Projects & Activities

For Latest News, click here

 

 

for more information, visit: http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu/?langid=en
   

In the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, FEANTSA is running a campaign called 'Ending Homelessness'.  for more information, visit FEANTSA at: http://www.feantsa.org/code/en/pg.asp?Page=1252

 

report anonymously online at the Hands Off My Friend web site: www.foylemf.org/handsoff/report.phpAnonymous report
You can report as a victim, on behalf of a victim or as a witness

anonymously -

  • Phone: phone the free Hands Off My Friend support number:  Your info can be minimum as 'when', 'where' & 'what'  0800 032 0788
  • Online: visit the site's Report Page: www.foylemf.org/handsoff/report.php. You don't need to give any personal information - just click the answers to the questions and click send!
  • Contact  a local agency: Each agency offers help, advice and information. See the site's Agencies page for full listings and links: www.foylemf.org/handsoff/agencies.php

Direct Report -

  • This occurs when the victim decides to fully report the incident/crime. The police will investigate the incident and where there is sufficient evidence, will prepare a report for the Public Prosecution Service.
  • Visit the PSNI website for information and to report a hate crime:
  • PSNI: www.psni.police.uk/index.htm
  • PSNI Report Hate crime link
  • To receive Victim support for direct or third party report call the 24/7 FREE number: 08000320788
Definition
A hate incident can be physical, verbal or written including:
  • Violence or threats of violence against another person
  • Touching or assaulting that person
  • Verbal abuse, offensive language, name-calling and so-called 'jokes'
  • Offensive and obscene gestures
  • Theft or burglary
  • Destroying or damaging another person's property
  • Offensive graffiti
  • Hate mail, including letters or emails
  • Harassment, bullying & victimisation
  • Being refused service in a bank, shop, restaurant or public service

Using an individual's perception of the incident will ensure that stats are gathered on a uniform basis. This perception will be determined by the victim or witness. It will be their view of an incident and their belief that the incident occurred because of hatred or prejudice and was motivated by one of the considerations as listed in the definition above. Any incident which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be due to a person's ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, political opinion or disability.

 

 

 

 

***Latest news***

 

CHNI respond to recent Ministerial consultation on budget priorities for the voluntary and community sector.

On the 10th August 2010, the Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood, MLA, issued a letter containing a number of consultation questions, designed to ascertain the Community and Voluntary sector's views on budget priorities, how best to protect the vulnerable, and preserve the best of voluntary and community action.

CHNI invited its members to provide a response to form part of a collective submission. Our response, along with the Minister's letter are below.

CRISPP also provided a written response, see below.

 

CHNI Need your help!

CHNI need your help in putting together a booklet which will be presented to the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels in the Autumn of this year, as part of NI’s activities for 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. See flyer for more details.

 

 

CRISPP Sharing Schedule, Spring 2010.

Should any organisation want to add services they can offer, please contact us at our Belfast Office, 90246440, info@chni.org.uk

 

CRISPP Annual Conference - presentations

 

 

rough sleepers & street drinkers event in Derry

Working Together to Deliver Effective Services To Rough Sleepers and Street Drinkers

As part of the implementation of the Rough Sleepers and Street Drinkers Strategy for Derry/Londonderry, the Council for the Homeless NI and De Paul Ireland hosted a good practice event of behalf of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Supporting People. The event was held at the Everglades Hotel, Derry, on Thursday 15th April 2010. 

The aim of the event was to provide stakeholders with:

  • an overview of the Rough Sleepers and Street Drinkers Strategy  and progress on implementation 
  • examples of national, regional and local good practice in delivering accommodation and support services to those who are homeless or at risk from homelessness as a result of an addiction
  • an opportunity for the wider sector to discuss issues in delivering services to those with addiction problems
  • Workshops will focus on practical issues including effective partnership working and delivering outcome focused services

Speakers included (click on link for presentation):

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Hosford House new contact details

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Vetting & Barring Scheme guidance

Full guidance about the Vetting and Barring Scheme is now available for download on the ISA website at: http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/PDF/VBS_guidance_ed1_2010.pdf. This document contains details on:

  • The scope of the Scheme;
  • Barring arrangements;
  • Responsibilities and duties for both employers and volunteer organisers, and the duties for those employees and volunteers;
  • Timescales for the phased implementation of the Scheme;
  • Explanation of transitional arrangements around Scheme introduction.

