South West
VCS Engage work in the South West region has focused on mapping
and consultation with appropriate VCS partners. The steering group
of key partners in the region is working to develop a regional 0-19
VCS forum.
Mapping of the key contacts for the children,
youth and families VCS in each Local Authority area can be found
here [pdf 41kb].
Regional meetings
Key VCS representatives
from the localities meet periodically to share information and best
practice and identify gaps where additional work may be needed.
Black and Minority Ethnic VCS
Working with Black South West Network, a
consultant has been appointed to address BME VCS engagement and
representation in Children’s Trusts across the region as this has
been identified as a major gap.
Additional support
Due to willingness from
each of the Peninsula LAs, a collaboration between Devon, Cornwall,
Plymouth and Torbay will receive additional support from the RDMs
aimed at developing the link between the LA and VCS and improving
the VCS’s ability to engage in the commissioning process at every
stage.
Other LAs willing to improve practice have been asked to work
collaboratively (VCS/LA) to identify the most strategically
important achievable goals to improve VCS engagement.
Good practice
Examples of good or emerging practice will be added to this
section:
Somerset: CHYPPS [pdf 393kb]
Commissioning
Collaborative work has taken place with the South West Centre of
Excellence regarding a development plan for a LA
commissioning network. Reports from the first event with
commissioners can be found here: