May 26, 2021

“Covid-19, like an X-Ray, has revealed the ways in which systems and institutions exclude people, and those people hurt the most. Drawing on examples from USA, Africa and India, I’ll suggest ways one can build back better by listening to those who have been left out”

As part of the continuing partnership between Leicestershire Cares and the UNAI SDG16 Hub at De Montfort University we are delighted to welcome Rakesh Rajani to give a keynote speech about international perspectives on #BuildBackBetter. Rakesh brings three decades of experience in human rights, education, governance and philanthropy in his role as Vice President, Programs at Co-Impact, where he is based in New York City.

Until 2018, he served as the Director of Civic Engagement and Government at the Ford Foundation, responsible for US and global programs on democratic participation, taxes and budgets, and protecting civic space. Previously he founded and served as the Head of Twaweza, an East African organization that promotes citizen agency and open government, and led/’ the establishment of Uwezo, Africa’s largest program to assess basic literacy and numeracy. Prior to that he served as the founding executive director of HakiElimu, Tanzania’s leading citizen engagement and education advocacy organization.

Rakesh is also a founding member and past co-chair of the Open Government Partnership, which seeks to restore the social compact between people and governments in over 75 countries covering more than two billion people. He has played key roles in establishing several civil society and media platforms in Tanzania, and consulted on global development for Google.org, the Hewlett Foundation, Hivos and UNICEF, among others.

The session will be chaired by Kieran Breen CEO of Leicestershire Cares.

29/04/2021
09:30 – 12:30

A one-day course
This online course delivered in real time to a limited number of participants, will offer the essentials of a trauma informed response in the context of the current situation. For most people, COVID-19 will be associated with increased uncertainty, anxiety and stress. Stressful and frightening events can create threats to our sense of security, feelings of grief, and loss of power and control in our lives. As the UK is in and out and will gradually start to come out of the lockdown, practitioners from all settings will be reconnecting with the children and young people that they work with. A priority at this time must be to try to help children make sense of what has happened in their lives over the past few months, and for professionals to be able to plan for easing of restrictions.

23/04/2021
09:30 – 16:30

A one-day course
Gain the skills to protect children and young people through safer recruitment. Organisations and individuals who work with children and young people, or are involved in providing services for them, have a duty to safeguard and promote their welfare. Having the right staff working in your setting is an essential element of your safeguarding duties. If you recruit staff and/or volunteers into the children and young people’s workforce, you should be trained in safer recruitment practices.

21/04/2021
09:30 – 16:00

A one-day course
This course compliments that on Child Development and looks at children as they develop into adolescents. This course examines the teenage years in terms of physical, psychological, emotional and social development. Examining the issues and looking at how that understanding can help with engaging with and affectively supporting young people.

20/04/2021
09:30 – 14:30

A half day course
A sound knowledge of child development is essential for everyone working with children. Having an underpinning knowledge about typical patterns of overall development helps practitioners identify where there are concerns that a child may be ‘off track’ and may need additional support to achieve progress across the different domains. A good understanding of development can help keep children safe, promote their wellbeing, assist in assessment, and inform which interventions/support is most suited to their needs.

All children have the right to live lives free from abuse and neglect but recent events highlight, yet again, how difficult it can be for so many adults to recognise, and act on concerns about the safety or welfare of a child. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all organisations concerned with children should work towards what’s best for each child. The Designated Person for Child Protection has a vital role within organisations helping to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place and that necessary action is taken when concerns about a child are raised.

Who the course is aimed at:

This course is aimed at people acting in the ‘Designated Person’ role working in a variety of organisations including schools, children’s daycare and residential settings, also services providing support to children and families in the voluntary and private sector. This course is also offered as in-house training, please contact training@childreninwales.org.uk for more information.

Tuesday 23rd March 2021

7pm – 8.30pm

On the anniversary of the first COVID lockdown, this free public event will discuss the impact of the pandemic in Rural Wales, how communities and public services have responded, and needs for the post-COVID recovery. Panellists will reflect on perspectives relating to rural business, culture, healthcare, public services and vulnerable social groups, with opportunities for questions and answers.

For more information and to register, please visit: Tocyn Cymru, CWPS-WISERD

3pm to 4pm Wednesday 31^st March

Join us and the Welsh Parliament to look at what the Senedd is and what it does, receive guidance for young people on how to register to vote and a discussion on why it’s important to vote in the Senedd elections.

Outcome: Raise awareness and support votes @16 and support progression routes for young people to join the next cohort of Welsh Youth Parliament Members.