The guidance also covers those areas where the Scheme does not apply and discusses the points raised by Sir Roger Singleton when he reported into the boundaries of the Scheme in December 2009. This full guidance release will be followed by a suite of 'sector specific' guidance documents, which will show how the Scheme will be applied in different areas of work and volunteering activities. Please circulate the guidance as widely as possible within your sector/organisation. Source: DHSSPSNI
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More on full guidance on Vetting and Barring Scheme for organisations and individuals. The Home Office has now put online full guidance to help employers and voluntary groups implement the Vetting and Barring Scheme. It covers every aspect from who is covered to how the process works and the implementation timetable. Organisations are expected to start at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/vbs, while employees or volunteers would find http://www.direct.gov.uk/vetting more appropriate. Hard copies of the guidance for those who do not have internet access are available via the VBS helpline on 0300 123 1111. Home Office news release at http://preview.tinyurl.com/yks84q4. Source: VolResource Newsletter No. 425   

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ISA fact sheets (March 2010). The ISA has created a series of factsheets (http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/default.aspx?page=303) to explain in detail why we were set up and how we work. These sheets are available to download as pdfs. Please circulate as appropriate. Note the following links will open in a new window as pdfs.

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More ISA Factsheets

  • Explains the background to the Act and some of the details within it: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo1.pdf - http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo1.pdf
  • Explains what the ISA is, its aims and objectives and its relation to the Criminal Records Bureau: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo2.pdf - http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo2.pdf
  • Explains the terms ‘regulated’ and  ‘controlled’ activities as they relate to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and to the work of the ISA: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo3.pdf -http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo3.pdf
  • Explains what the Barred Lists are and how they work, including how we make barring decisions and how to appeal: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo4.pdf -http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo4.pdf
  • Explains the new legislation that requires certain employers to refer information to the ISA and how we will deal with this information: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo5.pdf - http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo5.pdf

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Interim report on Common Monitoring Scheme. click here

CHNI response to Housing Bill Consultation. click here

new Homeless Street football league. click here

Click here

 

This page not only details CHNI current and forthcoming activities, but details our members' activities. Simply scroll down the page to view members' contributions.

CHNI's work - update of staff activities

For a snapshot of CHNI staff activities, click below:
 

Members'  / Sector Job Vacancies: none at present

CHNI Job vacancies: none at present
reachNI - a new consultancy service for Community & Voluntary Sectors
CHNI Youth Research launched
Common Monitoring of Homeless 16-25 Year Olds

CHNI general activities

Member general activities and events
 
Focus on Services

Unity Bank - Social Enterprise Bank - banking for charities and trade unions
Employers For Childcare

Current job vacancies

  CHNI job vacancies

none at present

 

Member's / Sector job vacancies

Vacancy details are provided by those member organisations recruiting. As such, CHNI has no input (or responsiblity) for the content of these ads. Should you require clarification on any of the detail contained in the ads, you are advised to contact the member organisation directly.

Organisation  / Project Job details & related
NONE

NONE

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reach ni

A new consultancy service for the voluntary &community sectors
     

 

CHNI recognises the the current climate is bringing some of the most challenging times for service providers.

We would like to make you aware of a new service - reach ni - where you can seek advice from a consultancy service that understands the voluntary sector and the very particular stresses on organisations.

reach ni is a new consultancy service for the Community & Voluntary Sectors.

Click here for flyer

to find out more about reach ni, visit www.reach-ni.co.uk
     

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CHNI's work - update of staff activities

Directorate

Director

 

Examples of some of the work, Ricky Rowledge (Director) has been involved in this month:

  • Ongoing work in around food sharing initiative
  • Speaker at the Cymorth Cymru conference.
  • Gave evidence to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Commission on the future of supported housing in Wales. 
  • Written responses to Housing Benefit Reform and Housing Bill consultations.
  • Meetings of Voluntary Sector Housing Providers’ Forum, CRISPP, and Multi-disciplinary Homeless Support Team Steering groups.
  • Meetings in regard to European Year combating Poverty & Social Exclusion with European Commission office
  • Met with Committee member for NI on European Economic and Social Committee.
  • Chairing Youth Scoping event, meeting with Private rented sector landlord regarding future provision and public private partnerships.
  • Planning CRISPP conference.
  • NICVA / SP / CHNI event in Ballymena on collaborative working
  • Meeting DSD regarding the future of PSI homelessness.
  • Delivering training with Margaret for EDACT.
  • Meeting Homeless link and NIHE regarding future of Vacancy Online System service.
  • Meeting Director of PHA re substance misuse training development.

