Summit on the Role of the Voluntary Sector in Early Help and Early Intervention for Children, Young People and Families in the city

In the light of the recent Ofsted Inspection which found  that Manchester’s Children’s Services and Safeguarding Children’s Board were inadequate, combined with the  recession, public spending cuts and long-standing deprivation in local communities there is a considerable challenge for all sectors working together to provide high quality services.  There is overwhelming evidence that the effects of austerity measures, including the welfare reforms, have increased the challenges that all agencies face in providing services to provide positive activities, fun and play, increase wellbeing and resilience, create strong communities and keep vulnerable children and families safe.

There are key challenges for the city understanding the role the voluntary sector plays in terms of:

• How  VCS groups, particularly small groups work  with children, young people  and families (CYPF)  who are under the radar of public sector services
• How VCS groups  works  CYPF with high levels of complex needs
• What can we do working with partners to ensure children and young people get help early enough that it will make a difference?

This summit will be part of a wider programme of work with the Council to increase the connection between the work the VCS does to support CYPF and the Early Help approach of Manchester City Council.

For further information please contact Beth Plant, Policy & Influence Manager, Macc - [email protected]