A Community Partnership Initiative led by VCF – The Victoria Climbié Foundation UK and the Harrow Local Safeguarding Children Board to identify the needs of Black African, Caribbean and mixed heritage children and families in order to better protect all children in Harrow.
  
Mor Dioum, Director of VCF, a registered charity and community organisation, was commissioned by the Metropolitan Police to undertake a community partnership pilot study in 2004; one of the recommendations for a community partnership officer was later adopted by local safeguarding children boards. Thus VCF is uniquely placed to lead the early stages of a community engagement model to achieve the LSCB’s community partnership objectives; a key component of which is a community-led sub-group to tackle issues of child protection within BME communities and to highlight such issues to LSCB, a multi-agency safeguarding steering group.
 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Step 1: Pre-Seminar Consultation (Questionnaire)

Questionnaire sent to all Black and African community groups working with children and families in Harrow. Deadline for responses: 1 October 2009.   The overall scope and aims of this consultation is to undertake a comprehensive review of community needs around Every Child Matters (ECM); government guidance for everyone working with children and families.
  
Step 2: Seminar

To identify the needs of children within the community leading to the enhancement of life chances within the context of the Every Child Matters (ECM) government guidance for everyone working with children and families in partnership to improve the life chances of children. 22nd October 2009 |  10 am – 1 pm | Committee Rooms 1&2, Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow

Seminar Flyer | Seminar Programme
Step 3: Post-Seminar Feedback to Groups and Partner Agencies

Provides consolidation and prioritisation of needs identified during Steps 1 and 2.

Formation of LSCB ‘Changing Communities’ sub-group to progress identified needs