VOCypf is involved in a number of ongoing special interest areas which fall within the remit of its aims and objectives:
Counselling Collective
The Counselling Collective is a network of voluntary sector organisations that offer counselling and therapeutic services for children and young people in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire. The collective is well established with a core group of organisations that meet approximately every three months to provide updates on service delivery and to discuss any issues relating to children and young people’s mental health and services available in the local area. Statutory sector partners are welcome to join the meeting for specific agenda items.
New members to the collective are welcome. Organisations offering counselling/therapeutic services in Bedfordshire and with a focus on children, young people and family, are eligible to join. If you are interested in finding out more about the collective, please contact Michele Flynn (Counselling Collective Chair): mflynn@bedfordopendoor.org.uk
Bedfordshire Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Multi Agency Forum
The Forum is open to all organisations involved with support, advice or delivery of services to UASC and former UASC. The Forum meets several times a year to discuss issues relating to the needs of UASC and former UASC in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire. The members work in partnership to share information and good practice and to develop solutions to common problems. The Forum aims to inform and influence local, regional and national decision-making.
If you would like to find out more about the Forum, please contact Michele Flynn (UASC Chair): mflynn@bedfordopendoor.og.uk
SEND Collective
The SEND Collective is a newly formed network of organisations who provide services to young people with additional needs and disabilities and their families. The group meets regularly, currently quarterly, to develop and progress its objectives to improve user-led support for young people and their families. The meetings are divided into 2 sections. One half is an opportunity for the providers to share successes, best practice, service development opportunities and sector concerns. The second half of the meeting is information sharing with practitioners from local authority and health statutory bodies to give young people a voice and inform at a strategic level. New members to the collective are welcome. Organisations offering services in Bedfordshire and with a focus on children, young people and family, are eligible to join.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Rose McHugh (SEND Collective Chair): rose@bdcps.org.uk