The Government, in the Building Brighter Futures document, sets out their vision of making this country the best place in the world for children to grow up. This means that everyone who volunteers or works with children, young people and/or their families, or who is responsible for improving their outcomes, has a key role to play in making this happen. The Government also recognises the need to support the children's voluntary and employed workforce but to be able to do this there is a necessity to understand who they are, where they are located, the nature of what they do and the needs and challenges they face. Building a clear understanding of the size and scope of the voluntary, private and independent sectors is integral in being able to maximise their vital contribution and securing those better outcomes for children, young people and/or their families.

The Children's Volunteer and Workforce Data profile is an exciting undertaking that will help to provide a more accurate picture of all those who volunteer or work with children, young people and/or their families within the voluntary, private and independent (PVI) sectors in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The work is being carried out on behalf of the three respective Children's' Trusts and is an opportunity to ensure PVI organisations/groups are recognised for their contribution and role is supporting children and their families across the five Every Child Matters outcomes. The information from the Profile will not only improve knowledge and understanding of the breadth, diversity and wealth of experience within these sectors but will also inform future planning to support training, development and integrated working. It will also identify potential gaps in provision and service and aid policy makers and commissioners of services to better understand the context in which they and the PVI sectors work.

Consequently we are asking all groups/organizations/settings within the PVI children's voluntary and employed workforce to complete as much of the Data Profile document as possible using the definitions from the descriptor list. (Both documents are available to download from the website or a hard copy can be issued on request.) Due to the diverse nature of the sectors it is recognised that it may not be possible for all those completing the document to enter details in every section. However, the information received from all returned Profiles will enable us to develop that greater understanding and knowledge of the sector.

Whatever the size or nature of your setting/group/organization we would like to hear from you - your responses are important. Just as every child matters, so does every childcare volunteer/worker matter.

(Names of all groups/organisations/settings whose Profile is received at Voluntary Action Leicester by the deadline of Friday 24th October will be entered into a prize draw for a gift voucher of a Red Letter Day for 2 people.)