"With the full engagement of voluntary and community sector organisations, who provide the full spectrum of children's services, and lobby and campaign on behalf of children and young people, Every Child Matters can become a reality"

Clare Tickell, Chief Executive NCH

 

Welcome to VCS Engage

VCS Engage is a national programme, designed to strengthen the engagement of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda.

The programme is delivering a comprehensive range of training and support packages to help VCS organisations acquire the skills and knowledge needed to successfully engage in the new framework, and strengthen the sector’s involvement in the planning, commissioning and delivery of services for children, young people and their families.

By supporting increased collaboration between all agencies working to deliver Every Child Matters (ECM) related services, VCS Engage aims to improve outcomes for all children, young people and families.

The programme is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The central team is based at the National Children's Bureau with a regional team co-ordinated by NCVCCO.

 

Continuing the Debate Conference

On Friday 14 March 2008, VCS Engage held a conference to highlight the achievements of the programme so far and to gather feedback to inform future activities under the programme.The Continuing the debate conference explored some of the work the programme has undertaken around a number of the programme strands including Extended Schools Service, Social Enterprise, Self Evaluation Toolkit and engaging at regional levels.The conference, a mixture of key speakers and workshops, came up with a number of key recommendations.


Recent developments

  • VCS Engage has trained a further 18 trainers to deliver the in-demand commissioning training. Click here to see who is training in your region.

  • New extended schools guide
    Mon, Feb, 18 2008

    This new publication provides an overview of the extended schools agenda; including case studies, advice and guidance for those organisations wishing to take the first steps.

  • Due to high demand, VCS Engage are pleased to announce additional training dates in Manchester, Leicester, Exeter, Sheffield and London.


 

Consortium members

NCH NAVCA FWA Parenting UK NCVCCO NCVYS NCB