The Every Child Matters (ECM) Network

The overarching aim of the network is to support and develop a strategic approach to the delivery of services for children, young people and families across all sectors in Sefton. The ECM Network:

  • Recognises that partnerships influenced by the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) support the achievement of key health and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and families;
  • Supports and facilitates the involvement and participation of voluntary, community and faith (VCF) organisations in the development and delivery of services, multi-agency approaches and inter-agency working;
  • Encourages the development of a coordinated, strategic approach to local services, embedding best practice that enables quality outcomes for children, young people and families.

What is the ECM Network:

The ECM forum, which meets bi-monthly. Each forum has a different overarching theme and includes presentations, workshops, information sharing and networking opportunities. The ECM forum plays a key role in children and young people’s service planning, bringing together agencies with an interest in delivering services for children and young people aged 0-19 years (up to 25 if specific to additional needs) and their families.

Information sharing is facilitated through regular monthly updates through e-bulletins and the regularly updated webpage

ECM members- and in particular, our ECM Ambassadors sit on various boards and groups.

The work of the ECM Forum is under-pinned by priorities relating to the Sefton Integrated Health & Wellbeing Strategy, Sefton’s Children’s Plan and the needs represented by the service users fed in by our member organisations.

ECM Forum Terms of Reference

ECM sub-groups

Click the links below for more information on the Sub-groups;

Sefton Children With Additional Needs (CWAN) Network

Children & Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Network (Sefton)

ECM Network Ambassadors Role

To support the ECM network and the themes across the children, young people and families’ workforce, we would like to increase the number of ambassadors who will champion the work of the VCF sector.

Click Here to download the ECM Forum Ambassadors Role Description

While not exhaustive, here are some of the themes we would love to be championed:

  • Safeguarding
  • CYP Mental Health
  • Children with additional needs
  • Family support
  • Physical health
  • Education
  • Community development
  • Youth provision and participation
  • Targeted youth work – youth offending, substance misuse, sexual health, risk-taking behaviours
  • Welfare reform and anti-poverty
  • Early years

If you’d like to find out more or just chat about it, please get in touch with Simone Mccaskill at simone.mccaskill@seftoncvs.org.uk or on 0151 920 0726 ext 223

Click here to subscribe to the Every Child Matters (ECM) Email Updates

Click here to download the ECM Forum Ambassadors Bio document

Every Child Matters (ECM) Forum 2018 Upcoming Dates


Wednesday 28th November
9.00am – 12.30pm
Waterside Lodge Marine Drive, Southport PR8 1RY

Universal Theme: TBC

Book Online

Every Child Matters Forum Notes & Documents

Click the links below to download the notes from this year’s ECM Forum meetings.

2018 Notes and Presentations

2017 Notes and Presentations

More Information

For further guidance contact;
David Humphreys
Children, Young People & Family Lead
Phone: 0151 920 0726 ext 226

Useful links, information and resources