The theme for this year’s RAISE annual conference is influencing and leadership. The vision of a Big Society poses both challenges and opportunities for the sector and our conference will provide you with an opportunity to reflect on the past and to focus on how you can shape the future. We hope that by listening to some inspirational leaders from different sectors you will feel empowered to influence the strategies that are emerging as part of our new government’s programme. To view the Annual Conference and AGM Page please click here.

To see the programme for the day and to book your place, please click on one of the following links: PDF booking form or Word booking form.

Alternatively you can email conference@raise-networks.org.uk or telephone 01483 885268. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

For Future RAISE Events Click Here

RAISE seek views on the Department of Health Consultations

Three consultations that will affect the voluntary and community sector’s future involvement in the delivery of health and social care services. The consultations have been launched following the recent publication of the health White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS'. The proposals represent some of the biggest changes to the NHS in the last 60 years and provide both opportunities and challenges for the sector. To view the papers please click here.

RAISE - Skills for Sustainable Growth

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) have produced a consultation on Skills for Sustainable Growth, which looks at strengthening Level 3 apprenticeships, training for people out of work, the introduction of Lifelong Learning Accounts and the reinvigoration of adult learning. To view the papers click here.

RAISE - Further Education Framework and Skills Funding System and Methodology

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) have produced a consultation on A Simplified Further Education Framework and Skills Funding System and Methodology focusing on the provision of post-19 learners, it looks at having a single budget, allocation of funds to the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), learner subsidies and support, funding outcomes (payment on results) and minimum contract levels. For more information please click here.

New Chief Executives' Discussion Forum

RAISE is trialling a discussion forum for the Chief Executives of South East voluntary and community sector organisations. The forum is free and easy to register with. If you want to share your views or discuss issues with peers, you can sign up here . Feel free to create your own topics or join in with existing discussions. Should you wish, you can opt to be notified about recent posts under threads you subscribed to.

This is a trial and we will see if it is a useful opportunity for members. Some people prefer the ability to dip in to conversations without having messages delivered directly to their inboxes.

RAISE have produced a Regional Mapping Report for Skills-Third Sector to reflect the distinctive learning and skills structures, relationships, roles and networks operating in the South East.

The report also includes South East and local networks and advisory groups, learning consortia (and key providers) of Sector Skills and Workforce Development and South East and local employment and skills partnerships and boards. The document can be found by clicking here and the spreadsheet by clicking here.

National Audit Office - Successful Commissioning