Regional Development Manager - London

The VCS Engage programme for London links to and supports the Children England regional development plan. The programme has a Regional Development Manager in post for three days a week. This post links with GOL and the work plan covers the following areas: 

Specific aims

• Targeted support in boroughs, A programme of support is on offer to boroughs both through the self evaluation framework and also through targeted support in key areas;
• Joint facilitation of a network for voluntary sector deliver agencies around workforce development (WSPP) in partnership with CWDC;
• Training and support around commissioning for small groups in partnership with Children England;
• Development and facilitation of networks around representation on both Children's Trust Boards and Local Safeguarding Children's Boards;
• Targeted support and development for BAME organisations around policy and commissioning.

A Pan London approach to voluntary and community sector delivery of children and young people's services

One of the main focuses for the VCS Engage work in London has centred on the development of a Pan London Voluntary and Community Sector Action Plan. This has been brought about to address the challenges facing the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) delivering children and young people's services across London.

The drivers behind this new Pan London approach have included the complexity of delivering the Every Child Matters agenda across 33 Boroughs, alongside the move towards greater commissioning within children's services, workforce development issues and an enhanced focus on effective representation of the VCS in the planning and delivery of services.

This initiative is being supported by the establishment of the ‘London CYP Engage Network', a regional network of local CYP (VCS) networks supported by VCS Engage.

This seeks to create stronger partnership working across VCS umbrella or infrastructure groups working on the 0-19 agenda in London and the network has been working in partnership with Government Office for London to facilitate the development and implementation of the Pan London VCS Action Plan.

The 6 priority areas of the Action Plan are:

• Improved Communications - coordinated communications across the VCS in London.
• Effective Engagement - ensure that VCS organisations are engaged and involved in local regional decision-making.
• Representation and Pan London Specialist Groups - increase the engagement and representation of specialist infrastructure groups in decision-making.
• Promotion of Innovation - to support innovation through partnerships between the statutory sector and VCS.
• Increase Quality Assurance - improved service delivery and commitment to securing quality assured practice.
• Promote Workforce Development - well-trained and qualified workers with clear and affordable development pathways at all levels.

The vision for the work drew on the expertise of a range of statutory and voluntary sector partners to identify priorities, solutions and development of robust partnerships for joint working. This included a review of key needs and priorities across sectors facilitated by VCS Engage and the TDA and an action planning session in June 2008 (funded by GOL) attended by a range of stakeholders. 

Reports/Resources