Voluntary Sector Commission Brief – Engaging local parents and families with children in the first 1001 days (F1001D)

Dudley has been participating in a national Place Based Development Programme. This has included some workshops bringing together professionals to identify a population cohort where there is evidence of emotional unmet needs, to understand their needs and wants and design a new care model to meet these needs.

The population cohort that has been chosen is children in their first 1001 days (F1001D) and their families. The F1001D of a child’s life (from conception to 2 years) lay the foundations for a happy and healthy future. During this critical time, babies’ brains, their sense of self, and their understanding of the world, are directly shaped by their experiences and environment. Evidence tells us that this F1001D period is a crucial phase of a child’s development and that sensitive early care-giving has a strong positive impact on children’s early outcomes and future attainment. In Dudley borough, only 67% of children achieve a good level of development at the end of reception. This compares to 72% for England.

This commission seeks to fund a local trusted voluntary organisation (or a collective group of organisations as a collaborative) to undertake an engagement activity. We are keen to surface the voices, experiences, ideas and human stories of parents and families with infants / children in the F1001D, including women who are pregnant. The three engagement areas are:

• Support parents with children in the F1001D who live in Dudley & Netherton to tell their story about ‘What it’s like to be a parent/family’ living in Dudley & Netherton.
• Identify what community assets parents feel they have and those that are present in their community of Dudley & Netherton. Find out parent and families views on the proposed high level new care model.

Budget: The commission budget is between £10,000 and £15,000 – 50% paid up front, 25% on submission of mid-term progress report, 25% on submission of final report.

To find out more about this commission, an online briefing session is being held on 17th August 10:00am – 11:30am. If you would like to attend, please email kategreen@dudleycvs.org.uk

Alternatively, if you are unable to attend the briefing session, you can contact Kate Green on 01384 573381 to discuss the commission in more detail.

Further details about the commission are provided in the Commission Brief Document. Please click here to view it.

Expressions of interest to be submitted to Kate Green by 5pm, 31st August 2022, Dudley CVS, 7 Albion Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3EE. Email: kategreen@dudleycvs.org.uk