Len Simkins

• After 8 years as Manager of Bedfordshire County Council's Welfare Rights Unit (1991 - 1999), I set up Infotrain to use my extensive experience in social welfare and advice training to further develop and support the local advice sector. Having worked with over 70 organisations in Bedfordshire and the Eastern Region I have an established reputation as a specialist in :
  

• advice and voluntary sector issues
• staff development and training course design and delivery
• quality systems and standards for VCS organisations

• I know how to articulate and develop the vision of VCS organisations. I have supported Bedfordshire Advice Forum, represented Advice UK in the Eastern Region, assisted in setting up Advice Alliance East and supported Advice Alliance East Midlands.
• I have been involved in anti-poverty initiatives in Bedfordshire and Luton - advising in the development of Child Poverty Strategies in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
• I have direct experience of giving benefits advice, managing case work and representing clients at benefit tribunals and advising on disability discrimination issues.
As a teacher, and then trainer and tutor (including on-line tutoring) I have considerable experience of analysing training needs as well as designing and delivering training courses and programmes.

I am also:

• A partner of Quality Development Services - a specialist NVQ assessment centre providing support services relating to NVQs in Advice and Guidance.
  
• Chair of Voluntary Organisations for Children, Young People and Families - the network for VCS organisations in the children's sector in Bedfordshire
  
• Company Secretary of Advice Bedfordshire - Bedfordshire Advice Forum's trading company
• An accredited trainer with Citizens Advice and Turn2Us
• Manager of the Under 18s football team at Brickhill Wanderers Football Club