Barnardos are holding a full day workshop on the' Social Return on Investment'. It's an opportunity for those of you who are involved in supporting local organisations and would be interested in them cascading this training and the tools provided in your local areas. The workshop is on the 21st July from 9.30am-4.00pm at the Barnardos NW Regional office in Liverpool. For more information and to book on  please see attached. Please note closing date for applications is the 7th July.

Small Sparks is a local funding scheme to help the citizens of Lancashire to:

• Improve your health and well-being
• Improve your quality of life
• Make a positive contribution to our local community
• Increase choice and control to help meet your needs
• Support freedom from discrimination and harassment
• Support economic wellbeing
• Maintain dignity and respect 

How much money can I apply for from Small Sparks?

Following the 'Get On Your Soap Box' training held on the 25th May at The Barton Grange Hotel. We are pleased to give very positive feedback from the day.  The training was available for any member of the sector currently fulfilling a representation role either at county or a district level within the Children's Trust arrangements..

A report was commissioned by the Directorate for Children and Young People to review the effectiveness and implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process across Lancashire.

NBC Universal is casting 16 to 18 year olds for a BBC show about teenage styles and interests. If you know of anyone who might be interested, pay a visit to: Teen Scenes for further information and to find out how to apply.

Rain Tax Exemption Becomes Law. Legislation that will spare thousands of charities, churches and sports clubs from huge water bills was passed in April, after a two-year national campaign led by the Scout Association and churches.

Last summer DeMontfort University undertook phase 1 of an inquiry into the “challenges and dilemmas facing providers of youth work services as they respond to changing policy initiatives”, called “Squaring the Circle”. They are about to undertake phase 2 and Lancashire has been selected as a participating authority.

The Children's Trust, in partnership with the Voluntary Community Faith Sector (Third Sector Lancashire) has produced a guide to the new Vetting and Barring Scheme, which is planned to be launched in July. Note: This guide has been temporarily withdrawn subject to changes on the guidance following the election of the new Government.

LV= (Liverpool Victoria), has published research that has found that 60% of young people aged 15 and under are not allowed to use public transport on their own, 24% are forbidden stay over at a friend’s house. In contrast only 4% of today’s adults say they were banned from sleeping-over when they were 15 or younger, only 2% were forbidden to use public transport. Read the findings here.

For the very latest on who has which job in the new Government visit: BBC Politics. Key politicians in the Department for Education: Secretary of State - Michael Gove (Conservative) Born in 1967, the former Times journalist is a key member of David Cameron's inner circle who helps write many of his speeches.