The aim of Sure Start is to give very young children (from pre-birth to 3 years) the best possible start by working closely with parents and other local authority, health and voluntary agencies to provide a more cohesive service for parent and child in a non-stigmatising way. Through the provision of a range of services provided in each locality we hope to improve children’s social and emotional development, their health and their ability to learn and to strengthen families and communities.  Website

Administration Support Worker (25 hours per week)  Salary £16,047 – £16,710 (pro-rata)

We are looking for a well organised and enthusiastic individual to join the team in our Edinburgh office.  You should possess confidence and the ability to multi-task, have excellent communication skills, be a great team player and have a good knowledge of Microsoft Office.  Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, British Sign Language is essential.

For an informal discussion on the Administration Support Worker post, contact Isabel Hamilton, Finance Manager on i.hamilton@deafaction.org or 0131 556 3128

Closing date for applications: Friday 18th May 2012

Application packs are available from: Lisa Roy, Deaf Action Head Office, 49 Albany Street, Edinburgh EH1 3QY,

Tel: 0131 556 3128 Fax: 0131 557 8283 Text: 0131 557 0419

SMS: 07775 620757  Email: admin@deafaction.org   www.deafaction.org         

PVG checks will be requested.  Applications welcome from all sections of the community.  We expect you will share our commitment to the core values of Deaf Action.  British Sign Language training will be provided if necessary.

Some of you may be interested in the free Conference being hosted by Education Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday, 16th June: “Reading – What’s my role?: Once children have mastered the basics of learning to read, many parents are concerned about how best to develop their child’s skills and encourage a love of books… The conference will explore some of the perceived barriers to reading and discuss how parents can best support their children.”  Nicola Morgan, the award-winning author and an Ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland, will deliver the keynote address. More information about this and details on how to register can be found at:http://newsletters-ltscotland.org.uk/t/LQE-SF8G-BA49RS8617/cr.aspx

There is also lots more information about forthcoming events etc. on the Dyslexia Scotland website www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk.  We look forward to seeing you at our next Open Meeting but if you need any more information in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us or call the Dyslexia Scotland Helpline on 0844 800 84 84.

Disability Living Allowance

Carer’s Allowance

Housing Benefit

Employment Support Allowance

Tax Credits

Income Support

Income-based Job Seekers Allowance

The Poverty Alliance can come along to one of your regular meetings over 2012 – 2013 or will organise a separate gathering for you, your friends or colleagues.  This is an opportunity to find out how you and others may be affected, where to go for support, and how (if desired) you can speak out about the impact of the changes!  Please contact Lynn Law on 0131 225 8508 / 07760 753 039 / lynn.law@povertyalliance.org to find out more.

As part of this initiative there is a Community Reference Group working alongside the Council as ‘co-producers’ of their Anti-Poverty Strategy, meeting monthly over 2012 – 2013.  This Group is an exciting opportunity to be directly involved in policy decisions affecting communities across West Lothian while you strengthen the Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Workshops specific to the Anti-Poverty Strategy will continue with any interested groups over 2012 – 2013 so there are ongoing opportunities to let your voice be heard or to join the Community Reference Group.  You do not have to have participated in a workshop to join this Group.  All you need is a desire for positive change in West Lothian!  Please contact Lynn Law on 0131 225 8508 / 07760 753 039 / lynn.law@povertyalliance.org to find out more about a workshop or the Group.

West Lothian Welfare Reform Awareness Campaign 2012, 2013

Every Voice Matters workshop

West Lothian Community Action on Poverty Terms of Reference for Every Voice Matters

Date — Wednesday 23rd May 2012 (9a.m. to 4.30p.m.)

Course Venue — Centrex House, Business and Conference Centre, Kirkton Campus, Livingston

See our web site, email or call us on 01506 495647 to book

Email – enquiries@lrqt.co.uk   www.lrqualitytraining.co.uk

April 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Government setting up the Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS).

We’ve seen the implementation of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act (commonly referred to as PoCSA) and then the transition to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act (or the PVG Scheme).

We’ll be updating our website with news and views on 10 years of CRBS.  www.crbs.org.uk/

Responsible To: Board of Directors

Purpose:

To be responsible for monitoring the organisation’s finances and to keep the members of the Board of Directors informed.

Duties will include the following:

Ensuring that all decisions about expenditure are made by people authorised to do so, and if appropriate are minuted or recorded in other ways.

Ensuring that financial records are checked by at least one person who has not been involved in making the payment or writing up the records.

Ensuring that the Board of Directors, senior staff and others with responsibility for financial control receive regular financial reports.

Ensuring that the organisation’s financial records and reports are checked or audited regularly – at least annually – by an appropriately qualified third party.

Ensure the following tasks have been carried out:

Budgets and cashflows.

Ensuring that the organisation receives money due to it.

Bills are paid on time.

Salaries are properly calculated and PAYE is properly operated.

Recording properly all financial transactions.

Contact: Karen McGhee enquiries@cabwestlothian.org.uk

When: Tuesday 22nd May, 6pm Registration for 6.30pm start – 8pm Finish

Where: West Lothian College, Sports Hall

We are delighted to have some leading speakers from the world of retail:

Professor Christopher Moore, Associate Dean of Business Development, Chair in Marketing and Retailing, Glasgow Caledonian University

Colin Temple, Managing Director of footwear giant Schuh

Professor Leigh Sparks, Professor of Retail Studies and Head of Graduate School, University of Stirling

Jane Rexworthy, Head of National Skills Academy for Retail

James Bailey, Director, The Centre, Livingston

The Retail Sector is one of the UK’s largest private sector industry with £321 billion annual turnover and 2.8 million employees.  The Retail Sector in West Lothian is also one of the region’s largest employers and recent expansion of the Centre has seen the sector go from strength to strength, but what lies ahead for the sector?

The event will explore:

The Role of Retailing in the Modern Scottish Economy

Retail Employment Skills

The Changing Face of Retail

Youth Consumption Research

Future predictions for Fashion Retailing in Scotland

Register: Free Event, register at Business@west-lothian.ac.uk or 01506-427955