Who are we?
NAVCA is the national voice of local support and development organisations in England. We champion voluntary and community action by supporting our members in their work with over 160,000 local charities and community groups. NAVCA believes that voluntary and community action is vital for vibrant and caring communities.
We provide our members with networking opportunities, specialist advice, support, policy information and training. NAVCA is a vital bridge between local groups and national government.
Our specialist teams take a lead on the issues that matter most to local support and development organisations. We influence national and local government policy to strengthen local voluntary and community action.
How do we work?
Local Support and Development Organisations (LSDOs) provide hands-on support to local organisations which provide services, regenerate neighbourhoods, increase volunteering and tackle discrimination in partnership with local public bodies; their work can be anything from offering general development support to groups, to specialist help such as funding advice or training. They can help you take the policies and good practice you get from Charity Builder UK and put them into practice in your everyday work.
To find the contact details of an LSDO near you, visit the following link to the NAVCA directory: http://webdb.navca.org.uk/home.aspx
More Help
Charity Builder UK offers you practical advice and in this section you will find information guides and links to help you with some of the questions we are frequently asked about. For further information on any of these areas visit: http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/
- Criminal Records
- Vetting and Barring
- Safeguarding
- Games 2012
- Community Sport
- Taking action on climate change
- Third Sector Jargon
1. Criminal Records
Applying for a CRB check
Organisations wishing to apply for CRB checks need to either register with the Criminal Records Bureau or apply via a CRB umbrella body.
Guidance:
http://www.crb.gov.uk/resource_library.aspx
2. Vetting and Barring
The new Vetting and Barring scheme is being introduced in phases over the next five years.
Peter Horner, NAVCA’s Policy and Communications Officer discusses the effects of the new scheme on LSDOs and local organizations.
More guidance:
Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) website, (FAQ page and resource pages). www.navca.org.uk/localvs/crb
3. Safeguarding
Safeguarding Children and Young People
The Government has defined the term ‘safeguarding children’ as: ‘The process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.’
More guidance: Together to Safeguard Children sets out how individuals and organisations should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Every Child Matters Safeguarding Disabled Children Guidance LSCB www.navca.org.uk/localvs/crb
Safer Recruitment
"Protecting children and young people from harm begins before a post is even advertised" says Dianne Leyland, NAVCA’s Children’s Workforce Development Adviser. She outlines four practical steps to create safer recruitment procedures when appointing staff and volunteers.
More guidance:
www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/safeguarding/safer-recruitment
Safeguarding vulnerable adults
Who is a Vulnerable Adult?
Some adults are less able to protect themselves than others, and some have difficulty making their wishes and feelings known. This may make them vulnerable to abuse.
The broad definition of a ‘vulnerable adult’ referred to in the 1997 Consultation Paper ‘Who decides?’ issued by the Lord Chancellor‘s Department, is a person:
“Who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation”.
More guidance:
The Safe Network (issues relating to children and young people).
4. Games 2012
Helier Cheung of the Olympics Executive Staging Team outlines ‘Inspire’, a new programme which harnesses the excitement of the forthcoming Games, promoting participation across many areas including sport, culture, education, volunteering, sustainability and business.
More guidance:
www.london2012.com/get-involved/inspire-programme
Or contact your regional Inspire programmer:
Yorkshire: James Tabberer, jtabberer@yorkshire.com
North West: Sarah Case-Upton, sarah.case-upton@nwda.co.uk
East Midlands: Emma Burke, emmaburke@emd.org.uk
Other regions: Inspire team, inspire.mark@london2012.com
5. Community Sport
Richard Baldwin, Chair of Community Amateur Sports Club Development Forum, looks at how recent changes in charity law should encourage voluntary sports clubs to register as charities, and outlines the financial benefits this charitable status might bring.
6. Taking action on climate change
Tracey Todhunter, 10:10’s strategy adviser on community engagement, discusses the role of voluntary organisations and community groups in supporting collective action on climate change.
7. Third Sector Jargon
NAVCA’s Communications Officer, Jane O’Connell, unravels third sector jargon with a comprehensive guide.