abuse. Other topics covered include the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, inequalities including systemic racism, as well as trauma and grief.
Comparing policy affecting care-experienced young people in England and Wales
The National Youth Advocacy Service has launched a series of briefings looking at policy and practice affecting young people with experience of the care system, comparing support in Wales with support in England. The first briefing looks at youth homelessness and finds that, whilst the challenges of homelessness are faced by young care-experienced people in both England and Wales, there are several supportive housing policies in Wales that do not exist in England, including:
- Young people under the age of 18 cannot be classed as intentionally homeless in Wales
- Priority need in Wales for those under the age of 21 and at risk of financial or sexual exploitation
- Young care-experienced people under the age of 25 cannot be classed as intentionally homeless in Wales
Click here to see more COVID -19 related resources and guidance (updated weekly).
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Media Trust – Stronger Voices programme
Media Trust have launched Stronger Voices, a free six-month strategic communications capacity building programme for 15 equality organisations in London. The programme will cover everything from digital storytelling to Google ad grants and media training. Contact rabiam@mediatrust.org.
Eva Jolly independent Leadership Coach.
Currently working with a number of leaders, managers and organisations during COVID 19 to explore how they can best support staff, plan for workers return to work, consider the future strategy for their organisation, navigate the uncertainties of funding, and take the often difficult decisions that the current situation requires. An initial free coaching session via Zoom or Skype. To find out more contact :Evjo62@gmail.com or 07929774283 or 01634863895.
Opportunities for Young People
Sony Music - Sony Music’s 2021 internship programme
young adults aged 18 plus can apply to a 12-month paid internship at Sony Music UK. Sony Music UK has 27 spaces open across the business to offer inquisitive and passionate young people a spot within finance, marketing, content creation, brand partnership etc teams. Deadline is Sunday 16 August 2020.
Resilience workshops for young Londoners with the Fandangoe Kid
Thrive LDN is continuing a partnership with Hackney-based print artist, The Fandangoe Kid, to run a series of interactive online workshops for 14-25 year olds to explore experiences, challenges and issues faced during the pandemic and build resilience. Two new workshops have been added – please help promote to relevant audiences and organisations:
Young Innovators Awards 2020/21
Innovate UK is working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to find young people from across the UK with great business ideas. Young people can apply for an award to make their business idea a reality. The award includes a £5,000 grant, tailored business support and a living allowance. Deadline is Wednesday 2 September 2020.
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SALTO Youth- Intercultural Competence Training (ICC) on ESC
This online NET Activity will be hosted in HOP Online Learning Platform. The participants will have the chance of a training that would support them in exploring and developing their intercultural competence. The international team of facilitators will develop the content and activities of this online course. This is from 16-25 September. Deadline Tuesday 1 September 2020.
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You’re receiving this email because you’ve opted in to receive news from Partnership for Young London on monthly basis. However due to current events we have suspended our membership offer and we will now be sending the weekly update to this mailing list.
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