Children's charities facing closure

Many small children's charities are facing an uncertain future and one in ten may have to close, according to new research published yesterday by the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO).

The report, 'Under the radar' draws on a survey of over 100 small voluntary and community sector children's organisations and finds that children, young people and their families may lose out on vital services due to a lack of funding and support. The research is part of NCVCCO's Supporting Small Organisations Project and is intended to highlight areas of good practice and any barriers that need to be overcome to ensure that smaller charities are able to play a full role in working with children.

The report found that 10 per cent of voluntary and community sector organisations surveyed are closing or under serious threat of closure and almost half of all small organisations had experienced a negative change in funding over the previous 12 months.

Joe Levenson, Director of Policy and Communications at NCVCCO said:

"Despite their excellent work, many small organisations that work with children, young people and families are facing an uncertain future and possible closure. If the Government is serious about giving all children the best start in life then it needs to address this worrying situation and do more to provide long-term funding and support for smaller organisations, many of whom work with some of the hardest to reach and most vulnerable children. Whilst the Government is to be commended for recently allocating £130 million in grant funding for smaller organisations, there is a danger this may be too little and too late for some children's charities"

More information can be found on the NCVCCO website:
www.ncvcco.org