WWA August Newsletter

Welsh Women's Aid Newsletter, August 2009

Cannot read this email, click here

Newsletter tools

Send us
enews feedback

f2f_WA Forward to a friend

Dear emma,

Welcome to the August edition of Welsh Women’s Aid’s monthly
newsletter, telling you about news from Welsh Women’s Aid, past and future events, information from our member groups and
much more.

Summer is here (well sort of!) and the WWA Violence against Women conference is fast approaching, with confirmed speakers and workshops from Amnesty International Wales, Gwent Police, New Pathways and BAWSO.

WWA are also busy recruiting 4 new members of staff including the brand new post of Policy Officer; and the proposed Routine Enquiry Domestic Abuse Pathway for A&E has been published, with a request for feedback.

INDEX

WWA NEWS                 CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICES                   TRAINING
DA IN THE MEDIA              EVENTS          NEWS FROM WOMEN'S AID GROUPS
VOLUNTEERS                 JOB VACANCIES

Welsh Women’s Aid want domestic abuse to be recognised as a gender based issue, with appropriate services and support to be available to women and children, resulting in the eradication of all forms of violence against women.

WWA NEWS

WWA Conference 2009
Day 1 - open to outside organisations
Day 2 - reserved for WWA member groups

Day 1: Violence against Women
Friday 11th September 2009

Speakers and workshops will cover topics including:

trafficking
violence against women in Irish Traveller communities
violence against women in BME communities
public protection & domestic abuse
sexual violence
legal issues

with speakers including:

Joyce Watson AM for Mid & West Wales
Cathy Owens, Director of Amnesty International Wales
Bridie Jones MBE, Irish Travelling Movement
DCI Martyn Dew, Gwent Police
Jackie Stamp, New Pathways
BAWSO

For more info or to book Click here.

Day 2: Fit for Purpose
Saturday 12th September 2009

Workshops will be aimed specifically at our member groups and cover topics such as:

Governance & trusteeship
Merging & partnership working
Tendering & commissioning
WWA membership
Accredited Service Provision
Ethos of WWA
Service delivery standards
Training

Click here for more info and to book.

Date: 11th - 12th Septemeber 2009
Venue: University of Wales, Lampeter

For further information please click here, or contact Emma
Harris on 029 2039 0874.

Back to top

Proposed Pathway for Routine Enquiry for
Domestic Abuse in A & E

Training is now underway across Wales to introduce the Pathway for Routine Enquiry for Domestic Abuse in A & E/MIU Depts.

With some units already implementing Routine Enquiry and others hoping to implement it from September onwards, it is hoped that the Pathway will be included on the web-based, Map of Medicine. This will enable better access to the Pathway and allow local variations to be included on the Map.

The Welsh Assembly Government is asking for feedback on the Pathway. Please click here for more info.

Back to top

WWA Recruiting NOW!!

WWA and the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline (WDAH) are currently recruiting for the following posts:

WWA Policy Officer
£26,016
35 hours per week based in Cardiff.
As Policy Officer for WWA your role will be to identify and develop strategic policy areas on behalf of WWA and its member groups. You will monitor key policy developments which will impact on women and children experiencing and fleeing domestic abuse, and the agencies that support them. Degree level academic qualification and excellent communication skills are essential for this post.

Click here for more info or to apply.

WDAH Helpline Manager
£30,546
35 hours per week based in Penygroes, Gwynedd
The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline, is looking for a dynamic, committed, forward-thinking female Manager to build on existing achievements and to further develop the service.

The successful candidate will have experience of managing and developing funded projects for vulnerable adults and/or children, and will be able to demonstrate an understanding of staff supervision and support needs. The ability to communicate in Welsh and English is essential.

Applications pack available to download from Tuesday 18th August.
Visit www.welshwomensaid.org and click on 'vacancies'.

2 x WDAH Helpline Support Workers
£19,998
1 Full time post 35
1 Part time post 20 hours (pro – rata)
+7.5% unsocial hours payment. Average 35 hours per week in shift pattern to cover 24 hour service – this will regularly include working nights, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Based in Penygroes, Gwynedd.

