THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ASSEMBLY A Model for Partnership Working

1. THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ASSEMBLYA Model for Partnership Working Jess Mace Gloucestershire VCS Assembly Team Manager

2. Gloucestershire Context • Population 564,559 (2001 census) across 6 urban and rural districts • At least 2,830 VCOs • Mainly children and young people’s services and health and social care • 50% organisations have NOpaid staff. • ‘economic’ value of unpaid volunteer time, in survey of 245 organisations alone, was interviewed was £4.7million

3. The Gloucestershire Assembly for the Voluntary and Community Sector Aim: To strengthen and support the VCS in Gloucestershire by providing a strategic voice for the sector, as well as an arena for discussion and action.

4. 5 Key Ingredients • Engaging and evolving structure • Sustained funding and dedicated team • Clear and integrated work programme ( incl. Compact) • Consulting, delivering and communicating outcomes (eg Bulletin, website) • Addressing inequalities • Leadership • Separation of support and representation

5. 1. Engaging and evolving structure 2003 - Assembly Board established bringing together reps from 25 different geographical and specialist networks plus co-optees 2005 – 5 VCS Strategy groups developed to mirror LSP’s thematic groups 2008 – Chairs and Vice Chairs of Strategy Groups, districts and cross-cutting themes replace previous Assembly Board 2009 – Equality and Diversity Advisory Group established

6. Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Assembly Structure Diagram and Relationship to Multi-Sector Partnerships Gloucestershire VCS Assembly GIG support Voluntary or Community Group Cross Cutting Themes & Districts VCS Thematic Strategy Groups Strategic voice Safer and Stronger Communities Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing Economic, Employment, Skills Environment Equality and Diversity Advisory Group VCS Assembly Board of Representatives Children and Young People Strategic Partnership Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership Health and Wellbeing Strategic Partnership Accountable Bodies Group Gloucestershire First Environment Partnership Gloucestershire Strategic Partnership Community Strategy Executive Board Gloucestershire Conference

7. 2. Sustained funding and dedicated team • County council contract • Leverage for other funding • Dedicated and growing team: • Manager • Generic Development Worker • Children and Young People Development Worker • Information Officer • Administrator • Putting People First Development Worker • VCS Commissioning Project

8. 3.Clear and Integrated work programme • Agreed with Assembly Board • Incorporating development of Compact etc

9. 4. Consulting and communicating • Early notice and involvement in consultations • Extensive communication via Bulletin, website • Evidencing outcomes • Challenge of 2 tier working

10. Examples of Outcomes 2008 Successful lobbying • Established the Environment Partnership and include Natural and Built Environment block in LAA • Included play and leisure in the county’s Children and Young People’s plan • Ensured independent evaluation of county children and young people’s services commissioning round • VCS groups included in consultation about Supporting People domestic abuse services – change in process

11. 5. Addressing inequalities • EHRC Funded research in 2008 • Focus on county wide organisations with no paid staff working with disadvantaged communities • 41% had no previous direct contact with Assembly but wish to increase influence • Need for equality action plan and greater face to face outreach ( including evening meetings!)

12. The Gloucestershire VCS Assembly Team • Co-ordinates the work of the Assembly • Provides information to enable the VCS to engage, including www.gloshub.org.uk • Supports the development of the Compact • Is hosted by GAVCA

13. For more information • www.gloshub.org.uk • www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/glosconference

14. Organising Voice In 1896, architect Louis Henri Sullivan said, "Form ever follows function." Organising Voice In 1896, architect Louis Henri Sullivan said, "Form ever follows function."

15. Birmingham Assembly Provide a forum to collectively challenge and champion solutions for the third sector Support third sector organisations to contribute to Birminghams’ Sustainable Community Strategy and the LAA Bring together networks in order to influence and work more effectively with Be Birmingham and its partners the Assembly should be properly sector driven inclusive to smaller organisations offering something different focusing on service users needs able to influence commissioning to improve service delivery VCS Led BASIS funded to include team of BVSC staff 270 VCS organisations in membership

16. Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly enables representatives from voluntary and community organisations to come together to discuss common issues, develop shared strategies and plans support eachother in delivering services to a range of vulnerable and priority groups within the county The Assembly supports joint working with public sector bodies such as the Shropshire Council and Shropshire County Primary Care Trust. The role of the VCS Assembly covers: communication representation and engagement advocacy networking and support capacity building to engage with public sector education and building awareness of VCS in public sector agencies LA Led Housed and staffed by the Partnership Unit of Shropshire County Council budget through the LSP/LAA Budget of £55,000 270 VCS organisations in membership and new forums emerging all the time latest Waste and Recycling and Heritage

17. Brighton and Hove Community & Voluntary Sector Forum VCS member led 500 organisations £350,000 turnover 10 employees To develop community and voluntary sector influence in decision making

18. CEN/CVS led SLA £150,000 per annum LSP/LAA reward money for 2 yrs