Somerset Children & Young People’s Plan (2024-30)
The Somerset Children and Young People’s Plan (2024–30), shaped by the voices of 6,000 children and young people, sets a shared vision for a safe, child‑friendly Somerset where all young people are happy, healthy and prepared for adulthood. Developed by partners including Education for Life Board, Public Health, Connect Somerset, Safer Somerset Partnership and the ICS Children, Young People & Families Partnership Board, it outlines priorities spanning education, healthy lifestyles, mental health, community safety, relationships and adulthood preparation. For VCFSE groups, it highlights collaboration opportunities, early‑help roles, community‑based support and ways to shape services through youth voice.
Improving Lives Strategy
The Improving Lives Strategy (2019–2028) sets a shared vision for improving health, wellbeing and life chances across Somerset by tackling the wider social determinants of health. Developed by the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board and partners including Somerset County Council, NHS organisations, the historic district councils, Avon & Somerset Constabulary and Healthwatch, it focuses on prevention, fairer life chances, stronger communities and healthier, more independent living. For VCFSE organisations, it outlines partnership roles, opportunities to influence priorities, shape prevention work, strengthen community resilience and collaborate across sectors to support disadvantaged groups and deliver local impact.
Integrated Health & Care Strategy for Somerset 2023-28
The Integrated Health and Care Strategy for Somerset (2023–2028) sets out a shared vision to improve health, reduce inequalities and redesign services through prevention, early support and integrated system working. Developed jointly by Somerset Council, NHS Somerset, the Somerset Integrated Care Partnership and the Somerset Health & Wellbeing Board (with strong involvement from the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector) it positions VCFSE organisations as key partners in shaping neighbourhood‑based care, supporting disadvantaged communities, and strengthening prevention, wellbeing and local engagement.
Somerset Community Safety Plan 2022–2025 (Safer Somerset Partnership)
The Safer Somerset Partnership is a statutory group working to reduce crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour and re‑offending across Somerset. Its community safety plan aligns with the Improving Lives strategy, Fit for My Future strategy, Children and Young People’s Plan and the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board strategic plan, and complements the police and crime plan for Somerset. Covering June 2022 to March 2025, it focuses on high‑impact issues such as anti-social behaviour, hate crime, serious violence (including violence against women and girls), victim protection, youth crime and county lines.
gov.uk – Community Flood Plan template
Before/during/after flooding guidance and practical community preparedness content supporting cohesion and resilience.
Hempsons & Stepping Out – Public Service Mutuals
An overview of the ‘spinning out’ process – statutory services becoming their own entity, including examples of why that might happen and what may need to be considered. May be useful considerations for VCFSEs when looking at wider system planning. Important to note this is a presentation and not full detail is provided and it appears to be an older document. Intended to provoke general thinking rather than be a step by step guide
Local Government Group: a practical guide to organisation models
This guide provides practical advice for councils on how in‑house services can be delivered through alternative models such as social enterprises, staff mutuals, cooperatives and other employee‑led organisations. The publication includes the top ten issues to assess when evaluating a proposal, sample response letters, and guidance on TUPE, pensions and procurement. It may also be useful for VCFSE organisations to understand how local government is expected to assess and respond to such requests, offering insight into the processes and considerations councils must follow.
Regulator of Community Interest Companies – Annual Report 2023 to 2024
Trends, approvals, dissolutions and case studies of CICs – useful context for VCFSEs weighing CIC structures for traded income.
gov.uk – Community Interest Companies Guidance
Government guidance on CICs: things to consider, asset lock, dividend caps, statutory obligations etc. Useful for charities exploring diversification.
Her Ground: Creating safe spaces in Lyngford Park
Details co-created approaches in Somerset, showing how arts-led and green-space activities build community capacity and shape inclusive places. It offers practical steps, templates and evidence to support arts, culture & heritage with links to community spaces and places.