VCS Engage was a programme funded by the DCSF to strengthen the engagement of the VCS in delivering the Every Child Matters: Change for Children agenda. It ran from September 2006 until the end March 2008. Although the initial programme has ended, activities that support and engage the VCS are being continued in line with some key outputs/outcomes identified by the DCSF, i.e. to provide:

• Continued support for networks of representatives on Children's Trusts and Local Safeguarding Children's Boards.
  
  
• An ongoing programme of strengthening the links between VCS organisations working with children, young people and families and the Government Office for the East (Go East). 
  
  
• A regional structure to regularise the links between the VCS and Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC).
  
  
• Regionally-specific work which prioritises support to smaller organisations, those run by volunteers and those serving Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) children and young people.
  
  
• A strengthened ability for local generalist infrastructure organisations to better serve the needs of organisations working with children, young people and families.

A report on some of the VCS Engage work carried out in the East of England is attached below, together with some local progress reports in areas that received targeted support (known as the 'Additional Offer'):

Additional Offer Final Report, VCS Engage, 2009

Hertfordshire Progress Report, VCS Engage, 2009 

Thurrock Progress Report, VCS Engage, 2009 

Engagement with BME Communities

Eastern Region VCS Black and Minority Ethnic Research, Family Matters Institute, 2008