Archived decisions
Business Case for the Hampshire CYP VCS Alliance
Background
Services for children and young people in Hampshire are going through a period of unprecedented change.
The challenge for the community and voluntary sector is to develop its capacity to stay fully engaged with the change process - ensuring that we remain a strong and diverse sector contributing to county wide and local strategies in delivering for children and young people.
Engagement with the statutory sector requires both more robust structures and more effective communication routes. It would help us achieve this economically and effectively if we worked even more co-operatively than we do currently.
What an Alliance will do
Any formalised alliance would have to operate with the enthusiastic support of the sector and would be organised on a democratic, inclusive and representative basis. Its scope and terms of reference would be negotiated and accepted by its members. 28 local, county and regional organisations have already signed up in principle to the proposal and the following "vision" for an alliance is ready for ratification at launch meetings planned in February 2006
o The principal function of the alliance would be to provide a ready channel for communication between statutory organisations and the sector on children, young people and family issues . It would be a communication hub, avoiding duplication of effort and maximising the impact of the sector.
o The alliance would support strong voluntary sector representation in the future planning for children's and young people's services. It would provide a "constituency" for representatives on various planning groups to draw on information and support of a wide group of members, and to ensure the contributions of all parts of the voluntary sector
o The alliance would not duplicate or prejudice the direct relationships between statutory organisations and individual organisations. It would add value by enabling member organisations to access information related to policy, training, consultation and representation to the children and young people VCS sub-sector in Hampshire.
o The alliance would provide networking opportunities and the chance to share resources and expertise across the sector. It would contribute to mapping the work undertaken by the VCOs in the county that contributes to the fulfilment of the CYPP; and raise awareness of good practice with statutory partners and other stakeholders.
o The alliance would assist in facilitating better and more inclusive arrangements for the involvement of children, young people and their families.
o The alliance could investigate sector wide issues in a collaborative way - for example workforce development and the availability and affordability of training. Or it might look at the capacity of the sector to respond to the opportunities offered by changes in the commissioning regime and by emerging children's trusts mentioned in Every Child Matters and Youth Matters green paper.
o It could assist in engaging under-represented VCOs, such as sports associations, which have the potential to help more children and young people achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes. One member organisation has already committed funding from reserves to develop such a project, and has indicated agreement to provide this as part of an Alliance work plan.
Outcomes
o Improving the capacity of VCS organisations to deliver services
o Mutually beneficial relationships with the statutory sector
o Adherence to the Compact
o Consistent communications between statutory sector and VCS and within the VCS including single point of contact on defined issues
o Information sharing using existing web sites (HantsFish, eVolve)
o Advice and guidance to VCS about statutory structures and processes
o Advice and guidance to statutory sector about VCS complexities
o Gap analysis and strengthening work (through commissioning)
o Coordination of cross cutting initiatives
o Reduction in duplication
o Engagement of yet to be reached sub sectors (sport)
Membership and Governance
o Membership of the alliance would be open to umbrella organisations and to service providers operating in more than one district in Hampshire with an interest in children and young people.
o Individual local VCS groups would continue to use their umbrella organisations or CVS to engage with the alliance.
o It terms of governance - the alliance would have a steering group elected from the membership. There would be safeguards about the extent of the role of this group.
o To be effective the alliance will require its own staff resource to handle the co-ordination required to maximise its effectiveness.
Administration
The development of the Alliance is a joint initiative between HCVYS and CAH, with HCVYS providing the lead from within the children and young people voluntary sector, and policy and administration support coming from CAH.
Timescales, Resources and Exit Strategy
The Alliance will be delivered through the work of its constituent members and through a dedicated fulltime fixed term post of a Children and Young Person Development Manager. The post will be funded from a combination of government grants, VCS loans and statutory sector funding for three years. The post will be accountable to the Alliance steering group and will be managed by a VCS organisation selected to host the post and provide administrative support. Capital investment will be minimal. A detailed budget and cash flow projection has been developed. It is likely that some form of dedicated resource for the Alliance will be required after the three year period proposed. The Alliance steering group will agree an exit strategy or seek further funding during the third year of the project.
Appendix 1
Members of the Alliance network
Carers Together
Children's Society
Community Action Hampshire *
Community First New Forest *
Fairbridge
Forest Bus
Hampshire Autistic Society
Hampshire Children and Families Forum
Hampshire Scouts
KIDS South East
Pre-school Learning Alliance
Homestart
HCVYS
Hampton Trust
NCH
NSPCC
Parentline Plus
Rose Road Association
SNAPS
Solent Mind
Solent Youth Action
Winchester Area Community Action *
Youth Clubs Hampshire & IOW
* In addition all Councils of Voluntary Service in Hampshire have expressed support in principle for the Alliance proposals