VCS support Representation Southwark Council Introduction: Southwark’s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy (2017-2022) The council worked together with the VCS to create the Southwark’s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy (2017-2022) In October 2020 the council indicated the need to review the strategy as a result of the impact of covid-19 and the global protests demanding equality and inclusion. Community Southwark will be working with our members on making sure that the new strategy is co-designed with the sector. If you would like to share any feedback about the current strategy or thoughts about the review please contact [email protected] The Southwark's Borough Plan 2020-2022 is available here and the Forward Plans are here. Community Engagement Strategy The Council's Approach to Community Engagement document is here. The Council and the South East London CCG host the Engagement Advisory Group to talk about upcoming public engagement work in both organisations. If you would like to raise any issues about the council's or CCG engagement or consultations please contact [email protected] Funding and Support for VCS Information about the support from the council for local non-for-profit organisations is available here. The most recent - March 2021 - VCS Commissioning Forward Plan is also available there. The most recent VCS grants budget and timescales are here. Information about procurement is available here and the council Contracts Register is available here. The directory of properties to let is here. Commissioning Officers Group This Group sets the agenda for the quarterly Commissioning Board meetings that set the strategic direction and provide strategic guidance on the development of commissioning the VCS in Southwark. Made up of a range of key Council departments and VCS representation through community Southwark, the Group discusses and plans how commissioning can be improved in Southwark, how it fits with the Council agenda's, the funding landscape and needs of people in Southwark. It is informed by the following: The council single commissioning plan (in development) – council wide plan with Fairer Future high level principles Fairer Future Procurement Strategy principles and objectives Tri-partite VCS Strategy Common Purpose Common Cause Common Outcomes Framework Commissioning co-ordination Commissioning resources communications needs This Group meets quarterly one month before the Commissioning Board meeting. Deborah Hayman from Commmunity Southwark attends these meetings. If you would like something brought to the attention of this group or have anything to input, please contact [email protected] Covid-19 Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan Board Information about the plan is available here. We are working together with the Public Health Team on distributing messages around covid-19 outbreak prevention via our networks and via a dedicated Health Ambassadors and Grants Scheme. To find out more please contact [email protected] Health and Wellbeing Board The Health and Wellbeing Board prepares and publishes a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) to meet the needs identified in the JSNA in relation to the local authority’s area i.e. Southwark. It meets on a quarterly basis and the local VCS is represented by Community Southwark. We also take part in the work of a dedicated Covid Vaccination Subgroup of the Health and Wellbeing Board. We consult the sector on any issues relating to the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board via Southwark Voice (further info below). If you would like us to raise any points at the Board's or Subgroup's meetings or discuss the role of the VCS in them please contact [email protected] Each meeting has also dedicated time for members of the public to raise any issues or concerns they have. All documents relating to the board are under http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=365. Future meeting dates: 09/06/2021 3PM-5PM 21/07/2021 3PM-5PM 15/09/2021 3PM-5PM 01/11/2021 3PM-5PM 10/01/2022 3PM-5PM 07/03/2022 3PM-5PM Safeguarding Boards Safeguarding Leads from across the voluntary and community sector come together to share their views and experiences at the Safeguarding Leaders Network for which Sarah Gibb from Time & Talents is the Chair. Representatives from the Safeguarding Leaders Network attend the Council-led multi-agency safeguarding meetings on behalf of the sector. There are two VCS Representatives, one for the Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB, Terms of reference) and one for Southwark Safeguarding Children's Partnership (SSCP, Terms of reference). They attend the quarterly SSAB and SSCP subgroups and the Joint Board (SSJB) which meets once a year. VCS Representatives ensure a two-way dialogue between the Multi-agency Partnership and the voluntary and community sector. They collect the sector's views and experiences in relation to safeguarding, including new and emerging issues and best practice, through the Safeguarding Leaders Network and an online submission form. They also feedback any information from the Partnership meetings to the sector via the Safeguarding Leaders Network and standing agenda points on other VCS Networks. In addition to this, all updates are shared via our website. VCS Representatives: Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) - Ross Diamond from Age UK Lewisham and Southwark Southwark Safeguarding Children's Partnership (SSCP) - Fokrul Meah from Bede House There are a few sub-groups which Community Southwark attends on behalf of the sector: Community Harm and Exploitation Board (CHEB) - Terms of reference SSAB Safer Communities Subgroup – Terms of reference SSAB/SSCP Professional Development and Learning (PDL) Subgroup – Terms of reference Southwark Community Support Alliance The Support Alliance was established as a legacy to the Southwark Responds Community Hub created at the outbreak of covid-19 as a cross-sector (local authority, health services, VCS) response to support the local residents. The Support Alliance is working on implementing 16 recommendations via a Co-ordination Group which is attended by Community Southwark on behalf of the sector. Background information, including the recommendations, can be found here. During the inaugural meeting on 25th November 2020, a number of working groups were agreed. If your organisation would like to become involved in one of the working groups, please get in touch. Meeting Minutes: 9th February 2021 (awaiting distribution) 13th January 2021 25th November 2020 Terms of Reference can be found here. For further information please contact [email protected] Southwark Stands Together This is a council borough-wide initiative in response to the systemic racism and injustices experienced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, and to the inequalities exposed by COVID-19. Further information can be found here. To learn more about the Southwark R.E.A.C.H. (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) Alliance and Latin American American Network which we administer please contact [email protected] VCS Liaison The council organises quarterly VCS Liaison meetings with the sector. Minutes of recent meetings: 17th March 2021 (awaiting distribution) 17th December 2020 22nd October 2020 20th August 2020 27th March 2020 Next meeting dates: Wednesday, 16th June 2021 2:30PM-4PM Wednesday, 15th September 2021 2:30PM-4PM Wednesday, 8th December 2021 2:30PM-4PM Thursday, 17th March 2022 2:30PM-4PM Thursday, 16th June 2022 2:30PM-4PM Thursday, 15th September 2022 2:30PM-4PM Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like Community Southwark to raise any issues at the VCS Liaison meetings.