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UPCOMING EVENTS

Understanding Poverty Seminar: Poverty and Ethnicity in Scotland

5 August 2011, 11:00 – 3:30pm

The Edinburgh Training Centre and Conference Venue

The first in a series of seminars, organised by the Poverty Alliance in Scotland, aimed at improving understanding of key poverty issues and how we can address them more effectively in the future.

The first of these will look at the links between poverty and ethnicity in Scotlan.

The seminar is being organised with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, who have recently published new research on the issue. The seminar will be an opportunity to discuss and debate the links between poverty and ethnicity, but also how we break them.

Speakers include; Dr Philomena De Lima (University of Highlands and Islands), Gina Netto (Heriot-Watt University), Dr Akwugo Emejulu (University of Edinburgh), Helen Barnard (JRF).

Please note that the seminar is FREE to attend and lunch will be provided. Places are limited and will be allocated on a 'first come' basis.

To register click here

If you have any questions regarding the seminar please contact kathryn.collins@povertyalliance.org

Benefits for non benefits advisers

24 - 25 August 2011, 10am - 4pm Glasgow

This two-day course run by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is aimed at professionals who work with low-income clients. It is for those who will not be advising on benefits themselves (e.g. social workers, supported housing workers, day centre staff) but want to support clients to maximise their income and signpost at the right time for more advice. It covers:

  • Benefits available to different client groups
  • Structure of the benefit and tax credit system
  • Basic benefit checks
  • How to claim and who to contact
  • Dealing with problems

  • Signposting for more help

Level Basic Tutor Moria Escreet CPD 10 hours

Course fee: £153 for CABx, £178 for voluntary and £248 for statutory.

For more information and to book visit the CPAG website here.

Welfare to Work Scotland Convention
5/6 September 2011

Glynhill Hotel, Paisley

The Convention provides an opportunity to discuss current issues, hear the latest ideas and analysis, debate on the latest policies and to consider best practice in service delivery to help people into sustainable employment in light of the changing UK political landscape.

Keynote speaker:

John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, Scottish Government

Chaired by:

Sally Magnusson, Journalist, Broadcaster and Writer

This year’s Convention takes place during a year featuring:

  • the Election of a majority SNP government in Scotland;
  • the Start of the ground-breaking, risk-taking Work Programme, ending decades of centrally-controlled programmes;
  • the Design of the Universal Credit as the UK government pushes ahead with radical welfare reforms

  • With Scottish Finance Minister John Swinney MSP confirmed as the opening speaker we can expect renewed interest about what decisions and organisations should be devolved to whom. In the Work Programme the DWP has already devolved lots of decisions to prime contractors.

In this year’s convention there’ll be:

  • diverse views about how to pull together the efforts of all agencies around improving both employability and skills;
  • debate about the key features of the Scottish approach to welfare to work;
  • opportunity to hear about what works and good practice;

  • time for participants to have their say in these vital debate

Confirmed speakers:

  • John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, Scottish Government
  • Breege Burke, Chief Executive, Working Links
  • Adam Sharples, Director General, Employment Group, Department for Work and Pensions
  • Paul de Pellette, Director of Operations (Scotland), Ingeus UK
  • Martin Sime, Chief Executive, SCVO
  • Rena Kinloch, Customer Service Manager, Scotland, Jobcentre Plus
  • Laurie Russell, Chief Executive, the Wise Group
  • Moira McKerracher, Assistant Director, UKCES
  • Dave Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive, Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion
  • John Dickie, Head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland

Conference themes:

  • Tackling Unemployment Scotland’s Way
  • The Work Programme in Action
  • The impacts of welfare reform

Who should attend?

  • The Scottish Government
  • Skills Development Scotland
  • Employment and skills providers
  • Voluntary and community sector organisations
  • Jobcentre Plus
  • Local employability partnerships
  • Further Education colleges
  • Employers active in providing opportunities

  • Local Authorities – elected members and senior officials

When does it start?

Registration will commence at 16:30 on Monday 5 September with the opening plenary at 17:30. The Convention will reconvene on Tuesday 6 September at 09:30 and conclude at 16:30.

Book Now

Click above to register or direct your conference enquiries to the Inclusion Events Team on 020 7840 8333 or events@cesi.org.uk

Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities coming soon or contact mintra.sadler@cesi.org.uk to discuss your options.