“You might as well build an abbattoir at the top of Pennywell Road: we’re being put to the sword”

Funding Cuts: When all else fails, order a report … or two

Campaigners representing local community organisations affected by impending cuts to Health and Social Care grants put their case for continued funding to the North West Localities Committee last week.

The projects were told that the Locality Committee is in no position to restore lost funding, however, and councillors committed only to call for reports into the EIJB’s grant funding process.

In particular, officers were tasked to look at activity (or lack of it) to support projects affected by discontinued funding since the decision was made in December. The reports will also analyse the funding spend to determine whether or not North West has been impacted more severely than other localities.

While it’s important that lessons are learned for the future, this action won’t help those projects who need support NOW, though: the Localities committee doesn’t meet again until 28th March – by which time projects will have had to issue redundancy notices to staff and, in some cases, look at closing projects down. Continue reading “You might as well build an abbattoir at the top of Pennywell Road: we’re being put to the sword”

UK “not remotely ready for Brexit”, says Sturgeon

Chaos, confusion and Uncertainty: Troubles at home – but First Minister flies the flag in the US and Canada

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today outline her position on Brexit and Scotland’s future as she addresses an audience at Georgetown University in Washington DC at the start of her visit to the United States and Canada. Continue reading UK “not remotely ready for Brexit”, says Sturgeon

Edinburgh Napier: Le Tour de Hack cyber event is coming to town

Students and young professionals join to shine spotlight on cyber security

Students and young professionals will get the chance to test their cyber skills when a leading industry event returns to Edinburgh next month. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier: Le Tour de Hack cyber event is coming to town

Young people invited to set out their future hopes for the Scottish Parliament

Young people from across Scotland are being asked to send a letter to the Scottish Parliament setting out their hopes and aspirations for the institution over the next 20 years. Continue reading Young people invited to set out their future hopes for the Scottish Parliament

Capital Carers AGM

Wednesday 13th February from 12 – 2pm at The Prentice Centre

Electric vehicle drivers can charge for up to TEN TIMES LESS than the cost of petrol

ScottishPower is launching an exclusive new tariff aimed at electric vehicle owners that allows users to access discounted charging during off peak hours, taking advantage of cheaper electricity rates through their smart meter for the first time. Continue reading Electric vehicle drivers can charge for up to TEN TIMES LESS than the cost of petrol

How are cuts affecting your volunteers?

Will the EIJB Health & Social Care funding decisions affect your projects’ volunteers? Volunteer Edinburgh is keen to hear from you …

Following the announcement of the successful applicants to the Health and Social Care Grants programme in December, we know that a number of previously funded projects were not successful.

While we totally understand the current pressures that these project are under at the moment, we are very keen to try and quantify the impact on volunteering following the loss of these valued and important services.

If your project is impacted by the decisions of the EIJB and your project currently involves volunteers we would really like to hear from you.

Please contact Paul Wilson by email here.

Childcare Academy Information Sessions coming up this month

Interested in a job in Childcare? The Childcare Academy could be for you:

THE CHILDCARE ACADEMY IS AN EMPLOYABILITY FUND STAGE 3 PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

·         Undertake free training requiring attendance of up to 30 hours weekly within a safe, friendly environment

·         Gain significant experience of working with children by undertaking a quality supported work experience placement within an early years care and education setting or an out of school care setting

·         Gain 2 Accredited SQA Units from the Social Services (Children and Young People) SVQ Level 2 Award

·         Gain employment in the childcare sector

·         Access a Young Persons Allowance of £55 per week for eligible 16 to 18 year olds (for a max of 26 weeks)

·         Access various Progression Routes upon successful completion

Our next Childcare Academy starts on MONDAY 4th MARCH 2019

Why not come along to our Childcare Academy information session? This will last approximately one hour and will give you the opportunity to find out what is involved in our Academy programme, ask any questions and take away an application pack.

·         Thursday 7th February @1pm

·         Wednesday 20th February @10am

If you would like to find out more, please contact Audrey O’Neill (our Communications & Compliance Officer) on 0131 311 6931, email audrey.oneill@northedinburghchildcare.co.uk

or: Liam Moffat, Training Administrator on 0131 311 6929, email Liam.moffat@northedinburghchildcare.co.uk

Liam Moffat

Training Administrator

North Edinburgh Childcare

18b Ferry Road Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 4BL

Tel:  0131 311 6929

Fax:  0131 315 4420 

Follow us on Twitter @NEChildcare

Like our Training Services on Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Edinburgh-Childcare-Training-Services/664092880377307

Registered Scottish Charity No. SC023245