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N.I Tenants Action Project
Waveney Community Centre
Doury Road
Ballymena
County Antrim
BT43 6JA
Tel: 028 2564 5676
E-mail: [email protected]
Issue No. 27 - MARCH 1999
'Its Good To Talk' NITAP Organises First Community Teleconference in Northern Ireland
Protection of Vulnerable Adults
Housing Rights Advisor
On Line with Kilcooley
Best Practice & Governance in Housing - A Conference of the Isles
Information Workers Network
Successful Fundraising
DHSS - Membership of Public Bodies
Finding Funds
The first alternative method of conferencing took place in February this year involving the bringing together of community representatives from many corners of the province with a member of Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) in England and the Co-Ordinator of 'Estate Line' from London - all over the phone!
The initiative, which was hailed as a great success, was co-ordinated from NITAP's Head Office in Ballymena and facilitated by David Talbot 'Estate Line' who travelled over from his London office for the day.
For an hour, community activists from Central/Area CAG's and NIHE Consumer Panels in Enniskillen, Newry, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, L'Derry, Lisburn, Ards and Belfast shared their experiences and thoughts on the effectiveness of Consumer Panels with each other and Paul Schofield from TPAS who led the discussion by giving a short talk on the role of Focus and Litmas Groups on the mainland.
The idea to pilot the first teleconference in Northern Ireland followed a presentation on the project 'Estate Line' by Dave Talbot at last years very successful Community Involvement Conference and Awards in Cookstown. 'Estate Line' is a national teleconferencing network between tenants and residents living on housing estates all over the UK. It enables community leaders and activists to discuss issues of common interest and share ideas about possible solutions.
The Northern Ireland pilot used the same technical methods and backups as those in the UK. No special equipment was used. Participants used ordinary phones with some taking part from the comfort of their own homes and it didn't cost them a penny! A charitable organisation 'Community Network' based in London provided the technical backup by getting all 11 participants 'on line' together.
The teleconferencing method of networking is not only an easy way to get people from all over the country with their different viewpoints together, it also gives people the opportunity to have their say and speak to others outside of their area. One of the many benefits of the initiative is that it allows those with mobility or transport problems to participate in interesting and topical discussions.
Those involved in the first Northern Ireland teleconference praised the organisers of the event and expressed the following thoughts on what they had experienced:
"this is something different ... thoroughly worthwhile and gave me an insight into what's happening in the rest of the province"
"excellent... another form of networking which will keep people in touch"
"very informative ... I've learnt a lot in such a short space of time"
"very fruitful ... this should be opened up to include people not just from Consumer Panels but from those at all levels of the Community Involvement Structure"
Those participating in this exciting initiative were:- Marion Cully, Newry; Christine Beglin, Carrickfergus; Maureen Muldoon, Enniskillen; Denise McAfee, Coleraine; Sam Burns, Belfast; Tommy Mullan, L'Derry; Gerry Meehan, Belfast; Andrew Park, Lisburn; John Smith, Portaferry (Ards); Paul Schofield TPAS - (Lead Speaker) and Dave Talbot, Estate Line (Facilitator). NITAP hopes that this is the first of many teleconferences to come, plans are afoot to connect more communities over the phone!
The Health and Social Services Boards have each introduced a policy for the protection of vulnerable adults, following the Department of Health and Social Services "Guidance on Abuse of Vulnerable Adults"(1). The policy is intended to promote good practice in responding to abuse. More specifically, it aims to prevent abuse by:
- promoting a multi-disciplinary approach to vulnerable
adult protection;
- providing a basis for identifying those in need of
protection;
- outlining the process of intervention;
- raising the awareness of vulnerable adult abuse among
professionals and the public.
The Health and Social Services Boards affirm that all vulnerable adults have the right to freedom from abuse. All agencies, whether statutory, voluntary or private, providing health and social services are expected to take all the necessary and appropriate measures to:
- ensure that abuse does not occur within any of the
services for which they are responsible and ensure appropriate responses
where it does occur.
- respond to all cases of suspected or alleged abuse
of vulnerable adults served by them.
