As part of its abc programme, the Council has been reviewing its processes around children in care in order to safely reduce the number of children being taken into care and the time taken for children to be fostered or adopted. Voluntary organisations have a key role to play, particularly around the early intervention & prevention work for families in crisis which could reduce the need to take children into care and / or maximise the opportunity for them to safely return to their own families. VAC has been holding a series of Children & Young People - Voluntary Sector Network (CYP-VSN) meetings to enable the voluntary sector to engage with the Council on the proposed changes and to build stronger working relationships with the Council as it develops its new Children & Families First model. Some providers are concerned that the new model may be too focused on the Council's internal provision, and may be missing an opportunity to engage the sector's expertise with families in crisis.

The next meeting is on 17th July 10.00 - 12.00 at the Welcome Centre and will feature Andy Pepper, Adrian Coles, Mandie Watson and Louison Ricketts as speakers, including further details on the Government's new Troubled Families initiative. All voluntary organisations welcome - to attend, simply e-mail Rob Allison at r.allison@vacoventry.org.uk