Overarching Strategic Partnership

NCVYS is a partner in the Department for Education's overarching strategic partnership. The partnership aims to support the evolving economy and infrastructure of the whole voluntary, community and social enterprise sector serving children, young people and families. It is also funded to share the best practice, expertise, learning and concerns of the sector with the DfE in developing policy.

Led by Children England, in partnership with Community Matters, NCVYS, NAVCA, the Race Equality Foundation and the Social Enterprise UK, the partnership will use its extensive combined member networks and stakeholder groups to shape and deliver its programme, and to gather the perspectives of thousands of organisations and community groups. This will include providing information, learning resources, events and peer networks, to support organisations to learn from each other, improve sustainability and explore the potential for growth from diverse funding mechanisms, public sector commissioning, building consortia and entrepreneurial ways of doing business.

Events

NCVYS, on behalf of the partnership will be holding a number of policy classes, seminars and roundtables in 2012-13. This follows successful events in 2011-12; details, briefing papers and slides are available. 

Publications

NCVYS has produced a number of briefing papers, consultation responses and factsheets on behalf of the partnership. The briefing papers and consultation responses can be found under the relevant policy topic pages.

Factsheet 1: Social Enterprise Jargon Buster, clarifies terms used in the social enterprise sector, for those working with children and young people. Factsheet 1 (PDF)

Factsheet 2: Social Finance for Social Enterprise, clarifies financial terms and models commonly used by charities and social enterprises. It should not be used as a basis for making important financial decisions. Factsheet 2 (PDF)

Factsheet 3: Organisational Structures, provides information on a range of organisational structures. Some of these are drawn from statutory arrangements which organisations may wish to consider when planning future work and deciding which model best helps them deliver.  The information contained in this briefing should not be used as a basis for making important legal decisions; advice should be sought. Factsheet 3 (PDF)

Handbook: Youth led social enterprise, aiming to give anyone working in the children, young people, families and communities (CYPF) sector a greater understanding and knowledge of ‘youth led’ social enterprise. March 2012 - Handbook (PDF)

Report on year 1: Learning from Catalyst strand 1 ‘strengthening the youth sector market’, Key messages from Catalyst strand 1 work on social investment and social enterprise. March 2012 - Year 1 Report (PDF)

Further information

To find out more about the overarching partnership read Improving Outcomes – overarching strategic partnership VCS bulletin (February/March 2012). Sign up to the communications by contacting Children England on 0207 833 3319 or by emailing:

Kathy Evans: kathy@childrenengland.org.uk 

Kevin Garrod: kevin@childrenengland.org.uk 

Nick Davies: nick@childrenengland.org.uk 

You can also read more about the overarching strategic partnership on Children England's website here: