Two new projects will build sector capacity to provide children’s services

Monday 7 March 2011

Two new two year projects for The Social Investment Business that aim to increase the involvement of charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in the provision of children’s services have secured funding from the Department for Education (DfE).

‘Foundations for the Future’ is a £1million strategic partnership led by 4Children which will help deliver the DfE’s objective to involve civil society organisations in the reform and delivery of early years services.

A second project awarded £700k in funding last week -  also from the DfE’s Improving Outcomes for Children, Young People and Families Grant Fund - will see The Social Investment Business work alongside 4Children and OPM to provide business support and training to improve the sustainability of charities, social enterprises and community groups who offer children’s services.

The Social Investment Business Chief Executive Jonathan Lewis said:

“We are delighted to partner with 4Children to work with the Department for Education in the important area of early years and childcare services.

“There are many charities and social enterprises all over the country who provide excellent support to parents and children – often in our poorest and most deprived neighbourhoods. To ensure the success and growth of these organisations during the current difficult financial climate it’s vital that as well being committed to the people they serve they are as financially robust as possible.  By providing expert business support we will be able to help hundreds of nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres to improve their business skills and ensure they are financially stable and sustainable.

“We are excited to be a member of this important strategic partnership whose work will have a real, positive impact – building the sector’s capacity to both reform and deliver services for young children and their parents.”

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1.    The Early Years Strategic Partnership ‘Foundations for the Future’ is made up of 4Children, The Social Investment Business, Children England, Contact a Family, Daycare Trust, Fatherhood Institute. The Early Years and Childcare Business Support project will be led by 4Children in partnership with The Social investment Business and OPM.

2.    4Children is the national children and families charity which develops, influences and shapes national policy on all aspects of children, young people and families lives and works with a wide range of partners to deliver real support for children and families in their community. It is one of the largest not for profit Children’s Centre providers in the country.

3.    The Social Investment Business business support team carries the Government recognised SFEDI accreditation.  SFEDI is the Government recognised UK Standards Setting Body for Business Support and Business Enterprise. Run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, SFEDI researches leading practice, sets standards, principles and guidelines.

4.  For further information or interviews, please contact The Social Investment Business press office:

Liz Banks - 0207 842 7726/ 07809 504072  liz.banks@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

Nicola Jones - 0207 842 7755 nicola.jones@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

5. The Social Investment Business, the fastest growing social investor in the UK, exists to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations do more of what they do best – supporting people and communities most in need. We help organisations prosper by providing innovative financial solutions, business support and long term strategic thinking.

www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org @TheSocialInvest

6. The Social Investment Business manages Government funds on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government, with over 1,000 active investments. These range from £3,600 to help a small organisation bid successfully for a public sector contract, to £6.7million to help a large national charity establish and develop innovative new services for children and young people.