The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
The Children’s Society
Operational Plan for The New Londoners supporting young refugees, Roma and homeless children April 07 – March 10
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
1.
Executive Summary
1.1 Overview of the project & its main services The New Londoners (formerly the Refugee and Homelessness Team) helps young refugees 1 , children living in insecure accommodation, Roma children and their families to fulfil their individual potential, and to challenge the systems that keep them marginalised. It does this through: Advocacy. To overcome the immediate obstacles that are preventing them from accessing essential services such as decent legal representation, education and habitable accommodation. Social activities. Helping them to meet new people, reflect on their experiences and build up their self-worth through trips, youth clubs and peer support. Lobbying and campaigning for their rights and to challenge the prejudice they face. Over the last year the project has worked on a one-to-one basis with about 220 young people and run activities, which were attended by over 250 young people. 1.2 History The project has worked in Newham since 1996. The need for the work with refugees emerged from previous homelessness and mental health work from which it was discovered that refugees were the main client group failing to access services. Although based in Newham and neighbouring boroughs, the dissemination and learning from the work have had a national impact. 1.3 Changes from previous years The work of the RHT has increasingly focussed on supporting refugees under the Refugee Strategy and Roma under the Gypsy and Traveller Strategy. In April 2006, the Romanian Roma project along with a Romanian volunteer from the European Voluntary Service joined the RHT significantly increasing our Roma client group. Our work with refugee and homeless children and their families continues although efforts are being made to realign the homelessness work by 2008. In 2008, the Children’s Fund comes to an end. Further planned changes are that the post of Information and Communications officer is being made redundant in December 2006. 1.4 Summary This business plan sets out the key elements of RHT strategy for the next three years. In doing this it highlights further changes from previous years, financial implications and the contributions the RHT makes to The Children’s Society’s goals and targets.
2.
1
Overview of Project and the environment in which it operates
Young Refugees denote all young people and children seeking asylum, those with human rights claims, discretionary leave, humanitarian protection and refugee status from 0 -21
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
2.1 Introduction / Overview of Project The New Londoners currently has 10 workers and 10 volunteers (the people with grey boxes also manage volunteers.)
Programme Manager Susan Clare
Senior Practioner Roma Agnieszka Walsh
Administration Manager Laura Wirtz
Young Refugees Media Project National Co-ordinator Gershon Berkowitz
Senior Practioner Refugees Naomi MacDougall
Romanian Rroma Project Worker Heather Ureche
Rroma Volunteer Project Worker Tiberiu Vaduva
Rroma Volunteer Project Worker (P/T) Hanna Trybowska
Young Refugees / Outreach Project Worker Lucy Leon
Outreach Project Worker Alison Birch
Information & Communication Officer Bockari Stevens
2.2
Our stakeholders (CYP, Parents, LA’s, Partners, Local Parish etc.)
Frequency of engagement (H, M, L) Children & young people High Parents & Carers High Departments & projects at The Children’s High Society Solicitors Medium Statutory bodies (including schools, social Medium service, Connexions, HPU) Local voluntary agencies Medium Local parish Low Stakeholder Group
The New Londoners believes strongly in the participation of stakeholders throughout its work. In particular young people are instrumental in shaping the project’s future. Examples of how this has occurred previously can be seen in the project plan. Over the next three years stakeholders participation will be crucial to the project development. 2.3 External trends The project will be influenced heavily over the next 3 years by the following external trends Foreign conflicts & wars. Foreign policy on asylum. Government legalisation including Romania joining the EU and the dispersal of unaccompanied minors. Public opinion about refugees and Roma (often fuelled by media). Local policies such as Children’s Trusts and Every Child Matters agenda. Local priorities outlined in the Children and Young People’s Plan. Closure of local partnership projects, eg the end of Newham Children’s Fund. The work undertaken by other local organisations. Research findings at a national or local level. These include project research ‘This is who we are’ and ‘Making a New Life in Newham’.
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
Local trends such as families choosing not to take up NASS support & private fostering. The demographics of Newham and neighbouring boroughs. The Olympics taking place in the Borough of Newham. 2.4 Partners
Duration Ongoing Outcomes of partnership Increasing understanding and learning of the client group. Funding Cross referrals Support Cross referrals Community Capacity Building Joint working Funding Cross referrals Cross referrals Cross referrals Joint working Cross referrals Cross referrals Cross referrals Cross referrals Shared understanding Taking over homelessness work Cross referrals Requirements of Partnership Support and resources to encourage true participation. Service Level Agreement Requirements Regular contact Facilitation of group Info sharing Regular contact Service Level Agreement Regular contact Regular contact Regular contact Regular contact Regular contact Regular contact
Partner Children, young people and their families.
