Working with children's trusts

The introduction of the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda and the creation of new children’s trusts arrangements, is radically changing the way in local authorities plan and commission services for children, young people and families.

VCS organisations are required to participate in children's trusts arrangements at all levels, to support the delivery of ECM related services and help achieve the five ECM outcomes.

However, In February and March 2007, consultation events held by VCS Engage revealed that there are varying degrees of understanding within the VCS as to the full nature of ECM. There is also uncertainty about the new planning and commissioning process as well as how best to engage in the new structural arrangements.

Click here to download a summary of the findings from the consultation events.

Our work

In response to issues highlighted at the consultation events, VCS Engage delivered a national training programme to help VCS organisations engage more effectively with children’s trusts.

The programme consisted of two training courses:

1. ECM and Your Service
2. Managing Your Environment

The ECM and Your Service course was designed to equip VCS organisations with a solid understanding of the ECM agenda as well as the new commissioning framework. It provided practical advice on how organisations could redefine, monitor and evaluate their services in line with the five ECM outcomes.

The Managing Your Environment course examined what makes partnerships work in the context of children’s trusts arrangements and provided tools for effective representation as well as ways to manage change and resolve conflict.

Over 600 VCS organisations booked to attend the training which ran until November 2007.

Resources

A wide range of useful information about children’s trusts already exists and is available to the VCS. Click here to access our comprehensive signposting page.

 

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