Regional Development Manager -
South East

VCS Engage South East overall aims:

To improve the effectiveness of the Children, Young People (CYP&F) and Families Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) engagement with Every Child Matters (ECM) Agenda in the South East by:

• Building the capacity of the VCS to engage in Children's Trusts at the strategic level in needs analysis, planning and commissioning
• Increasing the confidence and skills of the VCS to enter the children's services market and compete with other providers on a level playing field
• Encourage collaboration and co-operation across the VCS and with strategic partners and providers in both the public and private sectors
• 
  This will be achieved by:
  
  
• Developing effective networks and partnerships of the CYP&F VCS across the South East
• Supporting the effective representation of the CYP&F VCS in regional and local strategic planning forums
• Providing capacity building support to regional and local infrastructure groups and VCOs
• Lobbying and influencing local and regional government around the engagement of the CYP&F VCS in service planning and delivery
• Providing targeted support to key areas in line with local and regional priorities
• 
  Current areas of focus:
  
  
• Workforce integration (One Children's Workforce)
• Commissioning and consortia
• Local VCS networks and partnership with LAs
• Formation of a regional VCS forum
• 
  Current research: Every Contribution Matters -
  
  Every Contribution Matters is a joint project between the East and South East regions VCS that work with children, young people and their families. The work is sponsored by the principal regional agencies that provide support to the sector, including; two DSCF funded programmes (Safe Network and VCS Engage) the two regional umbrella organizations (RAISE and COVER) and both Government offices.
  
  The research began in the late autumn in the Eastern region exploring the 'Be Healthy' and 'Making a Positive Contribution' outcomes, the early results have provided the momentum to secure resources to deliver two parallel pieces of work principally in the South East region, namely; 'Stay Safe' and 'Enjoy and Achieve'.
  
  The research's aims are broadly to;

1. Map and articulate the contribution of the sector to Children Trusts and their partners achieving improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.
   
2. Explain the policy context in which these contributions are made and identifies the performance criteria against which they are assessed.
   
3. Identify priorities for the sector and its partners whose implementation will help the sector continue to deliver its distinctive contribution to improving outcomes.
   The research will be published on 7th June 2010 via widespread dissemination and the relevant websites
   
   What do you need to do? The research focuses on a case study approach collecting and reflecting best practice, so this is an opportunity to get your organization and in work centre stage
   
   The project is being led by Justine Henderson from Willoughby's/ETC. Justine and her team can be contacted at 01245 363778 / 07919188998 or willoughbys@mac.com
   
   The full report can be downloaded here

Slides from event:

• Commissioning Support Programme
  
• Integrated Workforce (Brighton & Hove experience)
  
• Every Contribution Matters