The Lancashire LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children Board) Neglect Strategy has now been finalised and approved and is available a new Neglect webpage. Visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk

The British Youth Council has published A Guide to Working with your Local Authority to Improve the Provision of Activities and Services for Young People. The guide includes details of statutory guidance for Local Authorities and explains how it affects young people. Vist: byc.org.uk

The HM Revenue & Customs has published the entry level guidance for charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) wishing to use the new Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS). There are also a number of flowcharts to help charities and CASCs work out whether they're eligible for the scheme and how much they can claim. Detailed guidance that sets out the technical detail and requirements under the legislation in more depth for charities with more complex arrangements will be published on HMRC's website in the coming weeks.

The government has announced that a wider definition of domestic violence, including 16 and 17 year olds and controlling behaviour has taken effect from 31 March. Young people aged 16 to 17 and coercive control - a pattern of controlling behaviour - will now be included for the first time. A joint Home Office and NSPCC young people's panel - made up of those who have experienced domestic violence - has also been established to help inform the government's work in this area.

The government has announced that it will publish a green paper on improving the safety and reducing risks to young drivers. The proposals will aim to improve training and lower insurance premiums. Visit: https://www.gov.uk

The Young Foundation, working as part of the Catalyst Consortium, has published From Growing Interest to Interest Grown: Is the youth sector ready for social investment?. The report argues that, whilst much of the youth sector recognises the potential of social investment, many organisations can not yet be considered investment ready. The report summarises the learning from 18 months' work with over 350 youth sector organisations.

ONE Lancashire is an organisation set up to transform and improve the infrastructure of charities and third sector organisations in Lancashire, this new organisation is holding a launch event on 16 April entitled '
Working Better Together'. Young Lancashire, together with other local infrastructure groups, is involved in the delivery of the TLI project and in the formation of this new body. Come along to the event and find out where ONE Lancashire is one year on and see what opportunities there are to get involved by working better together.

The government is considering shifting responsibility for youth policy from the Department for Education to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Education Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed. Visit: www.cypnow.co.uk

The Department for Education has published The Young Person's Guide to the Children and Families Bill. Written for young people, the report offers a summary of the Bill, making clear what will change for children and families if the Bill is made Law. Visit: www.education.gov.uk 

Community Matters has published the results of its annual survey of voluntary organisations working with children, young people and families. They found that funding (especially from local authorities and trusts) is increasingly hard to come by, but were reminded of the power of local fundraising and community donations to keep valued services running.