An Introduction 

Children Matter East is the East of England's forum for VCS organisations that work with children, young people and their families. The forum operates across the region, bringing together VCS organisations for the purposes of networking, information exchange, development support and influencing wider discussion and decision-making.

It has been set up to complement existing local best practice and is closely aligned with COVER, its lead agency and whole-sector umbrella organisation.

Children Matter East provides a cohesive and co-ordinated voice for VCS organisations, feeding into national, regional and local government structures and other partnership forums. It also represents the voice of its stakeholder groups in a range of other settings.

The forum operates to give all groups working with children, young people and families in the Eastern Region the opportunity to keep in touch with current developments as well as engage with policy makers in other sectors. It operates through regular meetings, workshops, conferences and newsletters.

A summary of the original research which led to the formation of Children Matter East can be viewed via the following document link