Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS), our partner organisations and their staff represent the voluntary sector at a number of strategic working groups. This means that voluntary groups have a voice through VAS and other third sector organisations to these partnerships, and have someone through whom they can get information on their proceedings and business.

Below is a table showing partnership names, a brief explanation of their membership and function, and the name of the representative on the groups. If no organisation name is given, the representative is from VAS, otherwise organisation and contact details are provided. You will find full contact details for VAS staff at Staff A-J, Staff K-Z.

Please also see the page on representation through Shetland's Community Planning Partnership strategic partnerships and practitioner groups.

Group	Function	Third Sector Representative	Associated Document or Website
16+ Learning Choices Providers Group	This group is made up of service providers of 'positive destinations' for school leavers. It includes SIC, VAS, Skills Development Scotland, MOEP, Train Shetland, NAFC, Shetland College, JobCentre+	Gwen Williamson 01595 743911
Association of Community Councils	This association supports the work of the 18 community councils throughout the islands.	Catherine Hughson 01595 743901	ASCC website
Carers' Link Group	This group, composed of representatives from the National Health Service (NHS) (Primary Care and Palliative Care), Shetland Islands Council (SIC) (Community Care, Social Work), Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Shetland Befriending Scheme, Crossroads; helps address the needs of carers across Shetland.	Jo Jack 01595 743923	Carers Group website
Central Service Delivery Group	Provides a basis for service planning at a local community level and specifically to support the future planning for health and social care services within the Community Health Partnership.	Catherine Hughson
Child Protection Committee	This is a multi agency group led by the Council to oversee all legislation in connection with Child Protection.	Catherine Hughson	SIC Child Protection website
Child Protection in the Community Sub-Committee	Membership of this group are representatives from SIC youth services, sports, education, child protection and representatives from local trusts and VAS. Its aim is to assist voluntary and community groups to meet the requirements of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 and to achieve best practice in their work with Shetland children.	Anne Robertson 01595 743902
Children and Young People's Strategy Group	To assist the development of the next integrated Children and Young People's Plan.	Catherine Hughson
Children and Young People’s Forum	Sitting beneath the Strategy Group (above), this group is tasked with: ensuring communication between all organisations that contribute to providing services for children and young people in Shetland; sharing information about such services, highlighting good practice and identifying areas for improvement; and identifying changing needs that consideration to be given on a multi-agency basis whether/how these can best be met. Membership: SIC, NHS and Third Sector.	Shona Manson, Family Mediation Shetland shona.manson@shetland.org 01595 743859	Constitution Plan Minutes
Community Health Partnership Committee	Shetland’s Community Health Partnership (CHP) is part of NHS Shetland. The CHP works in partnership with the NHS board and other agencies. The aim is to continue to develop high quality local services, with health services, social care services and voluntary organisations working closely together.	Catherine Hughson	Shetland Community Health Partnership Website
Community Learning and Development Partnership	This group is composed of SIC CLD (Community Works, Adult Learning & Youth Services) and partners who work with community organisations and the community.	Sue Beer 01595 743909, Wendy Hand 01595 743905
Community Planning Partnership	The Partnership is responsible for the strategic overview of Community Planning in Shetland. This group meets twice a year, is responsible for appointing members to the Delivery Groups, setting priority areas for Delivery focus and reviewing performance against the objectives set out in the Single Outcome Agreement.	Catherine Hughson	Shetland Community Planning Partnership Website
Community Planning and Delivery Group	The main aim of this group is, on an annual basis, to take the areas that the Partnership have highlighted as priorities from the Single Outcome Agreement for that year and ensure that the Partnership is organised to take these forward. These assigned areas are set out according to the position statements of the 5 National Strategic Objectives in the Single Outcome Agreement: Wealthier & Fairer, Smarter, Healthier, Safer & Stronger, Greener	Catherine Hughson
Community Safety Partnership	A multi-agency partnership that brings together representatives from a range of agencies such as Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard, Police and other services; who work together at a strategic level to plan services and address the key community safety concerns that face Shetland, with the aim of making Shetland a place where people can live, work and visit without fear for their own or others safety and to improve the quality of life for the whole community	Alyson Keiller Community Mediation Team Shetland Islands CAB alyson.keiller@shetland.org 01595 743934	Community Safety Partnership Website
Compact Implementation Group	Sets out shared principles, joint undertakings and commitments to improve the working relationships between the public, voluntary and community sectors in Shetland. It will provide a platform for improved cooperation, understanding and respect. Designed to clearly state what each party can expect from each other which can be summarised as a shared commitment to build mutual trust, confidence and a appreciation of the roles and contribution of public, voluntary and community sector bodies for the benefit of Shetland	Catherine Hughson, Wendy Hand	Shetland Compact