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Deputy Director

  • Writing CHNI Business Plan
  • Ongoing one to one support to members / providers
  • Meeting with and assisting several member organisations who are considering collaborative working
  • Review and update of Maternity and Paternity policies with LRA
  • Delivered training as part of CHNI training programme
  • Funding application to EDACT for Healthy Eating Project for those with addictions
  • Business Plan Review
  • Working with Homeless Link on feasibility study and development of Vacancy online system
  • Attendance at Migrant Worker Thematic Sub-group
  • Attendance at Vital Links Project (click here)
  • Attendance at Housing Rights Service Committee meeting
  • Attendance at race & equality conference ‘Stronger Together’
  • Attendance at Migrant Worker related training
  • Met with NIHE Supporting People & NIHE Housing & Regeneration

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Development and admin team

update be added soon. 

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Training department

Please find below the training calendar*, updated for Spring / Summer 2010.

Belfast
Date
Session
Session Description
Mon 19 April
Tutorial
OCN Supported Housing
Wed 21 April
Training
Introduction to Schizophrenia
Wed 28 April
Training
Introduction to Personality Disorders
Wed 5 May
Training
Protection of Children in Supported Housing
Wed 12 May
Training
Challenging Behaviour
Tues 18 May
Training
Dealing With Diversity
Wed 19 May
Training
Interpersonal Skills
Tues 25 May
Training
Young People at Risk of Offending
Wed 26 May
Training
Support Plans
Wed 2 June
Training
Dementia
Wed 9 June
Training
Maintaining Professional Boundaries
Wed 16 June
Training
Service User Involvement & Participation
Wed 23 June
Training
Finance for non Financial Managers

North West
Date
Session
Session Description
Wed 14 April
Training 
Protection of Vulnerable Adults 
Wed 21 April
Training
Health and Safety  
Wed 28 April
Training
Lone Working
Thurs 6 May
Training
Support Values and Skills in Housing
Wed 12 May
Training
Protection of Children in Supported Housing
Mon 17 May
Training
Dealing With Diversity
Tues 18 May
Training
Interpersonal Skills and Motivational Interviewing
Mon 24 May
Training
Young people at Risk of Offending
Tues 25 May
Training
Support Plans
Thurs 27 May
Training
Planning and Developing Support for Housing
Tues 1 June
Training
Dementia
Wed 2 June
Training
Challenging Behaviour
Tues 8 June
Training
Maintaining Professional Boundaries
Wed 9 June
Training
Introduction to Self Harm & Suicide
(Assignment issued)
Tues 15 June
Training
Service User Involvement and Participation
Wed 16 June
Training
Introduction to Schizophrenia
Tues 22 June
Training
Finance for non Financial Managers
Wed 23 June
Training
Introduction to Personality Disorders
Thurs 24 June
Training
Record Keeping and Report Writing

*Please note, although the training department works hard to ensure that all dates, venues, tutors and courses are fixed,  CHNI reserve the right to change any aspect of course content as appropriate. We will notify you of any changes in good time, where practicable.

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Training Department (Substance Use strand)

