Consultation & Networking

Consultation on issues affecting the Voluntary Sector

To consult with the sector Involve uses:

This website, e-mail groups, its newsletter, direct mailings, its Inter Agency Forum, its conference and any other appropriate mechanism available

It consults and networks with the voluntary and community (3rd) sector on a wide variety of issues effecting various areas of activity. To share information and updates on the Local Strategic Partnerships, other working groups and national / regional networks and initiatives

Please keep checking this site for further details and the first piece of online consultation.

Compact for Devon

The aim of the Compact for Devon is to improve and develop the relationship between the voluntary & community and statutory sectors in Devon.

The Compact for Devon was published in June 2005. It was produced by a partnership of 3rd sector and public sector representatives. Following wide consultation the revised Compact for Devon was produced and is available to download at www.dacvs.org.uk (The Devon Association of CVS). Copies can also be collected at the Involve offices.

The DACVS website also contains downloadable copies of the Codes of Practice what the next steps are in terms of implementing the Compact for Devon 2007.

There are 6 codes of practice:

Equality and Diversity :: Funding and Procurement :: Volunteering
Consultation :: Community Groups :: Partnership

Summaries of the 6 Codes of Practice for Devon are also available for reference from this website.

- Equality and Diversity Summary
- Funding and Procurement Summary
- Volunteering Summary
- Consultation Summary
- Community Groups Summary
- Partnership Summary

Inter Agency Forum - Statement of Purpose

Communication

• information exchange
• personal contact
• debating issues
• dissemination of information to the wider community.

Consultation

• the opportunity for any agency to bring forward for discussion any proposed project or initiative - even to seek advice on policy matters.

Awareness

The opportunity for ALL agencies to sharpen their own and others' awareness of:

• local needs (gaps in service provision)
• the impact of community care arrangements on individuals, on different "client groups" and on the community as a whole.

Representation

The opportunity for local agencies to be represented on consultative and planning forums outside the district.

Voluntary Voice is a new project that aims to develop the voice of the voluntary/community sector in decision-making on local and countywide issues. The voluntary and community sector have the right to contribute to discussion and decision-making in the county. One of the main ways of doing this is through partnerships of organisations with an interest in the development of their area. Among the most influential of these are the Devon Strategic Partnership and strategic partnerships in each of the county's districts. These often focus on themes such as: Healthier and Stronger Communities, Children, Safer Devon, Environment, Housing and Economy. This project plans to:

• map out where the voluntary and community sector already have representation on these kind of partnerships, and where there are gaps
• offer support and advice to people who are acting, or thinking of acting, as representatives
• encourage greater involvement from voluntary and community organisations in representation activities
• develop a list of partnerships and their voluntary and community representatives, so that you know who to turn to if you want your voice heard.

Interested? Look at www.devonconsortium.net (Devon Consortium).

Representation Leaflet or downlaod this PDF (256KB)

Contact for Exeter, East & Mid Devon area: Mark Bailey, Development Worker, on 01884 255734 or email mark@involve-middevon.org.uk

Membership

all the statutory bodies and voluntary organisations working in the Tiverton and Culm Valley parts of Mid Devon whose work relates to Care in the Community.

Meetings

• to be held quarterly, 2-4.00pm. Dates for the year ahead to be set every October
• convened and chaired by the Chief Officer at 'Involve'
• the general format of the agenda shall be:

• introductions with news and information exchange
• talk/discussion about a specific issue or topic
• next meeting: subject and venue

Review

This forum is seen as something, which will evolve, and this summary will therefore be reviewed regularly.