The policy applies to abuse of all vulnerale adults, including elderly people, peoplee with a learning, physical or sensory disability and people suffering from mental illness or dementia. Covering all types of abuse, including physical, sexual, financial, psychological and emotional, and institutional abuse and negligence, it recognises that vulnerable people cannot always protect themselves from such abuse.
It replaces the previous Elderly Protection Policy.
All work with vulnerable adults is underpinned with those values which provide and support the rights of all individuals. These are the right to:
- Privacy
- Dignity
- Independence
- Choice
- Citizenship
- Fulfilment
If you would like more information about this policy, please contact the person named below who is responsible for the implementation of the policy in their respective Board area.
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Eastern Board Mr Alan Richardson Principal Social Worker Eastern Health & Social Services Board Champion House 12-22 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BS Tel: (01232) 321313 Ext 2513 Southern Board Mr Bill Halliday Asst Director Social Services Southern Health & Social Services Board Department of Social Care Tower Hill Armagh BT61 Tel: (01861) 410041 |
Northern Board Mr Kevin Keenan Asst Director Social Services (Adult Services) Northern Health & Social Services Board County Hall 182 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1QB Tel: (01266) 653333 Western Board Mr Tom Haverty Service Planner Elderly Health & Disability Western Health & Social Services Board 15 Gransha Park Clooney Road Londonderry BT47 1TG Tel: (01504) 860086 |
In December, the Housing Executive launched its revised internal Complaints Procedure. Under the new system, District Managers will now be formally responsible for dealing with most first stage complaints. If the complainant is still dissatisfied, they can raise the matter with the Chief Executive under the second stage of the procedure. Launching the new procedure the Housing Executive's Chairman, Sid McDowell, said:
"Our revised Complaints Procedure should provide our customers with a more accessible, faster and responsive way to resolve complaints."
You can make a complaint if you are dissatisfied about any aspect of service provided by the Housing Executive. This includes enquiries about decisions, lack of service or the manner in which services are delivered.
You should make your complaint to the appropriate manager depending on the type of complaint. If, for example, your complaint is about applying for accommodation, transfers, repairs or Housing Benefit, you should write to the District Manager. If your complaint concerns house sales, you should contact the Area Manager.
A complaint should be made in writing, although it can be accepted verbally if you are elderly or disabled. The Manager should acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 3 working days. If additional information is required, you may be contacted for further details or invited for an interview at which a representative can be present (e.g. a relative, neighbour, work colleague or, at the discretion of the Manager any other representative such as an advisor).
Once your complaint has been fully investigated, the Manager should respond in writing within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. The response should address all issues raised and must include a referral slip advising of the next stage of the appeal.
If you are still dissatisfied with the Manager's response, you can write to the Chief Executive who should respond within 10 working days
The Executive's revised scheme does not affect the right to complain directly to the Ombudsman, although you should continue to use the Housing Executive's internal Complaints Procedure before doing so. If you wish, you may request help/assistance from Housing Rights Service or a local advice centre to pursue your complaint through the above procedures.
Copies of leaflets outlining the new system are available from Housing Executive District Offices.
If you require any further information contact:
Housing Rights Service
Tel: (01232) 245640
Monday - Friday
9.15am - 1.00pm
For some time, the proposals for a new complaints procedure for NIHE were considered by Central CAG and in keeping with that level of involvement, CAG members were able to make a positive contribution to the production of an information leaflet. The Procedure was launched on 9th December 1998 and CAG members were in attendance.
On the 15th December
1998 Kilcooley Community Forum, an umbrella organisation in Kilcooley,
Bangor became the first group to be linked onto the Internet as part
of the "Home Page Project". This progressive project, funded by the
NIHE and assisted by Central CAG, is designed to offer 20 Community
Groups from throughout Northern Ireland the opportunity to upgrade their
computers and be linked to the internet.
The project is being managed by the Community Information Network Northern
Ireland (CINNI) a non-profit community business that have great experience
in electronic communications.
The project includes elements of training and how to get the most out
of the system.
