HCTP Induction Event Role of the Voluntary Sector in HCTP and Children’s Workforce May 2009

The term Voluntary sector is interchangeable with the terms third sector, not for profit sector and voluntary community sector. Important principle of being formed to benefit individuals / community Surpluses are reinvested in the service (profit not a motive) Voluntary organisations can have paid staff and volunteers What is the voluntary sector

Management by committee, turnover of £5,000+ can be registered as a charity or company limited by guarantee To operate requires goodwill of community / beneficiaries - majority of activities are non-statutory (exceptions are the delivery of some public services) Voluntary organisations cover the whole spectrum of community need What is the voluntary sector

Voluntary organisations provide services across a wide range of activities, e.g. Out of school or pre school activity – Scouts, Guides, Faith Groups, PTA’s Supplementary Language Schools, youth groups, Volunteering, Pre-Schools Sporting activity – Football, Cricket, Hockey, Athletics etc Crisis Support – Homelessness, HomeStart, Parentline Plus, Counselling Voluntary Sector support for Children and Young People

1. Parentline Plus key player in influencing the development of parenting support locally vast experience in working with parents and carers, especially those who have not or will not engage with statutory services In 07 /08 supported 10,788 parents through Hertfordshire Parentline, through outreach work, local or direct services, stands, parent evenings, support groups, programmes / courses and workshops to over 1600 parents Examples of Organisation Work

2. Dacorum Paradise Furniture and Training Service Providing training in a range of subjects to engage young people not in education, employment or training. Courses include forklift truck driving, basic construction skills and beauty therapy Delivered currently from site in Hemel Hempstead In last year have trained in the region of 350 young people Examples of Organisation Work

3. Margaret Lloyd Playgroup, Hemel Hempstead Have 60 to 70 two to four year olds on the register of Playgroup Also operate all day playschemes at Easter and Summer Holidays Volunteers have raised over £150,000 to improve facilities in last 18 years Premises used as community resource for other activities, Hemel Toy Library, Ballet, Children’s parties Pilot Group for Flexibility Pathfinder, which offers care to children where families on benefit Examples of Organisation Work

Independent, Non-Judgmental (not seen as part of establishment) Hands on work with community = good knowledge of needs Energy, enthusiasm (committed to the cause) Flexibility of approach – more able to adapt and change Access to funding sources / public donations / Gift Aid Ability to channel community goodwill and improve quality of life Advantages of Voluntary Sector

Large number of organisations = many voices and opinions (also a strength) Potential to be over reliant on small number of willing trustees / staff / volunteers Short-term funding can lead to hand to mouth existence and impact on capacity to engage Difficult to keep up with moving agenda and to release staff / volunteers for training Disadvantages of voluntary sector

Voluntary sector is a key constituency for consultation and participation in the development of Children’s Trusts at county and district level Sector represented on various planning groups; e.g. Safeguarding Board, Workforce Reform, Participation, 10 x District Partnerships etc Input into Third Sector Strategic Commissioning Group Front – line service delivery role – as outlined in previous slide – HCC CSF funds over 200 voluntary sector groups The Role in HCTP

The delivery of Children’s Centres – voluntary sector led Centres are part of the mixed economy of provision Close partnership working – e.g. Extended Schools, Pre-Schools, Youth Connexions, Primary Care Trust etc Voluntary Sector Annual Conference as part of a strategy of disseminating information and having input into planning Above underpinned by a three year Action Plan The Role in HCTP

/ Engagement with the Voluntary and Community Sector: Hertfordshire’s Action Plan (Approved: February 2009)

Workforce Development is key to enacting the Every Child Matters agenda. Funding received from Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to promote private and voluntary sector engagement. Activities include: Provision of training opportunities Bursary scheme to support groups access training Working with statutory sector to plan workforce development strategy, to participate in events such as today and communicate key messages to sector – e.g. Common Assessment Framework, Integrated Practice etc Children’s Workforce Development

Opportunities for Voluntary Sector Organisations from engaging in Workforce Development agenda Access to joint induction, potential for joint recruitment and shared approach to retention More connected information and understanding Increase scope for accessing joint training For more information on Hertfordshire Private Vol Sector Engagement in Workforce Development – contact Shaddy Mansouri-Marsh Children’s Workforce Development

This presentation is an introduction to the role of the voluntary sector in supporting children, young people and their families. More information on the sector can be obtained from: Members of the Herts CVS Group – contact details from Pro-Action Herts – Chief Executive Nick Webb – Presentation from Mark Mitchell, Chief Executive, Community Action Dacorum, 48 High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP1 3AF – Tel: – Role of the Voluntary Sector in HCTP and Children’s Workforce