VCSE Forum - A face-to-face event

The agenda will include:

Official launch of Kingston Compact

The long-awaited Kingston Compact was ratified by the Kingston Partnership Board in September. We are now delighted to be launching it formally. Sarah Ireland, CEO of Kingston Council, Denise Madden, Deputy Executive Lead for Kingston and Richmond Places, SWL ICS and Sanja Djeric Kane, CEO of Kingston Voluntary Action will sign this significant partnership agreement and set out next steps on how it will be taken forward.

Contextual and Transitional Safeguarding

This interactive workshop will equip Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations with foundational knowledge and practical insights into contextual and transitional safeguarding approaches. Stephanie Royston Mitchell, Community Safety & Resilience Principle, Safer Kingston Partnership, Residents and Communities, RBK will support participants to explore risks outside the family, understand the importance of continuous care as young people transition to adulthood, and discuss the unique role of VCSE organisations in identifying and responding to these safeguarding concerns. The session will include interactive activities, discussion prompts, and a call to action for implementing practical strategies.

Skills, Employment and the VCSE sector

There has been a lot happening in the skills and employment arena lately. RBK and South London Partnership will talk to us about the opportunities for the VCSE sector to participate and contribute.

Colleagues from Kingston Council will provide an overview of the skills and employment support and programmes available and how to link in with partners to add capacity for the VCSE organisations in Kingston. The session will cover council-brokered support through the Kingston Employment and Skills Partnership, Kingston

Adult Education (KAE) ACES programme, ‘Ask Nim’ for RBK AI career assistant, and digital inclusion programmes, highlighting opportunities for collaboration.

The colleagues from the South London Partnership will talk about supported employment provision being delivered under the Connect to Work Programme and support available for Kingston residents under the Trailblazer programmes. The session will identify the types of different support available and how to easily refer residents to getting the help they need whether they are in or out of work. Programmes have wide eligibility and specifically focus on those with disability or health conditions that impact on their ability to gain or retain employment.

Please note that this Forum is hosted at United Reformed Church in Kingston and not the venue you might be used to from previous forums.