Joanne Mccombe, Community Development Worker in Kilcooley, welcomed
the new initiative to the area which has been seeking funding for such
a project for some time. Since the Forum has been on line many of the
14 member groups have accessed the net; these include gathering information
for the Mother and Toddler as well as Senior Citizen groups.
Joanne, who has found the training to date very helpful says she is
looking forward to more training which will help her and the community
improve links with other community groups while gathering information
on common issues that affect communities worldwide.
Waterfront Hall, Belfast 18/19 March 1999
This is the first major housing conference to be held in Belfast since the 'peace process' gained momentum, paving the way for new delivery mechanisms and the establishment of a Council for the Isles. The conference will explore areas common to housing in all parts of these islands and will be at an opportune time to examine the implications of newly elected Assemblies and how devolved powers will impact at national, regional and neighbourhood level. Workshop themes and speakers will be of particular interest to all those involved in housing and community initiatives at local level and special rates are available for community and tenants groups.
Themes ....
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Confirmed Speakers ....
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NITAP offices in Ballymena was the venue for the first ever meeting, outside Belfast, of the Information Workers Network.
The IWN, which was established in 1992 to encourage and support information workers throughout Northern Ireland, meets on a regular basis to discuss common problems, receive training and network with other groups and individuals in the Voluntary and Community Sector.
The meeting held in January 1999 in Ballymena was to discuss and implement the findings of a report drawn up from a conference "Dealing Effectively with Information", held in September 1998. The meeting was a great success with working groups being organised to look into key areas of interest such as training, the newsletter, IT and a conference.
If you would like to become involved in the Network or would like to know more about how it works contact Nadia on (01232) 321224
January 1999 saw the launch of the newly developed NITAP training course "Successful Fundraising"
This course is designed to provide Community Group members with the skills and knowledge to ensure long-term effective fundraising. During the 2 hour course, a strong emphasis is placed on the planning involved in fundraising and participants are given the opportunity to use several planning techniques. A mine of useful information is exchanged to help participants focus on sources of funding.
A participant commented that
"The course was very good, well set out and easy to understand"
and a representative, who attended on behalf of a well known funding body stated
"a good course, if groups use the information provided it would make my job of assessing applications much easier"
Anyone interested in 'Successful Fundraising', or any other NITAP Training course, should contact their nearest NITAP Liaison Officer (name and address listed on the staff page.
In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and Social Services delivers some of its most important services through Health and Social Services Boards, Trusts, Councils and Agencies. These are known as "Public Bodies" and are managed by boards of Executive and Non-Executive Directors.
Non-Executive Directors are appointed by the Department of Health and Social Services.
The Government is committed to making these boards more representative of and accountable to the communities they serve. It is also keen to see increased representation of women, young people, disabled people, ethnic minorities and grassroots community organisations. If you are appointed to a public body, you will play a key role in influencing and shaping the provision of a whole range of important services.
There is no need to wait until a vacancy arises on one of these Public bodies. You can nominate yourself at any time. When a vacancy does arise, a person's specification and job description is drawn up for the particular post. This will also form the basis of shortlisting and selection criteria for the vacancy.
Are you really interested in playing a part in decision making in the Health and Personal Social Services?
Do you want your voice to be heard?
Nominate yourself for membership of bodies such as the HSS Boards, Trusts or Councils.
For more information contact Mary McStay, Public Appointments Unit, DHSS, Room 524, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. BT4 3SF. Tel: (01232) 524741
There are hundreds of Trusts across the UK that have pots of money to distribute to Community Projects, all specialising in their own particular cause. It can sometimes be difficult for Community Groups to decide which Trusts they should approach for funding. To assist groups identify appropriate Trust Funds for their project, NITAP offers practical help through its FunderFinder Service.
FunderFinder is a computer package designed to access information on its database and produce details of Trusts that may consider funding specific projects. All you have to do is complete a short questionnaire giving specifics of the project you wish to find funding for and we will send you the list of Trusts the computer comes up with.
This service is free. To obtain a questionnaire or for further information please contact Marie-Louise Kelly, Funding Officer Tel: (01266) 45676.
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