VOCAL: Children, Young People and Families

VOCAL Children, Young People & Families Forum

The Forum was established in 2005, and aims to improve the lives of children, young people and families

It has representation on the following multi agency strategic partnerships & their relevant sub groups

Membership of the Forum is open to VCSE organisations whose work focuses on Children, Young People & Families within the City of Salford.

Forum Meeting Dates:

Tuesday 4th December 10am to 12pm

Tuesday 5th March 19 10am to 12pm

About VOCAL Children, Young People & Families Forum

Independent voluntary and community organisations are major providers of services to children, young people and families in Salford and have significant expertise to offer in developing strategy and planning. Salford CVS supports voluntary and community organisations in this role through the work of the VOCAL forum.

VOCAL brings together voluntary and community groups working with children, young people and families in Salford, for mutual benefit, representation and to support their organisations development and capacity including the development of quality and good practice in their work.

VOCAL provides broad ranging representation of the interests and views of voluntary and community organisations working with children, young people and families in Salford. VOCAL represents these views to Salford Children and Young People’s Partnership, the Salford Strategic Partnership and other strategic or commissioning bodies as agreed by the Forum. For information on current VOCAL Representatives please see the latest VOCAL Update.

VOCAL representation aims to ensure that our service users interests are considered and our member organisation’s expertise and diverse experience fully informs commissioning and strategy and works with partners towards a more effective, joined up service to better meet the needs of and improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.The full VOCAL forum meets 4 times per year and is open to voluntary and community organisations. Regular email updates from VOCAL are available to members.

VOCAL Children, Young People and Families Forum Resources

VOCAL Contact

Steve Westhead (Development Worker (Safeguarding).
Telephone: 0161 787 7795 ext 220
Email: steve.westhead@salfordcvs.co.uk

0-25 VCSE Research and Development Project

Salford CVS have undertaken a research project alongside the 0-25 Transition work Salford City Council and the NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group are undertaking. Our Research and Development worker, Lucy Sutcliffe, has surveyed, interviewed, run focus groups and generally picked the brains of representatives and participants from 50 Volunteer, Community and Social Enterprise Groups in Salford that work with children and young people. A copy of the report is now available by scrolling down the Project page on the following link:.

Find out more about the project.

Salford Children’s Services Joint Working Protocol with Voluntary and Community Organisations and Social Enterprises

The aim of this protocol is to enhance partnership working between voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE’s) and Salford City Council children’s services. This protocol is intended to assist all partners in the delivery of Salford’s Early Help Strategy www.partnersinsalford.org/earlyhelp.htm and to ensure clear expectations on key safeguarding processes. The protocol particularly recognises the need to work effectively together in the context of reduced resources so that Salford families continue to benefit from a range of appropriate services and activities in the city.

Find out more about the protocol.

Children, Young People and Families Groups

Steve Westhead is the dedicated Development Worker for any voluntary and community organisation (VCO) that works with children, young people and families. Find out more about the support your group can get by contacting Steve on: 0161 787 7795 or  E-mail: steve.westhead@salfordcvs.co.uk.

Or visit our safeguarding and young people page here.

VOCAL Useful Links

Worried about a child?

Salford Safeguarding Children Board

Salford Children and Young People's Trust