  • In 2010 the Substance Use training programme continues to consist of a wide range of free training and learning opportunities for homelessness and addictions staff in the Eastern area. For example, in February Chris began to facilitate an OCN Level 3 Working with Substance Users course. Learners will complete this in April by portfolio submission. Also commencing in February were 2 bespoke training courses for hostels who will be working with injecting drug users in the near future. Each of these 3-day courses received excellent feedback from participants who highly regarded the involvement of service users in the delivery of the course. Chris also delivered a tailored 2-day training programme to users of Extern services. This was entitled Substance Use Training and certificated by CHNI.
  • Another OCN Level 3 Working with Substance Users Course will start on the 13th April. There will also be a Substance Use Awareness course on Thursday 20th May 2010.  If you would like further information on the above courses please contact kathyhenry@chni.org.uk.
  • Chris will continue to deliver bespoke training events in the spring to various homelessness providers on topics such as drug interactions with mental health, motivational interviewing, legal highs and prescription medications.
  • We have applied for funding from EDACT Small Grants Scheme to train those working with homeless alcohol users. We hope to supplement the training with a specialist booklet on nutrition which will aim to reduce alcohol related illnesses such as Wernicke-Korsakoff’s syndrome by improving the diets/nutritional intake of this group.
  • For more information / queries regarding substance use training and development opportunities, please email kathyhenry@chni.org.uk

Up and coming Training Courses, April-December 2010*
Date
Session Description
April 13th & 20th
OCN Level 3 Working with Substance Users Day 1 & 2.
May 20th
Substance Use Awareness Course 1-Day.
June 8th
Basic Life Support/Overdose Management Course 2 half days.
June 15th
Safer Crack Cocaine Course, 1-Day.
June 22nd
Homelessness & Substance Use Course, 1-Day.
September 7th,8th, 9th
Safer Injecting Course, 3-Day.
September 14th, 21st
OCN Level 3 Working with Substance Users Course 2-Day.
September 28th
Substance Use Awareness Course, 1-Day.
October 12th
Alcohol Effects Course, 1-Day.
October 19th
Substance Use Awareness Course, 1-Day.
November 1st -12th
Cross-Sectoral Placements.
November 2nd & 3rd
Screening Tools and Brief Interventions Course, 2-Day.
November 23rd
Best Practice Seminar (to be decided).

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North West Unit

  • We continue to provide valued support to our Member Organisations through one-to-one work. Bernie has been working closely with Sydenham House, and providing in-house training to FHASS as well as facilitating training provided up in our Belfast office.  
  • The CHNI/NICVA/SP Collaborative Working event on 18th November 2009 was very successful. The event was well attended, and the feedback from providers on the day expressed a positive outlook for the future in regards collaborative working. 
  • The next in the series of the Collaborative Working seminars will be held on 25th February in the Rosspark Hotel, Ballymena.
  • We just held our bi-monthly NW Members Forum on Friday 12th February 2010, in Foyle Haven, John Street Derry, and the next meeting is set to be held on Friday 23rd April at 11am in the Methodist Mission, Crawford Square Derry.
  • The Northwest office will be closed from Monday 15th March to Friday 19th March. Any urgent enquiries can be directed to our Belfast office on 02890246440.    

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  • Things remain busy as ever within CHNI’s Youth Department, with a number of key seminars and events having taken placed or currently being planned.
  • The Youth Homelessness Common Monitoring Project, commissioned by DHSSPS, DSD and NIO is nearing completion, with a detailed Regional Report due to be launched mid April. This report will contain detailed analysis of the 1359 Common Monitoring forms received and shall provide a detailed overview of young people’s routes into homelessness and the support and services they currently receive when in crisis
  • It is hoped that information generated from the study shall meaningfully contribute to current policy and service planning by providing an accurate and up to date picture of the nature and scale of youth homelessness regionally.
  • A Key Stakeholder Seminar Event for policy and strategic planners was held on Thursday 18th February at CHNI whereby first sight findings from the study were presented. This event was extremely well attended with senior representatives from Government departments, NIHE, Health and Social Care and Probation and Youth Justice Agency, Social Security Agency and Careers Service all in attendance. Wider dissemination of findings from the Common Monitoring study shall be undertaken by the project team over the coming months, with a number of Information Seminars planned for all key stakeholder agencies, where full findings from study shall be presented.  Further details of these events will be available shortly.
  • The Young Peoples Charter on Housing NI project is now well underway with a number of information sessions for young people recently having taken place. A  Young Peoples Core Group has been recently established who shall drive the development of the charter locally and a programme of capacity building and training for these young people is currently being planned.
  • We have also  been busy putting in place plans to involve homeless  young people more centrally in the policy and advocacy work we strive to carry out on their behalf and  we shall keep you up to date with how this is developing in future issues.
  • We also continued to advocate for the needs of young people via our active participation in key regional and local policy and planning for a, which this month has included participation in the newly established Regional Reference Group on the Accommodation and Support Needs of Young People aged 16 and 17 who are Leaving Care or Homeless, chaired jointly by the Regional HSCB and NIHE.
  • In addition we have also continued to assist and advise on key pieces of work aimed at improving the standard and quality of services homeless young people receive, including the regional roll out of the Joint Good Practice Framework for 16-21 yr olds who present as homeless and also the current work being led out by   DHSSPS in relation to the development of best practice standards for young peoples accommodation services.

