New strategy to improve working with the third sector

31 Jul 2009 09:34 AM

Children’s Minister Delyth Morgan yesterday launched a new strategy outlining how Government will work with the third sector to improve the life chances of children, young people and their families at a visit to the Barking and Dagenham Foyer.

 

The foyer was opened in December 2008 and caters for young people aged 16-25 offering a range of services in one place, including accommodation with support for 116 residents, an information advice and guidance centre, life skills and employability training and healthy living programmes.

 

Building on the strategy and action plan published by the Department for Education and Skills in 2007, today’s publication, Third sector strategy and action plan: Intentions into action, was produced in partnership with the DCSF’s Third Sector Group.

 

The DCSF already works closely with a wide range of third sector organisations and today’s publication outlines the Department’s principles, pledges and commitments for continuing and improving this work, including:

 

• Improving standards of commissioning by increasing awareness and understanding across DCSF and its partners of what the third sector can provide and by helping third sector organisations to better participate in the commissioning process.

 

• Aiming to reduce bureaucracy by working across Government and local authorities to ensure that all information requested is meaningful and useful, and where possible can be used by a number of different funders.

 

• Identifying and implementing improved ways of communicating and listening to the third sector.

 

Delyth Morgan said:

 

“The Government has built up strong and valuable relationships with many diverse third sector organisations, who share our passions and goals. We value their expertise in helping us develop policies and their ability to reach out to children, young people and families to deliver support and services that meet their needs.

 

“We want the third sector to continue to play a vital role in policy development and to be actively involved in the planning, design and delivery of local services. That is why we have developed this strategy, outlining how the Government will support and encourage a third sector that works for the benefit of us all.”

 

Jane Slowey, Interim vice chair of the Third Sector National Learning Alliance and a Third Sector Group member said:

 

“The third sector has a long history of working successfully with some of the more disadvantaged groups in the community. We welcome this commitment for improved partnership working with the DCSF, which should help to bring about improved services for children, young people and families in the whole country.”

 

Christian Woodhead, Assistant Director of Care and Support Services at East Thames Group said:

 

“The Barking and Dagenham Foyer is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when we work closely with Government and the Third Sector to focus on the interests of young people. We recognise we can’t do it all on our own but, through working with our partners and listening to young people, we’ve been able to offer a wide range of services in one place and made it easier for young people to access housing, employment, health and cultural services. We hope this strategy will encourage more partnership working to provide better services for young people and families.”

 

The Barking and Dagenham Foyer houses an information advice and guidance centre on-site for the use of all young people living in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham which delivers a wide range of services, including Connexions, welfare benefits advice, legal advice, and a health and wellbeing suite provided by Barking and Dagenham NHS. There is also a Digital Media Enterprise Centre which will provide training, accreditation and employment opportunities in the digital media sector for young people in the borough who are not in education, training or employment.

 

Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'

1. The government defines the third sector as non-governmental organisations that are value-driven and which principally reinvest their surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives. This reflects the diversity of the sector’s activities and organisational structures. It includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals.

 

2. The Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) already works with the third sector in a number of ways, and in 2009-10 will provide direct funding of some £240 million to third sector organisations for infrastructure support and the delivery of services.

 

3. A copy of the strategy can be downloaded at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/thirdsector

 

4. The DCSF’s Third Sector Group comprises key third sector infrastructure organisations, representative umbrella groups and direct delivery organisations who can speak on behalf of children, young people and families. The Group’s role is to:

 

• Help strengthen the position of the third sector, thus enabling it to play an increasingly active part in contributing to our agenda

 

• hold the Department to account and enable us to understand more fully the implications of our policies for and on the third sector

 

Membership can be found at Annex B of the document.

 

Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk