Experts Online

Experts Online is one of the services shared by all users. It consists of a set of moderated conferences (online forums) patrolled by experts in their field.

All users are able to post questions, which are promptly answered in the forum by one of the forum experts. Answers that require a confidential reply are answered on a one-to-one basis. You can also browse or search questions.

Each forum also includes an Answer Bank for Frequently Asked Questions, and a Knowledge Bank containing sample policies, templates, tools and guidelines.

The service is FREE to DirectSupport Online subscribers.

The following forums are presently supported - others may be added in the future.

Business Planning
Forum experts: Jane Berry, Elizabeth Gray-King, Peter Gray

Business Planning is a key area for all UK online centres and is likely to be your first stop to ask questions. This forum is run by experienced mentors who have co-authored the UfI Business Planning CD for centres. They will help you identify and gather information, undertake planning activities and writing, and outline finances. They may refer you to other Expert Forums for specific help in Legal, Personnel, Health and Safety and Disability issues. Practical suggestions include template documents and spreadsheet tools, available in the Knowledge Bank area of the forum.
 

Legal Issues
Forum experts: Charlie Cattell, Jane Berry

This expert area deals with Charity Law and the legal aspects of running a Community or Voluntary Sector organisation. Questions asked have included: Charging for a public screening of a DVD film in a Community Centre; Disability Law; AGM Papers; the implications of becoming a charity.
 

Computers and Communications
Forum expert: Brian Rich, Paul Henderson  

All your ICT questions are answered here. Questions asked have ranged from: Use of Firewalls through Client Tracking Systems to Disappearing Desktop Icons. The forum also includes alerts about viruses, anti-virus measures and operating system 'loopholes'. Both PC and Mac users are catered for.
 

Funding Strategies
Forum experts: Pete Gray, Elizabeth Gray-King, Bruce Wright, Jane Berry, Patrick Shore

The Funding Strategies forum offers users guidance and support to research and develop their Fundraising strategies and planning for sustainability. It also highlights sources of funding to support ICT-enabled Learning, Inclusion and Regeneration as well as funding sources for more general projects.

The experts will answer questions, to help users to:

frame documents for income generation, planning and monitoring

identify any possibilities of raising long term income from the services they provide (or could provide) or from the buildings they use

identify any possibilities of raising long term income from any statutory body

identify any possibilities of raising long term income from interactions with their community ('friends' of project, sponsors, donations of equipment or consumables)

identify any work to be 'packaged' for grant funding

discover how to identify funding opportunities from Charitable Trusts, Foundations, Lottery Boards, Regeneration monies, European Funds, Corporations and any new funding streams
 

Health, Safety & Environment
Forum expert: David Head

The Health, Safety & Environment forum deals with the issues of health and safety in the workplace. Questions asked have included: DIY Testing of Electrical Equipment; the Health Implications of Mobile Phones; Max/Min Workplace Temperature.
  

Employment Issues
Forum expert: Frances Hall, David Head

This expert area deals with any issue relating to recruiting and managing staff and volunteers within a voluntary and community sector organisation or SME. Topics covered include Equal Opportunities, contracts of employment, job sharing, working from home, entitlements of part-time staff and pay.
 

Community Engagement
Forum experts: Patrick Shore, Elizabeth Gray-King, Stephen Kearney  

This expert area deals with any issues relating to community engagement such as empowering local communities, tackling social exclusion, delivering training to hard-to-reach learners, or promoting and fostering involvement in community projects.
 

Childcare
Forum experts: Anisa Laher, Patrick Shore

This expert area deals with issues relating to setting up and managing childcare facilities and services, including crèches, sessional childcare and after-school clubs. Topics include the legal requirements that must be addressed when providing childcare (e.g. CRB checks, Ofsted regulations, etc.) and guidance on designing and managing childcare schemes.