The ability to respond to callers in a calm and non-judgmental way is essential. Excellent listening skills are required as are tact, sensitivity and an ability to communicate effectively with different individuals and organisations at varying levels, whilst maintaining clear professional boundaries. Experience of providing direct helpline support and an understanding of risk assessment are desirable, but full training will be provided on acceptance of the post.

An understanding of issues surrounding domestic abuse is essential, as are flexibility in respect of unsocial working hours. The service offered is bilingual and ability to communicate effectively through the medium of Welsh will be essential for both posts.

Applications pack available to download from Tuesday 18th August.
Visit www.welshwomensaid.org and click on 'vacancies'.

Back to top

Comic Relief Grant's Strategy 2009-2012

Comic Relief have selected a number of focus areas for 2009-2012 which build on their previous knowledge and experience. They are also investing in strategic work that complements these programmes

UK grants programmes include domestic & sexual abuse; Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women and Young People Facing Sexual Exploitation or Trafficking.

For more information on the grants programmes and how to apply, please click here.

Back to top

Swine Flu information

Members please click here for information concerning the current swine flu pandemic, including advice to support services with regards to the potential impact of the virus on support services, such as increased levels of staff sickness, or absences due to caring responsibilities, school closures, etc.

It is anticipated that the number of people affected by the virus may increase sharply towards the end of the year, and agencies are advised to ensure that they have appropriate policies and procedures in place to prepare for this.

Back to top

Mark Saunders Solicitors e-mail surgery with
Women's Aid groups

WWA are pleased to announce that our member groups are now able to contact Mark Saunders solicitors with any family law legal query that their group may have.

Mark Saunders is a firm of solicitors in Gorseinon, Swansea, who are committed to helping women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. Mark Saunders have supported many Womens Aid groups in the South Wales area, and are also working with several domestic violence units. Mark Saunders help them in all areas of family law including children issues injunctions and divorce social services.

They will be providing advice via email-surgery and a phone advice service. The e-mail surgery will go live on the 1st September, look out for further information from Legal Issue Coordinator Nesta.

Back to top

Criminal Justice Link Service

The Criminal Justice Link Service is a new service funded by the Big Lottery, which is aimed at supporting anyone with a serious mental health issue who is involved with criminal justice agencies. The project employs four Criminal Justice Link Officers (CJLOs) who each cover one of the four probation areas in Wales. The CJLOs will provide advice and information, short term advocacy and support as well as a signposting service for individual offenders, family members and all agencies involved

The service can be accessed by individuals, their familes or support agencies. For further information and enquiries please contact the Criminal Justice Link Team direct by clicking here .

Change in WAG E1 definition

The WAG have stated that at the request of the Supporting People Information Network a request is to be put forward seeking ministerial approval for a change in the E1 definition, changing 'women' to 'people'.

WWA are drafting a response to this request which will be considered at the ministerial meeting, which once finalised will be sent to all groups to ensure that they have the same information locally that is submitted nationally.

Further information will be circulated to groups in due course.

Back to top

Welsh Women's Aid survey on WAG's draft strategy

Please click here to take part in a simple survey relating to the WAG draft strategy on Violence against Women.

Community Cashback System - vote for women's projects in Wales

Community Cashback is a new Criminal Justice System scheme in England and Wales which gives local people a say in how 4 million pounds of recovered criminal assets (for example, confiscated cash or property) should be spent in their communities.

You can get involved by proposing a project, or by voting for an existing project in your area. There are currently several proposed women’s projects listed that you can vote for:

North Wales

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASA)
Anglesey’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisor & Admin Support

South Wales

Swansea Women’s Aid Crisis Intervention Service
Bridgend Substance Misuse and Domestic Abuse Service
Women’s Service Portal (web-based violence against women project)
SaferWales Homesafe Domestic & Sexual Violence Project
One-Stop Shop for Women’s Services

Dyfed Powys

Move Onto Change (programme for men who have been perpetrators of domestic abuse)

For more information please click here.