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 Youth Department

  • Young Peoples Charter for Change on Housing in NI. Following last months away day to Limavady the young people involved in the ‘Charter for Change on Housing in NI’ Project have continued to meet regularly and are almost ready to embark on the consultation stage of the programme. This stage will see the young people holding focus events with 12 groups of young people from across the country, representing the wide diversity of young people within Northern Ireland. This phase of the project will allow a larger variety of voices to be heard and represented within the project. The young people have also been discussing plans to film a documentary style, video diary of the process and are attending media training around this over the coming weeks.
  • Regional Common Monitoring Study. This month we are busy completing production of the detailed Regional Report which shall mark the final stage of this important project. In addition we are also finalising plans for two stakeholder information events that shall take place mid April to mark the launch of the reports findings. There has been a lot of interest expressed in attending  the events and we are confident that a broad range of stakeholders will be represented , helping ensure as widespread dissemination of study findings as possible.
  • Regional Common Monitoring of Homeless 16-25 Year Olds in Northern Ireland Report. Key Findings Seminar Events: Belfast and Derry.  We will be hosting two invite-only events, marking the launch of a regional report detailing the study’s main findings. These are –
  • Belfast Area (Programme shall include Belfast, South Eastern and Southern area specific findings). Date: Friday 16th April 2010; Time: 10 am – 12.30 pm approx; Venue: NICCY, Millennium House, 17-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BA.
  • Northwest Area (Programme shall include Western and Northern area findings) Date: Wednesday 21st April 2010; Time: 10 am – 12.30 pm approx; Venue: Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane and Mall Wall, Bishop Street, L/Derry, BT48 6PU
  • These events will present key (general and area-specific) information collected via the study, and offer representatives from the DHSSPS, DSD and NIO an opportunity to share their response to and outline the strategic relevance of the key findings. This event invites key stakeholders in the planning and delivery of services for young people, and attendance is by personal invitation only.
  • However should you be unavailable, we are happy for you to nominate a suitable representative. Similarly, should you wish to be invited and have not been so, and for all queries relating to the events, please contact Kathy Maguire at 90246440 or via email, kathy@chni.org.uk. We thank you for your agency’s assistance and cooperation with the Common Monitoring Study and very much look forward to welcoming you at this important event.

 

  • Young Peoples Accommodation Provider fora. We have continued to assist and advise on key pieces of work aimed at improving the standard and quality of services homeless young people receive This month, saw the Youth department facilitate an Information Seminar for Young Peoples Accommodation Service Providers and other key stakeholders aimed at providing an overview of current key policy and practice developments in relation to youth homelessness and the development of a standards framework for supported accommodation services. This event was extremely well attended with presentations on the day from key representatives from DHSSPS, RQIA, Supporting People and NIHE. One of the key action points agreed at this seminar was to re establish the quarterly Young Peoples Provider Forum, which CHNI has agreed to coordinate. 
  • Arrangements for the first meeting of this forum will be publicised in next months CHINWAG

 

 

Information department

  • As well as ongoing information provision to staff, members and public; and information management, George Quinn, Information Officer has been
  • Completed work on NIHE 2008-2009 homelessness statistics – available upon request.
  • Developing paper copy and poster copy of Homelessni directory
  • Produced interim report based on analysis of questionnaire responses re. Funding SP Services. Provider survey 2010. This short survey of supported housing providers was conducted following the recent announcement by the NIHE that the SP budget was to be baselined for the period 2008/09 to 2010/11 inclusive. The survey was conducted on for CRISSP, the Committee Representing Independent Supporting People Service Providers.
  • Last month, we re-issued this questionnaire and set a reply deadline of Friday 26th March 2010. If you are in receipt of SP funding and have not received this questionnaire / are still to complete it, please do so. It is imperative we can provide a representative picture - in support of ring fencing and uplift in the SP budget - on your behalf. For queries, contact Majella – 71 366363, majella@chni.org.uk
  • Should you have any constructive suggestions / ideas for improving upon information provision, feel free to contact George at 90246440 / info@chni.org.uk.

