Mapping of VCS activity against LAA priorities

1. Mapping of VCS activity against LAA priorities Key findings A presentation by Jenny Phaure

2. Purpose of mapping exercise • MVSC commissioned a brief mapping of VCS activity as part of engaging VCS in Local Area Agreements • To raise awareness about sector contribution to priorities • Inform future commissioning • Propose service alternatives (in a more cost effective way)

3. Methodology • Development of a template across each LAA block • Circulation of template to all funded groups and organisations that attended the consultation (71 groups) • A consultation event • 16 phone interviews and 10 face to face interviews • Liaison with thematic leads on process and purpose • Liaison with VCS representatives on the CEN

4. Government guidance • Widen VCS participation in local partnership structures • Increase the involvement of users and communities in commissioning decisions • Encourage take up of neighbourhood management schemes • Create more sustainable funding sources for the VCS to ensure effective participation

5. Key findings • National policy context • Involving VCS in LAA’s – shaping and delivering local services • Strengthening the capacity of the VCS • Enhancing efficiency, strengthening partnership working, community leadership role • Simplify performance management • More co-ordinated approach to community engagement • National procurement – manage services that will better meet community plan objectives (with a range of partners) • Community based provision, more preventative services

6. Key findings • National policy (continued) • All national policies place an emphasis on community based provision (ECM, DfES higher standards better schools for all, Respect Action Plan, NSF for older people etc)

7. Key findings • Local priorities • Community Plan focus on creating stronger communities (community engagement and cohesion, strengthening the role of the VCS and celebrating diversity) • VCS recognised as key partner in achieving vision for neighbourhood renewal across the Eastern Wards • PCT focused on implementing reforms that include a wider provider base • Focus on providing treatment closer to home • Early Years and Childcare strategy seeks to provide joined up services that are accessible and affordable • The development of a wider provider base and more effective multi agency working (CCM) • Voluntary sector management of the Children’s Fund has been significant in building the capacity of VCS as a provider

8. Key findings • LAA key achievements • The development of a VCS statement of involvement • Change Up funds investment to ensure effective engagement of VCS in LAA • Facilitating feedback on each draft of the LAA • Consultation with VCS on LAA • Liaison with GOL on engagement and alignment

9. Key findings • LAA achievements • Liaison with thematic leads and Heads of Service • Alignment of the Children’s Fund as a set of preventative services that directly support a number of targets in C and F block • Liaison on Volunteering target • Feedback to block leads on outcomes of mapping exercise • The effective development of a Community Engagement Network that supports the mandatory target within the SSC block

10. Key findings (outcomes from mapping) • Out of 70 templates 26 VCS organisations participated (37%) • Children and Families Block • 17 VCS organisations participated providing services across 14 CYP targets • The majority (13) provided services across the following targets: • Improve behaviour through reducing the number of pupils receiving exclusions and improving attendance (CYP4) • Tackling bullying in primary schools through developing the social and emotional skills of pupils (CYP5) • Increase the level of participation in mainstream education (CYP6)

11. Key findings • Children and Families Block • The range of services in support of these targets included: Workshops for parents with disabilities, parenting skills workshops, solution focused therapy, funding for educational activities, small group and whole class work, advice and mediation for young runaways, Home School Link project, Youth Action programme, alternative education for excluded pupils, Visual Youth Programme et, school exclusion support programme for parents, support for refugee and asylum seeking children, participation project, Aiming High programme for teenage parents etc

12. Key findings • Children and Families block (cont) • 60% of services provided financial data (funding crossed a number of services) • Highest level of funding reported against CYP 4 (£805,639) with majority of funding received from trusts (37%) followed by LBM grants/contracts (30%) and the Children’s Fund (15%) • LBM grants and contracts reported as highest funder against 6 of CYP targets followed by trusts (4) and Children’s Fund (2)

13. Key findings • Healthier communities and older people • 14 organisations participated providing services across 12 out of 14 targets • The majority (9) provided services in support of the following two targets: • Reducing health inequalities within the local area (HO1) • Over 50’s participating in activities and classes commissioned or provided by statutory bodies (HO4)

14. Key findings • Healthier communities and older people (cont) • The range of services included: Community play rangers, green gym, a help service network project, the ageing well project, social activities and classes, care and repair service, sports and health facilities, health walk projects, respite care, festival for older people, computer training and third age university etc

15. Key findings • Healthier communities and older people (cont) • 50% of services provided financial data crossing a number of services • The highest level of funding was reported against HO8 with the majority of funds self generated followed by grants/contracts • Self generated funds was the largest source of funding across 4 targets as was LBM contracts/grants and trusts were the largest funder against target HO1

16. Key findings • Safer and Stronger Communities block • 9 organisations participated providing services across 15 out of 16 targets • The majority (6) provided services in support of the following two targets: • Reduction in overall British Crime rates (SS1) • Increase in number of people recorded as or reporting that they have engaged in formal volunteering on an average of two hours per week (SS11)

17. Key findings • Safer and stronger communities block • 52% of organisations provided financial data • The highest level of funding was reported against SSA with the majority of funding received through the Children’s Fund followed by Big Lottery and then Trusts • Big Lottery funding was the largest source of funding against 4 targets followed by trusts (2) Children’s Fund (2) and the LDA (2)

18. Key findings • Economic development block • 5 organisations participated providing services across five targets (ED1-5) • The majority (3) provided services in support of the following target: • Adults gaining skills for life qualification • The highest level of funding was reported against ED1 with funds mostly from ESF followed by LDA funds • ESF funding was the largest source against 2 targets followed by LDA against 1

19. Recommendations • That outcomes from the mapping are fed back to each thematic partnership to inform delivery plans • The direct contribution that the VCS are making to local targets is embedded in local planning and future commissioning • That funding to support the capacity of the VCS to participate in LAA’s is identified by the LSP (to ensure local services meeting local needs are incorporated into commissioning priorities) • That a more in depth state of the sector mapping exercise is undertaken (to incorporate more in depth financial data and wider range of providers, included unfunded groups)