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Reports

Better Together  
 
Children England, in partnership with the Cabinet Office, have published research and guidance to help public servants involve the third sector in policy making the Cabinet Office. The research report makes a series of recommendations for policy including the need for public bodies to coordinate consultations across departments and seek only to undertake consultations where there is capacity to deliver high quality processes which meet the expectations of the consultees. The report also includes a practical handbook on planning and delivering consultation with the third sector. (2008)

Better Together: Improving Consultation with the Third Sector - Report and Handbook

Commissioning: A Better Way?

This study was commissioned by Children England to provide evidence on the impact of current commissioning and procurement processes on the sector. It was designed to explore the experiences of a sample of voluntary organisations over a two year period. The study involved thirteen voluntary organisations, differentiated by size, geographical location and type of work and selected to be  representative of the sector. Interviews were carried out with a key informant from each organisation at two time intervals (in early 2009 and again in early 2010). This report summarises the key findings from the study.

Commissioning: A Better Way?

Commissioning and the Big Society publication

The Commissioning Support Programme and the Kindle coalition of national charities, which includes Children England, have published a guide for commissioners on the role that community organisations can play in the delivery of public services and how to ensure that they make the most effective contribution to the lives of children and young people.

Commissioning and the Big Society publication

Commissioning and the Community Sector (March 2010)

The Kindle Partnership - which incorporates Children England,  Action with Communities in Rural England, Bassac, Community Matters, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, and the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services - has published a guide on commissioning and the community sector.  The guide has been written for community sector organisations to help them better understand how local authority commissioners are working to improve outcomes for children, young people and families and how they can make themselves "commissioning ready".

Kindle - Commissioning and the Community Sector

Counting the Cuts: The impact of public sector spending cuts on children’s charities

It is a challenging time for everyone involved in providing services to children, young people and families; public and voluntary sector alike. Public spending cuts, the ‘Big Society’ policy agenda and the forthcoming public service reform white paper expected to give prominence to the voluntary and community sector as public service providers, combine to create a climate of uncertainty and huge change. It is against this backdrop that Children England has undertaken a comprehensive survey of its members to gain a snapshot impression of the challenges currently facing the children, young people and families’ voluntary sector.

Counting the Cuts: The impact of public sector spending cuts on children's charities

Response from Sarah Teather MP

Social Work Reform Board

In December 2009 the Social Work Task Force made 15 recommendations for the comprehensive reform of the social work profession. In the past year the Social Work Reform Board, on which Children England sits, has brought together key partners from across the sector to develop the recommendations for implementation, monitor and report on progress, and to advise and influence the sector and Government. On 14 December 2010 the Reform Board published a report that sets out the progress that has been made and seeks views on five key areas of reform. The Board is now looking to the wider social work sector to take forward and test proposals and feedback views to support implementation.

Building a Safe and Confident Future - One Year On, Detailed Proposals

Building a Safe and Confident Future - One Year On, Progress Report

College of Social Work Wider Reference Group Meeting Notes - Nov 2010

The Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC)

The Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC) brings together 14 leading children and young people and mental health charities, including Children England, to campaign on behalf of children and young people in relation to their mental health and well-being. CYPMHC is now calling on the Government to implement three major policy changes and has produced policy briefings and a business case to support these.

To re-establish health visitors as trusted support figures for parents and children

To invest an element of the pupil premium for schools in proven early intervention initiatives which support the emotional resilience of children and young people

To ensure no decisions about young people are made without their active involvement in the development, delivery and commissioning of services and in defining the outcomes to improve their mental health and well-being

Improving Children and Young People's Mental Health: The Business Case

Thinking Small When Thinking Big

This briefing summarises the key findings and recommendations of Thinking Small When Thinking Big, a research study commissioned by Children England from GHK Consulting. The study aimed to explore examples of positive steps that can be taken to create and sustain an environment in which smaller voluntary and community sector organisations can thrive.

Thinking Small When Thinking Big - Summary

Thinking Small When Thinking Big - Full Report

Under the Radar

A survey of small voluntary and community sector organisations working with children, young people and families was published in January 2007. The survey asked how small organisations were coping with changes to the way services are organised, such as the advent of Every Child Matters and the move to commissioning arrangements, and what was presenting particular difficulties for organisations. The report highlights some of the challenges faced by small organisations as they try to survive and develop and makes recommendations for strengthening and improving support to these organisations.

Under the Radar

 

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