Newham Children’s Fund & associated projects Kings Cross Homelessness Project Newham Refugee and Migrant Forum Roma Support Group Connexions Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services Travellers Education Service Solicitor Firms Trinity Community Centre Local school & colleges Social services
Until 2008
Ongoing End 2006
Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Case by case Ongoing Case by case Ongoing
Shelter
Ongoing
Regular contact
Police
Ongoing
Regular contact
2.5 Competitive environment The project works on a needs basis and as such will only develop work when a needs analysis has taken place. The project finds it is complementing others’ work rather than competing with them. None of the other major charities work in Newham. Although there are other voluntary, statutory and community organisations in Newham our work with young refugees and Roma remains unique. The only area in which the project is competing with other organisations is for funds. The need for the work at present is greater than the provision offered by organisations.
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
3.1
BALANCED SCORECARD
External Relations E1 Ensure strong networks with key local decision makers, including the Church or England, to achieve our mission/goals & targets. E2 Ensure the RHT is a high impact participatory project delivering demonstrated outcomes for & with refugee and Roma children & young people in line with goals and target. E3 Be regarded by local, regional and national government as refugee and Roma experts with a proven track record of delivery of high quality work. E4 Raise awareness of refugee and Roma issues & profile the difference the RHT makes for & with children & young people, through research, campaigning and marketing.
Financial Perspective FI Ensure project and staff stability; by securing long term external funding for all project work within the business plan. F2 Ensure project obtains business terms and contracts which are beneficial to the project. F3 Enhance the project’s joint work with Fundraising to maximise external and voluntary income for the project. F4 Work productively with TCS Finance Department and utilisation of TCS financial reporting mechanisms to ensure resources are used to the maximum effect to support high quality work.
Destination Statement Working directly with disadvantaged children & young people, we have researched & explored what improves their lives, what doesn’t & why. Having shared our findings with others, we have helped thousands more. Our own fundraising has allowed us to increase our direct work, research, policy & campaigning, & given us freedom to work where others are unable. Our Christian values have compelled us to work with others. Our partnership with the Church of England, supporters, volunteers, funders & others has raised the strength, passion & impact of our collective voice. The quality & commitment of our staff has directed us, & the talent & resilience of the children & young people we serve has inspired us & driven us to share power & responsibility
Organisation and Culture O1 The project ensures diversity of its staff and volunteers to meet the diverse needs of children and young people accessing the services. O2 All staff take initiative & responsibility in progressing the RHT Business Plan and the goals & targets of the organisation; and staff are valued for their contribution. O3 The work of the RHT is shared across the organisation to develop understanding and the one business approach. O4 RHT is a well-informed workforce with a culture of open, relevant and timely two-way communication.
Processes and Capabilities P1 Build capability to capture and disseminate the difference we make, for and with, refugee and Roma children and young people, from their perspective and in relation to the Every Child Matters outcomes. P2 All staff are engaged with relevant external and internal networks, and provide relevant information to direct the strategic work of the project and organisation. P3 To safeguard children and workers by ensuring high quality practice and management support P4 Ensure young people and children have involvement in the development and delivery of our practice and activities.
