Terms of Reference for the Network ~

Full Name of the Group - Hillingdon Training Providers Network

Purpose - To realise the vision of developing Hillingdon as a 'Borough of Learning and Culture' and improve the quality of training through active partnership across the voluntary and community sector and within the National, Regional and local context.

The main aims and objectives of the Hillingdon Training Providers Network are to:

  1. Be an effective vehicle that facilitates Hillingdon VCS learning providers coming together to share ideas, best practice, collaboration and resources.
  2. Raise the quality and effectiveness of learning opportunities being offered to the community and to support and monitor learner progression.
  3. Map local VCS training provision.
  4. Facilitate access to VCS organisations in Hillingdon to sub-regional and larger training provider support mechanisms, such as WLTF, LVSTC, CES.
  5. Share information on local, regional and national training initiatives, quality standards and funding opportunities.
  6. Identify training needs and seek funding to provide the necessary training for network members.
  7. Facilitate a two way flow of information between the smallest groups and the highest level of authority. For instance, information on Government initiatives with regard to VCS training can be made available to the local groups and they in turn will be represented at sub regional and regional level via the Hillingdon Training Providers Network and other training Forums.
  8. Reduce competition for the same funding pots and establish a more effective use of resources by encouraging groups to make partnership bids when appropriate.
  9. Provide a forum to discuss past capacity building project experiences and directions for future spend.
  10. Offer a support network and mentoring opportunities to cover a wide range of topics, including funding, management committee issues, policies and procedures and quality standards.
  11. Set up a referrals system between groups that provide training to ensure that community needs are fully met and resources most effectively utilised.

Accountabilities

The network members will be accountable to:

* each other in the development of the network

* the community in all its forms and in particular the members of the VCS groups and their own executive bodies for the development of the network.

Membership and Protocols

The network is open to all VCS organisations involved in training in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Membership of the training network, including participation and attendance at meetings, events, training sessions and mentoring sessions is a requirement of eligibility for NLDC funding. All new and existing members are required to supply details about their organisations/projects via a referrals sheet which will be made available to all the groups for reference.

Roles of the members

The Chair (or other person nominated by the Chair) will:

* drive the agenda and effectively manage the networks work plan

* time manage meetings and ensure they start and finish on time

* seek to reach consensus through focused discussion

* be responsible for the conduct of business and for ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute

Network members will:

* ensure completion of tasks allotted to them

* attend all meetings of the network, on time, for the duration of the meeting

* respect and value each others contributions and accept the principles of collective decision making

* declare if they have any personal or financial interest in the business of the network

* provide key links into their own organisations

* contribute to and actively take forward decisions made by the network; and

* promote the benefits they have received from both the network and the NLDC funding.

Attendance at Meetings

Members of the network are there to represent the views of their VCS group. If a member is not able to attend a meeting substitutes will be allowed assuming that they have sufficient authority to speak on behalf of the organisation and are well informed about the work of the network. Substitutions must be agreed by the Chair. A member who fails to attend a meeting on three consecutive occasions, or whose attendance on a regular basis is erratic, who fails to send apologies or a substitute is, at the discretion of the Chair, deemed to have resigned from the Network. It is necessary to have a minimum number of 6 members present at meetings for there to be a quorum.

Administration

The Chair will be responsible for agreeing the agenda for each meeting. Papers will be sent out a minimum of 7 days in advance of the meeting.

Frequency of Meetings

There will be a minimum of four meetings a year.

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