Archive for the ‘Charities’ Category

Charity recommends fair-banding and independent scrutiny of admissions

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Barnardo’s has reported that fair-banding and independent admission authorities are necessary to avoid social segregation in the school admissions process.

Fair-banding involves pupils taking a standard test, after which they are divided into 5 bands. Schools then admit pupils in equal proportions from each ability band. Barnardo’s also recommend that decisions on admissions should be made by a body independent of the school.

Michael Gove acknowledges that the schools admission system is unsatisfactory. However, a move towards independent admissions authorities may come as a blow to new academies who, as part of their promised autonomy, currently make their own admissions decisions.

Posted by Katie Michelon, who specialises in education law advice to schools, colleges and LEAs, including commercial advice on education sector projects such as academies, trust schools and federations.

Katie Michelon

Katie Michelon
0115 976 6189
kmichelon@brownejacobson.com

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Charities, Education | No Comments »

ISA scheme review falls short

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Home Secretary Teresa May today announced that the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration process is to be put on hold whilst the scope of the scheme is reviewed.

Whilst the review is a major step, one must question whether it goes far enough. There is little doubt that the registration requirements impacted upon too many people, but the management of the information held by the ISA and its role in barring individuals also requires review. A failure to automatically tell employers when their staff are barred, and an extremely low threshold for when employers are under a legal obligation to refer conduct to the ISA, are of serious concern to employers. If a review of the process is to be undertaken at all, then a full and thorough review of all aspects of the ISA’s role is in order. It is disappointing that the government’s plans do not suggest a more complete review.

Dai Durbridge

Posted by Dai Durbridge
0115 976 6578
ddurbridge@brownejacobson.com

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Charities, Education, Public Sector | No Comments »

Is charitable competition possible?

Friday, March 19th, 2010

This week saw the announcement of several changes to the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) codes for broadcast and non-broadcast media after a lengthy consultation with industry bodies, Government and advertising agencies.

One of the changes is proving rather controversial. This is the new Code that allows the charity sector to air comparative advertisements on television and radio that compare one charity with another.

Under the Code, charities will be able to compare the work they do with other charities as well compare the way donations are spent.

The change comes at a time when donations are in a major decline as consumers continue to cut back following the recession.

The Governments view is that the charities sector should not been be seen as a “special category” and should be able to launch comparative advertisements as long as they do not break the rules on comparative advertising.

The change brings charities evermore into the commercial arena as they fight to get consumers’ pounds from their pockets. It will be interesting to see whether charities pay careful regard to the Code and do not for example denigrate their competitors. Or, whether there will be an influx of complaints made that comparisons are being made that are misleading consumers.

Fiona Carter

Posted by Fiona Carter
0115 976 6224
fcarter@brownejacobson.com

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Advertising & Marketing, Brands, Charities | No Comments »