This Scheme has been devised to support voluntary youth organisations who have full-time staff (ie. employed for a minimum of 16 hours per week) on part-time courses leading to initial professional qualification in youth and community work. For the purpose of the Scheme an organisation will be deemed eligible if it fits the definition of a youth organisation as contained in the Youth Service Policy Review document - "A Youth Service for a New Millennium" – DE 2000:
When making application, organisations must provide the following evidence to support claims of the above:
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The Organisation must have a Constitution |
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The Organisation must deliver a youth work curriculum |
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The Organisation should be able to demonstrate the active participation of young people in the management and delivery of its programmes |
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The Organisation must operate a Child Protection Policy |
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The Organisation must have a bank account in the Organisation’s name |
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The Organisation must have annual audited accounts |
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The Organisation must have a Staff Development Policy |
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The Organisation must have policies in line with legislative requirements on Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities |
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The Organisation must have appropriate insurance cover for all aspects of its operations. |
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A maximum number of four staff per course, nominated by a voluntary youth organisation, can be funded annually (this figure may be adjusted if needs be to allow for an equitable distribution of funding within the limitation of the finance available to the Scheme). |
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Funding would normally be offered at the rate of up to 75% of course fees up to a maximum of £1000 per recipient per academic year. |
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Funding will only be offered in respect of recipients who can provide independent evidence of having secured a place on an approved course; however, it should be noted that admission to a course is not a guarantee that financial assistance will be available. |
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Assistance with courses outside Northern Ireland will only be considered where similar courses are not available in Northern Ireland. |
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Application for support may be made in respect of one course and one venue only per individual. |
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Applications for funding must be made on the form provided: Part A to be completed by the person seeking funding; Part B by the employing organisation; and Part C, a Certificate of Acceptance Form, by the course provider. No other forms of application will be considered. |
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Employers must allow leave of absence from normal youth work duties for the times specified by the course. |
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Recipients of the bursary must be engaged in a youth worker role and be working face-to-face with young people in a youth work setting for a minimum of 50% of their weekly schedule. |
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Payments will be made to the employing organisation rather than to the recipient of the bursary. |
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Assistance will not normally be available for parts of a course it is necessary to repeat. |
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If there are any changes in the recipient’s working conditions or attendance at the course (eg. deferment or withdrawal from the course) the employer must notify the Youth Council in writing immediately. |
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Where a recipient changes employment during the life of the bursary, the Youth Council should be notified immediately in writing and a new application submitted by the recipient’s new employing organisation. |
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The Youth Council will consider what action to take on a case-by-case basis dependent upon the specific circumstances. |