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Directorate
 
Ricky Rowledge, Director.
ricky@chni.org.uk
Margaret Henry, Dep. Director
margarethenry@chni.org.uk
Youth Unit
 
 
Kathy Maguire, Youth Homelessness Officer
kathy@chni.org.uk
Sarah Kennedy, Youth Research Officer
sarah@chni.org.uk
Susan Duncan, Youth Participation officer
Training Unit
 
 
Yvonne Beggs, Training Officer
yvonne@chni.org.uk
Lesley Morrison, Training Admin
training@chni.org.uk
Chris Rintoul, Substance Use Training Development Officer
chrisrintoul@chni.org.uk
Kathy Henry, Substance Use Admin
kathyhenry@chni.org.uk
Northwest Office
 
 
Bernie Heery, Northwest Officer
bernie@chni.org.uk
Majella Quigley, Northwest Admin
majella@chni.org.uk
Other staff
 
 
Alison Upton, Development & Admin Officer
alison@chni.org.uk
George Quinn, Information Officer
info@chni.org.uk
Lara Bamford, Administration
admin@chni.org.uk

 

 

 

CHNI response to Housing Bill consultation

 

 

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Interim report on Common Monitoring Scheme

A Key Stakeholder Seminar Event for policy and strategic planners was held on Thursday 18th February at CHNI whereby first sight findings from the study were presented. This event was extremely well attended with senior representatives from Government departments, NIHE, Health and Social Care and Probation and Youth Justice Agency, Social Security Agency and Careers Service all in attendance. Wider dissemination of findings from the Common Monitoring study shall be undertaken by the project team over the coming months, with a number of Information Seminars planned for all key stakeholder agencies, where full findings from study shall be presented.  Further details of these events will be available shortly.

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CHNI Launch youth research

 

CHNI Launch of research report into the accommodation and support needs of homeless young people in Northern Ireland

The Youth Unit recently conducted a 16 month research project studying the accommodation and support needs of homeless people aged 16-21 year olds across Northern Ireland.

 
 


The research was funded by the NI Housing Executive and the Southern Health and Social Services Board, and consulted directly with over 200 young people about their views and experiences of supported accommodation and floating support services.

The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, MLA, launched the final document on The 26th November. 
     
The report is available upon request. For copy of report, contact Sarah Kennedy, Youth Department. Tel: 90246440; or by email: sarah@chni.org.uk  

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Common Monitoring of Homeless 16-25 Year Olds

Tuesday 1st September saw the regional launch of Common Monitoring of Homeless young people in Northern Ireland.

The Common Monitoring project has been commissioned by the PSI Youth Homelessness Sub Group, a cross-departmental, cross-sectoral Steering Group, whose membership includes DHSSPS, DSD, Regional Health Board representatives, PBNI, YJA, Education and Careers and other voluntary agencies. This sub group has been tasked with co-ordinating a detailed regional analysis of the nature and scale of youth homelessness and ensuring that relevant information be reviewed to identify themes, trends or important issues that may better inform strategic planning.

CHNI have been appointed to undertake the regional scoping exercise, the aim of which is to:
 
• provide definitive quantitative information on the scale of youth homelessness,
• analyse and outline the context in which young people are becoming homeless,
• provide baseline information on the needs of those young people vulnerable due to homelessness.
 
Furthermore, it is hoped the exercise shall provide an analysis of the structural and practice issues impacting on young people’s access to, and engagement with, services and begin to identify gaps in service provision for young people, in particular Early Intervention and Preventative services.

The project funded and mandated by Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Department of Social Development and the Northern Ireland Office, is Northern Ireland wide in scope and involves the collation of information on all young people aged between 16-25 years who present to agencies as homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness between September and November 2009.