Back to top

Downturn to trigger rise in abuse: The Crunch and domestic abuse

According to the latest report published by the Audit Commission, Great Britain will face a rise in domestic abuse, drug abuse and alcoholism as we enter the ‘second wave’ of the recession.

The report, which used surveys, interviews, case studies and academic research in a number of local areas in England, compared the current recession to those that occurred in the 1980s and 1990s and found that social problems that developed in the second wave of a recession correlated to the effects of long term unemployment.

Click here to read more.

Violence Against Women – a ‘hidden’ issue in rural communities

The results of a new independent research study, which compared and contrasted violence against women (VAW) in rural and urban areas was launched at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes’ AGM in June this year.

The research, which was commissioned by NFWI and carried out by the University of Bristol’s Dr Emma Williamson, found that women living in urban areas suffer as much violence as those in towns and cities but are less likely to think it is happening in their community.

More than 5,000 women took part in an on-line survey between November 2008 – February 2009 and over half of the respondents said that they had experienced violence or abuse.

To read the key findings and recommendations click here.

Back to top

Change of date for Legal Issues Meeting

The next legal issues meeting will be held on Wednesday 30th September instead of the 17th September. Further information will be sent to groups in due course.

Back to top

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICES

Child Trust Fund Top-up available from September

The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Dr Brian Gibbons has announced that from September, families across Wales will be able to claim the new Welsh top-up to the Child Trust Fund.

Click here for futher details.

Back to top

NSPCC sees increase in calls following death of
Baby Peter in 2007

The NSPCC has seen an increase in calls about suspected cases of child abuse since the death of Baby Peter in 2007.

Last year the NSPCC Helpline referred 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years. The Observer looks at some of the children who have been murdered or died as a result of abuse since the death of Baby Peter. (click here for more info)

Back to top

Child Exploitation & Online Pornography Agency
(CEOP)

The Child Exploitation and Online Pornography Agency (CEOP) has warned of the dangers of teenagers 'sexting' - when a young person takes an indecent image of themself and sends it to a friend or boy/girlfriends via mobile phones.

The loss of control of this image means they are liable to fall into the wrong hands. Research by Beatbullying found that that over a third of under 18s have received an offensive or distressing sexual image via text or email. (BBC Online, 04/08)

Read the full Beatbullying press release here;
Read full the CEOP press release here

Back to top

Inquiry Report into CAFCASS Cymru published

The National Assembly for Wales has published its Inquiry Report into CAFCASS Cymru. The Committee found that although significant progress has been made since the service was devolved to the Welsh government in 2005, this progress needs to continue with "added urgency".

The report also highlights the tension between the ‘welfare’ based environment in which CAFCASS is required to work and the ‘rights-based’ approach adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Committee recommends that Assembly Government Ministers address this issue in order to ensure that children in family court have a positive and child-centred experience in which their wishes and feelings are established and reported.
Click here to download a copy of the full report.

Back to top

Training / Courses

With the uncertainties around funding for Childwork in the current financial climate the following courses might be useful for WA Groups to attend:

Maximising Voluntary Sector Funding training
The 4-module Funding Programme helps participants to help identify, bid for, and secure funding for services. The content includes planning, writing bids, costing and presenting. Bookings are taken for the whole programme or individual days. It starts on 23 September. Click here for more details.

WWA Best Practice training
Welsh Womens Aid will be offering training courses for Women’s Aid to help them understand and achieve best practice in the National Service Framework Standards for Children and Young People. This course will be available later in the year.

Resources

For all of you who have had (poor) experiences of trying to access CAMHS for a child or young person might find the following resource useful:

Improving access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAHMS)
This guidance states how the 18 week referral to treatment standard applies to non-emergency consultant-led CAMHS services and pathways. The guide does not set any new standards or targets but shows how accessible low-wait CAMHS can be achieved and provides good practice examples.

