Latest News and Application Deadlines

New opportunity to influence the city's Youth Crime Strategy

A new opportunity has arisen for voluntary and community organisations to play a major role in influencing the cities youth crime strategy.

The Safer Birmingham Partnership Youth Crime Strategy Group which oversee, influence and facilitate all matters in relation to youth crime in Birmingham are welcoming the involvement of the CYP voluntary sector on six priority groups.

There are to be 6 themed priority groups – who will be charged with addressing the 6 Key priorities from the Action Plan.  These priorities are:

• Intervening early
• Supporting young victims
• Breaking the cycle of offending
• Dealing with unacceptable behaviour
• Proportionate sentencing
• Infrastructure

VCS Matters are now seeking expression of interests from the sector for individuals willing to volunteer their time and expertise to serve on one or more of these priority groups.

You would need to be already operating at a strategic level with knowledge of the youth crime agenda to apply. Contact Len on 0121-678-8884 for more information or email leonardm@bvsc.org   -  Download expression of interest application here.

Applications close: Tuesday 7 September 2010

New Children's Trusts statutory guidance

‘As the third sector has an essential contribution to make, every Children’s Trust Board should include third sector representation’ says the Children’s Trusts statutory guidance that has just been published following a consultation process which included a response from VCS Matters (which is listed in the guidance under useful links).

The guidance is an important milestone in helping the VCS and the health sector, schools and other partners in the Children's Trust draw on support from each other to deliver their priorities for children and young people. It sets out in one place what a Children’s Trust is, what it does, how it improves the lives of local children, young people and families and the essential steps to be taken in preparing the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP). 

For a summary of key points for the VCS including an update on the situation in Birmingham go to http://www.vcsmatters.org/new-childrens-trusts-statutory-guidance

Skilling Up for Stronger Voices training

You may not be able to express an interest in becoming a VCS Matters Representative because you need more information and training.  No problem.   We are now aiming to expand our training to increase the sectors capacity to respond to this growing need to have VCS representation across the city.  If you would like to register fo the Skilling Up for Stronger Voices training  please contact Leonardm@bvsc.org or call 0121-678-8884

 For more information about the training see here.