DfE extends Children's Strategic Partnership backing

The Children's Strategic Partnership, led by 4Children and National Children’s Bureau, was initially only planned to run until 2015, but the Department for Education has told charities involved that it will now carry on funding it until into 2016.

On the announcement earlier today, 4Children’s chief executive Imelda Redmond said: “I am delighted that the DfE has recognised the value of having a strategic partnership between government and the voluntary and communities sector, especially when it comes to our approach to supporting children.

“We all need to work together to ensure Britain is a great place to grow up and raise a family."

The partnership's two priority areas have been early years and childcare, led by 4Children, and adoption and children in care, led by NCB.

Also involved are Barnardo’s, NSPCC, Family and Childcare Trust, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

NCB chief executive Anna Feuchtwang added: “The continuation of the partnership is great news for both the sector and children themselves. It means the partnership can continue its work for the voluntary sector influencing government policy, especially where there could be barriers to effective implementation.
 
“By using the shared knowledge of the sector, and its staff’s understanding of what works, the partnership helps ensure that services accurately meet the needs of children and young people and makes a real difference in improving lives.”

The announcement came on the same day that Education Secretary Nicky Morgan unveiled which charities will benefit from £25m worth of voluntary and community sector grants.