Welcome to the VCS Matters website
VCS Matters supports the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) to improve the lives of children and young people in Birmingham.
Visit our About us section for more information.
Easter holiday activities guide
The Easter holidays are fast approaching and once again the Family Information Service (FIS) are collecting information for the Fun In Brum holiday activities guide. This one promises to be bigger and better than ever before and FIS will be getting hard copies printed professionally for parents and carers in Birmingham. The deadline for submitting information is 12 March.
'What difference does it make?'
A free handbook on evaluating outcomes has been published, with the title ‘What difference does it make?' It is intended as a resource for workers delivering services at community level to help them respond to the demands for evidence of outcomes.
Referrals to PAYP provision
A matrix of some 60 providers of PAYP (Positive Activities for Young People) is now available on this website. This allows you to search for PAYP provision up to March 2010.
First CYPFD Service Directory published
The Children, Young People & Families Directorate's first Service Directory has now been printed for the period 2009-2011. For all professionals in contact with children, young people, families, schools and children’s social services this will be an invaluable resource.
The Vetting & Barring Scheme
Increased safeguards have now been introduced to help prevent unsuitable people undertaking paid or volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults. It's called the Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been set up to help implement the Scheme and make decisions over who should be barred from working with vulnerable people.
