At the launch of a new literacy campaign, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and children's author and comedian David Walliams said that improving literacy should be a ‘national mission.’

Alongside existing reforms that have helped tens of thousands more pupils to read confidently, Nicky Morgan announced plans to create at least 200 new book clubs across the country and an ambition to see every 8-year-old enrolled at their local library.

The new campaign is part of the government’s ‘one nation’ approach to extend opportunities to every child, regardless of background.

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The number of 16- to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England between April and June is at its lowest since records began in 2000, official figures reveal today (20 August 2015).

The quarterly figures are the latest indication the government is succeeding in its drive to abolish youth unemployment and ensure all young people are either earning or learning.

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Young people aged between 11 and 18 will have their chance to nominate issues for discussion as part of the Make Your Mark ballot.

Among the issues up for public vote are mental health, funding for youth services, votes at 16, tackling racism, austerity and child poverty.

The ballot closes on Friday 9th October.

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The DfE said Natasha Devon was chosen for the role due to her extensive work with young people, including launching two organisations that give young people practical tips on dealing with mental health and body image concerns.

Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah, who is also responsible for strengthening Department for Education links with child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), said: "Natasha is an inspiration to many young people and I’m delighted to have her on board as our first mental health champion.

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A 16-strong panel of expert judges has scrutinised and studied all the entries to produce shortlists in each category. A panel of young judges is examining these entries and their marks will count towards determining the overall winners.

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Organisations working with young people outside the formal education sector can apply to the youth strand. Funds are given to support activity called learning mobility which is a planned learning activity in another country.

This part of Key Action 1 is managed in the UK by the British Council as part of the UK National Agency.

Apply for Round 3 - deadline: 1 October 2015

Ten Pieces II features stunning orchestral performances from the BBC Philharmonic, members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the Hallé Choir, alongside violinist Nicola Benedetti, trumpeter Alison Balsom and DJ Mr Switch.

Watch it here...

From this Autumn, we have several Child Protection courses taking place across the South East.

From safeguarding to policy writing, these course provide practical information and advice on the most important issues faced by youth organisations and those working with them.

Find out more...

Creative Facilitation

London

Wednesday 23rd September 2015

Book your place

Funding Your Youth Arts Project

Bristol

Wednesday 7th October 2015

Book your place

Evaluating Youth Arts Projects

Gateshead

Thursday 8th October 2015

Book your place

Mentoring the Next Creative Generation

Birmingham

Wednesday 14th October

Book your place

See our full course listings here!

Download it here...

Take the survey here...

Tuesday 8th September marked this year's International Literacy Day - why not find out about Arts Council England's Libraries Development Initiative? 

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Inspired by Benjamin Britten, Friday Afternoons was conceived by Aldeburgh Music as part of the composer's centenary in 2013. It is a quality resource for children and young people, enabling them to explore singing as composer, performer and listener.

The Friday Afternoons website offers all of the materials required to take part, including scores, lyrics, audio tracks, and interactive resources from Charanga Music - all available free of charge.

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The news comes just a month after it emerged that 99 children’s centres closed in the six months between 1 January and 30 June this year, bringing the total number of children's centre closures since 2010 to 250. More than half of those closed were by just seven local authorities.

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Youth offending teams (YOTs) are being encouraged to capitalise on a new tool aimed at supporting them to attract funding for early intervention work to steer young people away from crime.

The Valuing Youth Diversion toolkit, created by the Centre for Justice Innovation, uses basic information about diversion schemes to estimate potential "cost avoidance estimates", primarily for police and the court system.

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Spirit of 2012 are looking to fund "an innovative project that offers new skills in the verbal arts to young people".

"We want them to explore and give voice to the attitudes and behaviours that shape their lives and the social contexts in which they live; extending their capacity to empathise with others and collaborate to produce high quality creative work."

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The Strategic Legal Fund for Vulnerable Young Migrants (SLF) is a fund to support legal work that goes beyond securing justice for an individual and makes a significant contribution to law, practice and procedures to uphold and promote the rights of vulnerable migrant children and young people more generally.

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If you're thinking about changing jobs, why not check out our ENYAN jobs page and see if anything catches your eye? 

Remember, you can also post your own job adverts here - just sign up for a free ENYAN membership and submit your content today.