CYP Now - Analysis: Children's Fund - Threat to flagship prevention work

For seven years New Labour's flagship Children's Fund has supported vital work with vulnerable children. But CYP Now's exclusive survey reveals much of this is now at risk as local authorities prepare to take control in April. Ben Willis reports.

The mood among a large number of voluntary sector organisationsproviding children's services is bleak. They are bracing themselves forthe Children's Fund's ringfencing being lifted in April when localauthorities take control of the programme, which is aimed atorganisations helping disadvantaged five- to 13-year-olds.

Many are unsure whether they will still be running projects forvulnerable children and families this time next year.

According to a survey run by CYP Now with the National Council ofVoluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO), 58 per cent of voluntarysector Children's Fund projects believe they are unlikely to continuebeyond March. Thirty-eight per cent say they expect to issue redundancyletters before March. And 65 per cent of local authority Children's Fundmanagers say projects and services are likely to be decommissioned fromMarch.

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