The Children Act 2004 states that ‘Safeguarding Children is Everyone’s Business’. This training is available from Welsh Women’s Aid for all staff, volunteers and management committees in groups and can be delivered in-house. The aim of the training is to enable Women’s Aid groups to understand their responsibilities under current legislation and guidance from the Welsh Assembly Government.

For further information, please contact Cheryl Martin on 02920 390874.

Back to top

Meet the
Children Matter Team

Children's Services Manager

Cheryl Martin

Children's Services Development Workers:

Ami Wilcox
South Wales Central

Anne Marie Didio
South West Wales

Cath Roberts
West Wales

Christina Parker
South Wales Valleys

Rhiannon Edwards
North East Wales

Sandra Roque
North West Wales

Seran Davies
South East Wales Borders

“I like the children’s worker, she’s kind and I can talk to her about anything”.

TRAINING

Training is available to Women's Aid groups and outside
organisations.

NEW!
In-house SPriNT Refresher Training
Delivered by WWA

Who is the course for?
New staff/ volunteers who need to use SPriNT or any staff who feel that they need a ‘refresher’ on the SPriNT process.

Aim
To be able to go through the SPriNT process and understand how to add, amend and update client details within the database.

Objectives
By the end of the training, delegates will be able:

To login to SPriNT database

To add a new client

Make a referral for a new/existing client

To update client details

To allocate a client to a project/room/waiting list

Cost: £150 per day (+ VAT and Trainer expenses)

-----------------

New Rollling Programme

All courses can be provided in-house at a new rate of
£150 per day.

The rolling programme for training will start again in September, including training on:

Introduction to Domestic Abuse & WWA
Mental Health First Aid
Stop it Now!
Child Development
Introduction to the Law in relation to Domestic Abuse
Feminism workshop

PLUS...coming soon CRB form-filling workshops

For further information on any of the above training or to book your place please contact Becky Jones on 02920 390874 or log in to the members area of the WWA website.

Accredited Training

Welsh Womens Aid has the following units in the accredited training portfolio. These units are at varying levels, depending on knowledge and experience.

Welsh Womens Aid can deliver these units in house or by running a course, we are flexible depending on numbers.

Welsh Womens Aid has accredited trainers across Wales and can offer training at a local level.

Understanding Domestic Violence & Related Services
Domestic Violence Awareness
Understanding the effect of Domestic Violence on Children
Forced Marriage
Training the Trainer

Welsh Womens Aid is working with Open College Network Wales, the Scottish, Northern Irish and English Women’s Aid Federations to develop further units.

For more information on courses and costs, please contact Colette Morgan, Accreditation Project Co-ordinator.

Empower Coaching & Mentoring Services

Coaching is the most effective way to increase the potential of individuals and develop organisations. Empower has a team of qualified, experienced coaches who will help you to achieve your goals.

We provide:

Executive coaching

Life coaching

Mentoring

Staff mediation

Team building

Change management

For a full list of our services please visit the Empower website, email Empower or phone 01874 730067.


	WWA & DOMESTIC ABUSE IN THE MEDIA

Newlywed couple hit by forced marriage law - A young married couple who are being forced apart because of a new immigration law to protect Asian women from forced marriages could be thrown a legal lifeline. (Wales Online)

A review into the operation of the rape laws due to be announced today has been postponed amid a last minute cabinet rift between Harriet Harman and Alan Johnson and Jack Straw. (The Guardian)

Domestic violence on my doorstep - 'It is everyone's duty to help those suffering. But the assault of a vulnerable neighbour left me feeling I ought to do more...' (The Guardian)

ONE-STOP courts to help survivors of domestic abuse are to be rolled out across the country to encourage women to prosecute abusers. (The Sun)

An innovative way of tackling domestic violence is being pioneered in the west of Scotland. Strathclyde Police has set up a dedicated unit to target some of the region's most dangerous serial abusers. (BBC)

EVENTS

How should we most effectively tackle domestic violence, abuse & sexual exploitation?