The agencies involved in the scheme include:

• Local NIHE offices,
• Health and Social Care Trusts,
• Probation and Youth Justice Teams,
• Supported Accommodation and Floating Support Providers,
• Education and Careers Services
• Social Security Agency  and
• A range of other community and voluntary agencies, including advice and advocacy services.

Using a Common Monitoring approach, the process entails completion of a standardised form by all agencies when a young person presents to them as homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness.  A unique code is used for each young person to ensure accurate counting and the tracking of movement of young people through services.  The use of this code also allows each return to be anonymised, thus protecting each young person’s right to privacy.

The Youth Unit at CHNI commenced work on the scheme in February and spent time reviewing common monitoring schemes and forms already in operation across the UK, exploring the risk factors and early indicators of future homelessness and developing the research tools in consultation with our project management group and practitioners.  The scheme was piloted for one month in June 2009 in the legacy Southern Board area, after which the process was reviewed in close consultation with involved agencies.

Information and training seminars were hosted in June and August in preparation for this month’s regional launch of the scheme.  Following completion of the three month monitoring period, the findings will be collated and analysed with a report of the Northern Ireland wide findings produced and presented to both funders and participants in January 2010.

If you feel that this scheme is relevent to your organisation and you are not already involved, please do not hesitate to contact the Youth Unit at CHNI for further information.

 

 

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CHNI patron - a voice for the sector

The Executive Committee & Directorship of CHNI are proud to  announce that the organisation now has a Patron who will work at the highest level to forward our vision for the sector and the homeless in  Northern Ireland. MR Sid McDowell, CBE, Hon FIAVI, Hon MCIH, has  accepted the role, bringing to CHNI a wealth of experience. click here for further information (pdf)

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Member's / Sector activities

 

 
    New 5 A-Side Homeless Football League
     
   
  • When: Friday 5th February 2010
  • Where: Shaftesbury Recreation Centre (Balfour Avenue, Belfast)
  • Registration Deadline: Friday 29th January
  • The league will consist of 8 teams and will last 8 weeks.
  • Games will be played every Friday between 1-3pm at Shaftesbury Recreation Centre. 
  • Free admission.
  • Bibs and refreshments provided.
  • Professional Referees.
  • contact - Justin McMinn. Tel: 07704904714 or 90469791; Email: justinmcminn@hotmail.co.uk
    click here for application form

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Hosford house new contact details

Hosford House have moved to new premises. The accommodation provides for 11 Single homeless people with medium support needs. Accept self referrals and referrals from any agency.
 
Details:

Manager: Dave Newman
Address: 53 Cromwell Road, Belfast, BT7 1JX
Tel: 02890 238604
Email: (not sorted yet - will follow)

For full details on exclusion criteria, rules & regulations, staffing & support, etc. visit Homeless NI online directory: http://www.homelessni.org/details.asp?id=HO1008187

 


Volunteering with De Paul Ireland

please find attached a flyer outlining the De Paul Ireland volunteering programme (pdf 355kb, opens new window).

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Homeless NI website - directory of services to help homeless people

 

Homeless Northern Ireland is a new website that helps homeless people and those at risk of homelessness to get the services they need. It gives up to date information about 400 hostels,advice and support services.

What does it do?

You can search online to get full details from the website about each service to compare different options available and their appropriateness.It gives information about advice services,hostels and supported housing projects,Housing Executive offices,floating support,CABx, Jobcentres and other services for the public and particular client groups.
Homeless Northern Ireland gives details of who each service is for,how to contact and make referrals,opening hours and support provided.For hostels,it also includes information such as length of stay, facilities and move-on accommodation.

Who is it for?

  • Agencies and advisors in contact with homeless people
  • Homeless people,those in housing need or at risk of homelessness
  • Policy makers,planners and researchers

It's open access and easy to search.

How can I use Homeless Northern Ireland?

To get started,simply visit the site and click on Search all services under the Find a Service menu.
You can use Homeless Northern Ireland without registering as an individual user, but if you do register (click on My account to do this),you can also:

  • save your frequently used searches
  • add your own additional information about agencies as user notes
  • bookmark pages that you frequently refer to

click here to visit: www.homelessni.org or for more information, click here and open this flyer (PDF)

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New online housing advice information specifically for migrant workers

Housing Rights Service, Northern Ireland’s specialist housing advice charity, has recently developed new online housing advice information specifically for migrant workers.

Funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Housing Advice NI (www.housingadviceni.org)  contains over 800 pages of practical housing advice. 

There is now a dedicated section for migrant workers available in six different languages covering key areas including: renting privately, Houses of Multiple Occupation, discrimination and harassment.

 

 

other news

Promoting Social Inclusion - Employment Sub Group Of The Homelessness Steering Group. Report on the Employment and Employability Seminars. Click here (word doc opens in new window) 

 

 

 

 

Focus on services

 

Unity Bank - ethical banking for charities

click on logo to visit site

  

A bank borne out of social enterprise, Unity Trust is a specialist bank for social enterprises, charities and trade unions. When they first established in 1984, they put social change, social benefit and community involvement at the core of their business. Click here for Bank’s vision &  values

25 years on, Unity bank remains committed to ethical banking, social development and financial inclusion. Click here for more information on the Bank’s community activities

This hasn’t gone unnoticed. Unity Trust bank was recently ranked top for customer service for the 5th year in Charity Finance magazine's annual survey of banking services, and winners of Credit Today’s first ever Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) award.

The Bank’s shareholders draw from the UK’s main Trade Unions, the Co-operative Bank, and the NI Public Service Alliance, amongst others. Click here for list of Shareholders

     


 

For further information, contact:

Amanda Brobyn,

Development Manager,
Unity Trust Bank plc
PO Box 200
Newtonabbey, BT36 9BR
Email: amanda.brobyn@unity.co.uk
Mobile: 07885 844090
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Employer for Childcare Scheme

click on logo to visit site

  

Employers For Childcare (EFC) is a registered charity (2002) and not-for-profit organisation, who trade for a social purpose: to assist working parents by encouraging businesses to invest in employer-supported childcare.


EFC services help all working parents, both mums and dads, employers and childcare providers. The EFC ethos is: "To make it easier for parents with dependent children to get into work and to stay in work."

 

Employers For Childcare works in partnership with the business sector, government and childcare providers throughout Northern Ireland to promote the business benefits of introducing family-friendly practices into the workplace.

Free Childcare advice
EFC offers free childcare advice and information service to help parents with choosing childcare, geographical searches on local childcare availability as well as guidance with working entitlements, flexible working practices
EFC offers advice and information on;

  • Choosing childcare
  • Juggling work & family
  • Balancing family & finances
  • Savings on registered childcare
  • Online childcare database
  • FREEPHONE helpline 0800 028 3008

Employer-supported Consultancy
The Employers For Childcare Employer-supported consultancy service, provides member employees with the latest information on employer-supported childcare, via networking events and seminars, case studies and news updates.

EFC Voucher Scheme – a win-win situation
Employers for Childcare Vouchers Ltd, implements cost-effective childcare voucher schemes for employers. Employers For Childcare Vouchers Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Employers For Childcare to which all money is gift-aided to help run the charitable aims of the organisation. 100% of any profits are re-invested into the main charity.

  • Childcare Vouchers are a valid way for all working parents, both mums and dads to save money on registered childcare including registered childminders, day nurseries, creches and playgroups etc.
  • Childcare vouchers are available to all working parents, whose companies operate childcare voucher schemes.
  • Childcare Vouchers are not means-tested
  • Childcare Vouchers are independent of tax credits
  • Working parents can EACH save up to £99 per month  on registered childcare through exemption from tax and National Insurance Contributions
  • Companies which provide childcare vouchers for employees can save up to 12.8 % on the value of vouchers through exemptions from National Insurance Contributions (on vouchers up to the value of £55 per week).
  • EFC offer a comprehensive administration service. On completion of registration forms, EFC set up the account, handle all enquiries, and provide ongoing monthly administration. Additionally, they offer guidance for HR & finance staff, provide a comprehensive implementation pack, and an ongoing telephone support service for employees, employers and childcare providers.

For more information,

Employers’ Guide, and Employees’ Guide, or visit Employers for Childcare
     

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This remainder of this page is under construction.

It will detail CHNI's current activities, future projects, and will offer CHNI members space to promote new / current projects.