Voluntary and community organisations are not only major providers of services to children, young people and families, they are able to reach the most vulnerable or marginalised children, young people and families. They give those who use their services a voice and enable them to shape the services they receive. Local community members' involvement, through volunteering, in developing and delivering services, contributes to civil renewal.

Our aim is to improve child outcomes by reconfiguring services around the needs of the child and shifting to preventative services whilst strengthening the protection of children at risk. A strong, vibrant and diverse voluntary and community sector will be a key aspect of this.

We strongly believe that we have a mutual interest in creating an environment where voluntary and community organisations can join us in achieving our vision.

The Wandsworth Local Strategic Partnership (WLSP) Multi-Faith Sub-Group is a formal sub-group to the WLSP, which was set up following discussions with faith representatives in Wandsworth after September 11th 2001. The first meeting was held in February 2002 when representatives from the main faith communities in the borough, as identified through the Census, were invited to meet with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive. The group meets five times a year and is chaired by the Leader of the Council and Chair of the WLSP, Cllr E Lister. Administrative support is provided to the meeting by the Council's Policy Unit. The group does not receive any grant funding and all members attend as volunteers.

Useful links
Wandsworth Multi-Faith sub-group:
www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200041/equality_and_diversity/60/faith_group/1
The Catholic Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults

Website: www.copca.org.uk
The Methodist Church

Website: www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=churchlife.content&cmid=1200
The Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service is an independent Christian-based charity

Website: www.ccpas.co.uk