CHALLENGING CULTURE AND ATTITUDES:
ERADICATING THE SILO MENTALITY

When: Monday 5 October, 2009
Venue: Royal Commonwealth Society, London

Issues covered include:

How best can we challenge culture and attitudes which allow domestic violence in all forms to take place?
How do we prevent violence and abuse in the first place?
How can we reduce women’s and men’s fear of violence and the disabling effect on many lives?
How do we identify early signs of violence and abuse and take action?
How can we make sure that victims receive consistent local support wherever they live?
How do we identify, protect and support children in violent households?

Plus much more...

Click here for futher details or to book

------------

Million Women Rise Camp 2009

August 21st 2009 -
August 28th 2009

The Million Women Rise Coalition and Women’s Land invite women and their girl children to join them in beautiful countryside in Ceredigion, Wales, to share time around the fire, singing, talking and making music together, and enjoying local walks.

There will also be time spent discussing the work of Million Women Rise and plans for the 2010 march.

You are welcome to stay for the week or a few days. At the end of the week, the WIT, Women in Tune festival is taking place nearby from Friday 28th – 1st Sept. Women are invited to continue camping if they wish to attend WIT.

For more information and to book contact Ange or telephone her on 07717579651. Registration closes 7th August.

There is also a Facebook page to keep up to date with news about the event. See the WWA Events pages for more information.

Back to top

NEWS FROM WOMEN'S AID GROUPS

	*Lliw Valley Masked Summer Ball*
	After the success of their Fundraising Masked Summer Ball in June 2008, Lliw Valley Women's Aid are delighted to announce that they will be holding a Second Masked Ball:
	Date: Friday 18th September 2009 Time: 7.30pm - Midnight Venue: Pontardawe Arts Centre, Pontardawe, Swansea Cost: Tickets £15
	Entertainment will include performances by Zahira - Amazing Egyptian Belly Dancers and Live music from SENSATIONAL female fronted band AMBER AVENUE. There will also be an Auction, Raffle, Buffet and Dancing.
	To purchase your ticket please contact Lliw Valley Women's Aid on 01792 869 480.
	Back to top Vacancies - Pontypridd Women's Aid CURRENTLY RECRUITING THE FOLLOWING POSTS: Refuge Support Worker 35 hrs per week Starting Salary £19,998 (Scale point 23-31) The post holder will provide support for women and their children living within PWA refuges, within the organisations and supporting people framework for delivering these services. Support workers will work towards enabling service users to move towards safe independent accommodation and reducing repeat homelessness, working within the organisations aim of empowering women and encouraging independence. The refuge support worker will contribute towards the management of the refuge. Click here for further details Back to top Peripatetic Support Worker 35 hours per week Starting Salary £16,278 (Scale point 16) The post holder will provide support for women and their children living within PWA services, within the organisations and supporting people framework for delivering these services. The Peripatetic Support Worker will work towards enabling service users to move towards safe independent accommodation and reducing repeat homelessness, working within the organisations aim of empowering women and encouraging independence. Click here for further details Back to top Outreach Support Worker 35 hours per week Starting Salary £19,998 (Scale point 23-31) The post holder will provide support for women and their children receiving support from PWA Outreach services, within the organisations and supporting people framework for delivering these services. Support workers will work towards enabling service users to move towards safe independent accommodation and reducing repeat homelessness, working within the organisations aim of empowering women and encouraging independence. The Outreach support worker will contribute towards the development of the Outreach Scheme Click here for further details Back to top
	------------------
	Volunteers are wanted by: Caerphilly WA Cardiff WA Torfaen WA Click HERE for more info.
	Back to top
	Women's Aid groups please contact *Emma Harris* with any news you wish to be included in the WWA newsletter.

Welsh Women's Aid is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 No. 23753R. WWA is an Exempt Charity.
VAT Registration No. 922 7943 07
Welsh Women's Aid, 38-48 Crwys Road, Cardiff CF24 4NN | Phone: 029 2039 0874 | Fax: 029 2039 0878
Email: info@welshwomensaid.org.uk
Freephone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 80 10 800

To unsubscribe or change your details please click here.