Letters: MYPLACE IS THE WAY FORWARD.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Ruth Fogg's article on Myplace is misguided (Youth Work Now, January 2009). In Aiming High for Young People, we set out our ambition for new places for young people to go over the next 10 years. Myplace is kick-starting this process, by investing more than 200m in projects nationwide.
We know that compiling an application can be challenging for some organisations. That is why we have made it a partnership between third and public sector partners. We have also appointed a Myplace support team who can help with the application process.
We also know that high-quality, smaller scale local activities are vital. So we have made nearly £80m available, as well as £22.5m for the 50 most deprived areas.
Beverley Hughes, minister for children and young people
VETTING SCHEME IS ROBUST
It is important to remind readers that the primary purpose of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme is to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse at the hands of those who work with them (CYP Now, 15-21 January, p1).
For individuals convicted of the most serious of offences, barring is automatic and no employer will be permitted, legally, to engage them.
For others with less serious offences, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will assess their risk in order to decide whether they will be barred. Where they are not barred, the employer retains responsibility for deciding if they are suitable for the role.
Registration with the ISA does not mean that the individual is necessarily suitable for all roles. It confirms that there is no known reason why the person should not work with vulnerable people.
Donald Findlater, board member, Independent Safeguarding Authority
WE WILL FIGHT FUNDING CUTS
In the 15-21 January issue, 'Recession hits the voluntary sector', I was quoted as saying: "The council has told us there will be a cut in our budget next year so something will have to go - if staff leave they may not be replaced".
It should have made clear that we will fight proposed funding cuts because, as the recession hits, the community will need more support.
I was also quoted as saying some families "are leaving the heating off", whereas I actually said they are heating and eating less.
Averil Schram, managing director, Millmead Children's Centre, Kent
The editor, Children & Young People Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP, cypnow@haymarket.com, 020 8267 4706
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