We're a charity created, governed and inspired by other charities. Our mission is to change society for England’s children by harnessing the energy, ingenuity and expertise of the voluntary organisations that work on their behalf. One member describes us as “The most intelligent, well-informed and effective champion for children in the UK.”

We have two goals: to keep children at heart in society and to create a sustainable voluntary sector economy.

If yours is a charity that works for children, you’ll know how important it is that we make children central in services and policies that affect them – and how urgent it is that we support each other to make this happen both locally and nationally.

We invite you to join our network of charities, and make our advocacy for children louder and stronger.

Our independence from government funding and our democratic membership structure give us a wealth of sector intelligence and a steadfast commitment to use it for the good of children and their families. We work to achieve systemic change for children by collaborating with a huge range of children’s experts on:

• Clear, fearless analysis and briefing on public services for children and families, in particular funding and commissioning
• Developing bold policy solutions like the national care bank for children and the Children Act Funding Formula
• Collaborating to put people at the heart of services with platforms like the Declaration of Interdependence
• Facilitating campaigns to keep profit-making out of child protection and maintain legal protections for children
• Advocating for the children’s sector through the press, events and influencing networks

Our impact on these big policy issues is necessarily gradual and diffuse, and only achieved by working in partnership with many different people and organisations. Read more about our cumulative impact here.

Membership gives your organisation direct access to free guides and resources, discounted training and consultancy, our free quarterly Funding List and of course a voice in shaping our priorities and sector representation. Member CEOs have the opportunity to stand for election to our board. Read more about the benefits of membership.

Our current members say:

"A powerful voice for the sector"

"Networks and coordination for campaigning and help with learning from each other"

"[Without Children England] the children's VCS could easily become invisible because the general umbrella bodies don't deal with the issues which matter to children and young people"

"Children England provides a means for us to understand and participate in the wider children's policy area, beyond our specialist niche"

"The sector needs a strong voice now more than ever to speak up against the erosion and fragmentation of services for children, young people and struggling families"

Membership fees start at £26 a year for our smallest members.
You can apply for Children England membership online
or contact us for more information.