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
3.2
Operating Plan for 2007/08
3.2.1 For each area of activity, set out the following; 3.2.2 Funding strategy – VI & EI The New Londoners & TCS are finding it increasing difficult to obtain funds for refugee work. However, the project is working closely with the funding and fundraising departments in an endeavour to obtain future funding. The RHT has been working with corporate fundraising to explore the possibility of the Lehman Brothers funding the young refugees work, currently funded through VI. Areas of development are also being looked at and ADGs completed which outline the future direction of the New Londoners. An ADG proposal has been written to develop The Children’s Fund (CF) Outreach Project that is reducing its funding next year and finishing in 2008 (see description of refugee family work below). The Big Lottery Family Learning Fund is a potential funder for this piece of work and contacts have been made with the funding unit to pursue this. Newham Council, are also in the process of commissioning work and bids will be put in to them in 2007. The project will continue to liaise with fundraising and funding to try and secure external funding. The project values their ongoing support. In 2007/8 the project will continue to apply for funds to develop its work in particular its priority areas are: - Work with refugee families to empower, through group work and individual support, to increase their confidence and ability to manage their lives without relying on their children to take on caring responsibilities. - Funding for the volunteer project so that volunteers are able to support the RHT. - Funding to support Roma families after the end of the Children’s Fund and the Railway Children. - Funds for research into private fostering/trafficking. 3.2.3 Research to be carried out The project completed a piece of research called ‘Making a New Life in Newham’ in 2006. This looked at what helps and hinders young refugees settlement. The project will ensure learning and recommendations from this work are taken forward during 2007/08. The Romanian Roma project is carrying out a study, ‘This is who we are’ into the experiences of different gypsy and traveller groups and drawing out the commonalities between the different groups. The New Londoners is also hoping to find funds to carry out some research into the situation of children and young people who have been privately fostered from abroad. In addition, the New Londoners will continue to monitor the casework files, in order to identify recurring themes. Finding from casework will help determine the
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
development of the project and will be fed into research carried out by TCS. In order to do this the project must ensure that CHYMS reflects the work of the project and that the team are confident using it. 3.2.4 Campaigns The project will continue to feed into the TCS campaign Stand by Me. The campaigns and media team are now putting together a more structured approach to the participation of children and young people in campaigns work and the RHT are involved in piloting this work. The project has already provided a blog and interview with a worker for the campaigns website and through the RHT and the NRSG will continue to support campaigns by providing evidence in the form of statistics, case studies and participation. In addition the worker from the National Refugee Media Project will continue to work with the RHT to feed into the campaigns strategy in a very child-focussed way. 3.2.5 Support Services The project works well with the support services of the organisation, over the next 3 years it is envisaged that it this will be continued. • • • IT needs – systems & training: IT is crucial to the working of the RHT, it is important the project has update systems and that staff are trained on these systems. People and Organisational Development support (include volunteers): Ongoing support will be needed with recruitment, redundancy, training and general HR issues. Learning and Development: It is crucial that staff are kept up to date with legislative changes and they have development plans. In an area of high intensity it is also crucial that the team has regular team days, casework meetings and relevant training. Finance: The project will need support from the finance department in the use of TCS finance systems, protocols for working and development of user friendly systems, in order to produce accurate budgets.
•
3.2.6 Marketing & Communications The project will need the support of Marketing and Communications in order to ensure its work is ‘one business’. This will be in particularly important when the project is producing material for the external market, such as project information, help sheets and newsletters for families and young people. 3.2.7 Legal The New Londoners needs good legal support. The team are finding it increasing difficult to find good solicitors to support young peoples immigration claims and when solicitors are found the project workers are often helping the solicitors with the young persons case. Both of these scenarios are as a result of cuts in legal aid, and both have time implication for project workers.
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
In addition New Londoners is heavily influenced by legislation changes; in particular those related to immigration, housing, education and children. Time is spent by all workers on training, gaining information and learning the impact of legislative changes. Upcoming legislative changes that will impact on the project include Romania joining the EU, planned dispersal for unaccompanied minors and the ending of free ESOL and FE provision for asylum seekers. The project will continue to work with the NRSG and the policy team to address legislative changes that impact negatively on our clients. 3.2.8 Risk
Risk Rank Financial Impact Management Action Lead Accountabl e P.Manager & P Staff Progress date to Actions Required or Outstandin g Continue as is.
Risk Identified
Young people involved in accidents on trips or in the office. Project workers overstretched and dealing with emotionally demanding cases along with all the monitoring requirements of the organisation.
Medium
Varied
Risk assessments of all activities
Risk assessments carried out on all activities. See Management Action. In addition counselling is available for all staff. Meetings have taken place with Louise Woollard to discuss monitoring requirements. All staff are CRB checked or receive an exception from Director of CYP. Regular supervisions and reporting back. Staff CP trained. All staff to have training opportunities identified through supervision
Medium
Varied eg workers on sick leave
Day to day management and regular supervisions. Casework meetings. Support from other areas of TCS. Feed into MEGA regarding CHYMS.
Line managers
Continue as is
Young people not being identified as risk of abuse (both internal and external).
Medium
High
Project offering incorrect advice or support.
