1. Developing Workforce Strategies and Action Plans: A VCS Perspective Kevin Garrod Regional Development Manager Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

2. The Concept A regional `platform’, `Council’ or Forum for the Children and Young Peoples VCS (CYPVCS) Representative and inclusive of the sectors partners Has a clear mandate and purpose Has cross sector cross agency support Fits with and develops the sectors existing structures Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

3. Children Matter East Children’s Trusts and Association of Directors for Children’s Services Regional Change for Children agents, CWDC,TDA, TfC, YJB WSPP leads Network Voluntary Youth Services National VCS support partners- NCVYS, CE, and NAVCA DCSF, Go East Team leaders and CSA’s Regional non CYP specialist VCS support, i.e. BME, Rural Children England regional Network Generalist VCS support services Supported by an Executive, COVER and VCS Engage capacity Children Trusts & LSCB VCS representatives Children & Peoples VCS Forums or Networks Health in the region/ Funders

4. Work Strands Developing the `partnership’ Work with GOR – NI7 Healthy Third sector Workforce Development Support to smaller organisations (opt out) Support to local partners Safeguarding – regional delivery of National Third Sector Safeguarding Unit Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

5. Delivery Research and advocacy, Clear Expectations `Census’, Benchmarking & comparative data 2x year Forums and a larger conference Website/ knowledge hub Vetting and Barring Scheme road shows Developing a regional commissioning framework for the sector, including guidance for the VCS / partners on; Safeguarding, Quality, Workforce and Integrated Workforce Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

7. Local WSPP learning and reflections Required continued support Milestone management crucial to success Supporting the right part of the sector?? Lots of good practice and achievement Models of delivery = distance to travel Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

8. Regional WSPP pilots evolve Focusing targeted support to WSPP Providing a cohesive view of activity Filling up the gaps Providing a route for future development Complementing the local offer Very strategic Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

9. What does best practice look like? Proportionate and recognises LA and VCS need Supports all CYPVCS (not Ofsted) Provides immediacy in terms of quick wins Has a committed steering group and membership of LA workforce Steering group Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

10. Outcomes Post holders to support the sectors engagement around integrated practice and workforce Better recognition Better access to training/ CPD- individual and organisational Safer sector Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

11. More then just workforce 47.4 % of VCS 30% of all those working in the VCs are with CYP organisations The sector will remain fragile Workforce is not a silo on its own in the sector Commissioning, marketing and management all have training needs Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

12. Embedding the VCS in Strategies Partial Dependent on local leadership and relative strength Needs higher (Trust) level sign up /NI 7 Healthy third sector indicator Some approaches are not helpful Integration for the VCS is only developing now and slowly Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

13. Embedding the VCS in Strategies Requires a whole CYPVCS articulation – organisational not personal In context Equality Ready to accept the cost implications Understanding commissioning intentions Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

14. Fitting it all together Generic third sector support (3SWDC) Volunteering support Gap in Ofsted Frameworks Drive to raise standards Section 10 On the inside Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum

15. Key Messages WSPP future remains unclear Integration and integrated practice are still works in progress Commissioning is still a work in progress The sector has its own needs Safeguarding has to be a VCS priority and is a microcosm of current challenges and opportunities Children Matter East East of England Children and Young Peoples VCS Forum