Low
Low
Potential risks identified though recruitment & follow up. Day to day management and regular supervisions. All new staff to undergo CP training. Regular training, opportunities to discuss cases supervisions and casework meetings
Programme Manager
Continue as is
Project workers
Continue as is
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
Cut in funding & associated loss of staff and knowledge as well as low moral. Full recovery achieved funders. cost not from
Medium
Medium
Medium
High
Regular liasing with funding bodies, achievement of SLAs and indemnification of further funds. Work with funding and finance. Include M&A costs to funders and include in all funding applications.
Programme Manager
Project has established links with TCS Fundraising, funding and local networks. Where possible, management costs have been included in applications but not always successfully obtained. Young refugees media post working with the RHT to feed into the campaigns strategy. See Management Action. In addition counselling is available for all staff.
Look for new funding potential
Programme Manager
See Management Action.
Profile of Refugees in the external world
High
High as less funding available
Work with campaigns and media on producing positive images of refugees. Day to day management and regular supervisions. Casework meetings. Support from other areas of TCS Increase availability of legal advice to project workers on individual cases. Develop networks to support deportation cases.
Programme Manager and project workers
Continue as is
Safety for YP and workers when working with trafficked young people
Medium
High
Programme Manager and supervisors
Monitor if the situation arises
Deportation of young people
High
Low
Programme Manager and supervisors
NRSG are progressing the need for legal support. Networks are being developed. Information pack developed regarding deportation. Regular consultation with children & young people
Legal support to be available for project workers. Ensure all staff are aware of the information pack regarding deportation. Continue as is.
Culture Clashes – such as inappropriate events organised for young people Young people not involved in participation work.
Medium
Low
Consult regularly with young people on events. Awareness of Cultural issues Provide interpreters where necessary. Ensure yps basic needs met.
Project workers
Medium
Low
Programme manager and project workers.
Workers access as many yp as possible. Caseworkers
Continue as is.
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
address issues.
yps
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
3.3. Overview of 2008-2010 Operating Plan Meeting the TCS targets. The New Londoners clearly works to meet the targets of the organisation, and will continue to do so between 2008 and 2010. In doing this the project will build on its previous work and its developed expertise; it is paramount to any development that the needs of the young people accessing the service are met, and that all staff & volunteers are fully supported in this. Areas where funding is unsecured • In March 2008, it is probable that the Children’s Fund and Railway Children work will come to an end. As a result of this funding cut it is likely that the Roma Education Project and the Outreach Project will be changed significantly. At present we are looking at the development of the Roma Project, including mapping the needs of the clients and the learning from the current project. At present, no decision has been made about the continuation of the Romanian Roma project. It is hoped that the Gypsy and Traveller work will become a pioneer area within TCS and that the Roma projects will feed into this. The Outreach Project has a clearer idea of the work that it should progress, and an ADG proposal has been written. The project hopes to realign to the refugee area by providing intensive support to refugee families including those that have ‘chosen’ to lose their NASS support because they want to live in London rather than the dispersal areas. • The media post is three year funded (by the Lottery Fund) and hence in this period further funds will be secured to develop/continue this work or it will close and the learning disseminated. As this piece of work has just started it is too early to say what will happen to the project. Areas planned activities that are due to start in year two and three As stated early in this report the project is heavily influenced by external changes and trends and much of the work will be responsive to this, however in 2007 the New Londoners will apply for funds to develop its work in the following areas: To intensively support refugee families in London to ensure that the parents are skilled up and the children are not taking on caring responsibilities. The Roma projects according to a needs analysis undertaken and ADG proposals written and submitted accordingly. A Volunteer Project so that volunteers are able to support the RHT. Research so that the extent and needs of young people from abroad in private fostering situations and those that have been trafficked into the UK can be investigated.
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If funding is successful the New Londoners will be working in these areas in 2008/10.
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The New Londoners
The Children’s Society Operational Plan
4.
Budget Summary for New Londoners & Rroma Project
Newham Children’s Fund Connexions Big Lottery Funding Railway Children 75,578 Confirmed 13,338 Unconfirmed 10,000 Unconfirmed 6,375 Confirmed 43,350 Confirmed
INCOME
VI TOTAL
264,176 Confirmed 389,479 Confirmed 23,338 Unconfirmed NCF & Connexions 23,2,715 2,700 20,223 23,300 Includes costs 13,925 14,000 11,894 Railway Children & Children’s Fund 389,479 event
EXPENDITURE
Staff costs Travel Equipment & premises Operational costs CYP user costs Internal Costs M&A & costs TOTAL support
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