Countryside Access Forum	Association Shetland Community Councils (ASCC), Scottish Natural Heritage, Anglers Association, Equestrian Society, RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), SCFWAG (Shetland Crofting, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group), Crofters Union, National Union of Farmers etc.: Oversight of local implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003	Malcolm Johnson Disability Shetland malcolm.johnson@shetland.org 01595 743922	Access to the Countryside and Mountains in Scotland
Cultural Strategy Partnership	The Strategy sets out objectives for developing cultural facilities, services and activities for the benefit of the Shetland community. The partnership is the multi-agency planning group for the strategy.	Catherine Hughson	Cultural Strategy 2009-2013
Data Sharing Partnership	This multi agency partnership was formed to deliver electronic data sharing and manage the organisational changes necessary to ensure effective, efficient and secure sharing of information.	Anne Robertson
Disability Consultation Forum	Multiagency group comprising statutory bodies (and Disability Shetland)	Malcolm Johnson
External Transport Forum	ZetTrans led group of local transport service provider and users and reps from Northlink and Loganair; represents the interests of users of transport from Shetland to the mainland.	Catherine Hughson Malcolm Johnson
Fairer Shetland Group	The aim of this partnership is to reduce poverty, deprivation and social exclusion in Shetland. To achieve the aim, this partnership is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of a framework to tackle the outcomes and targets, as set out in National Frameworks and Shetland’s Single Outcome Agreement (SOA).	Catherine Hughson
Lerwick, Bressay and Gulberwick Local Services Delivery Group	This group is made up of service providers in the area including local councillors and community councillors who meet and agree ways in which its members can work more closely together, moving service planning and delivery closer to communities. The aim is to promote genuine community engagement in developing and prioritising local services.	Anne Robertson	Local Service Delivery Groups: Detailed Information
NHS Shetland Local Diversities Taskforce	Representatives include departments of the NHS and the PFPI (Patient Focus Public Involvement); overseas the implementation of all equalities legislation by NHS both as employer and as service provider	Malcolm Johnson
North Isles Learning Partnership	Representatives including Shetland College, SIC Adult Learning, local schools, Train Shetland, NHS, SIC Community Work, Voluntary Action Shetland, Global Yell, Bluemull Development Company, work together to widen participation in lifelong learning and community activity to involve people who have been less likely to take part; identifying local needs and gaps in learning provision and developing responsive projects	Wendy Hand
Planning in Localities Steering Group	Oversees the development of the local service delivery groups.	Catherine Hughson
Shetland Adult Protection Committee	This is a multi agency committee with a significant role in ensuring cooperation and communication within and between agencies to promote appropriate support and protection for adults.	Anne Robertson
Shetland Alcohol and Drugs Forum	This forum exists to support and inform the work of the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Action Team (SADAT) by ascertaining, coordinating and expressing the views of service providers, service users and those in need of services. Represents: service providers in field of drugs & alcohol; misusers and their families, carers and partners, and the wider community.	Wendy Hand	Latest approved minutes
Shetland Childcare Partnership	This is a multi agency partnership including representatives from public, voluntary and private sectors who help shape the planning and delivery of childcare at a local level. Funding and grants are distributed to childcare providers in the voluntary and private sectors.	Anne Robertson, Kathleen Williamson 01595 743910	Shetland Childcare Partnership Website
Shetland Domestic Abuse Partnership	Multi-agency partnership working together to tackle and address domestic abuse throughout the isles.	Catherine Hughson
Shetland LEADER Programme Local Action Group (LAG)	Representatives from business, local authority & other public sector agencies, and the third sector, representing local social, economic and environmental interests. Oversee implementation of the EU LEADER Programme including disbursement of LEADER and other funding.	Wendy Hand	Shetland LAG Website
Shetland Mental Health Partnership	Multi-agency strategic partnership, led by NHS Director of Public Health. Responsible for the development of the Shetland wide mental health strategy covering all areas: service delivery, training, crisis support, suicide prevention, mental health promotion. Third sector representation includes Moving On Employment Project, Advocacy, Link Up and Mind Your Head.	Shona Manson, Family Mediation Shetland shona.manson@shetland.org 01595 743859
Shetland’s Public Partnership Forum	This is a network of local individuals and organisations who are interested in health and social care and who want to be involved in how services are designed and delivered. Meetings are held six to eight weekly.	To be confirmed	Agenda 18/1/2012
Social Economy and Community Regeneration Partnership	This partnership supports social economy and regeneration development, it closely linked with LEADER and ESF funding.	Catherine Hughson Wendy Hand
South Mainland Learning Partnership	Representatives include SIC Adult Learning, Community Work, Voluntary Action Shetland, NHS, Care Centre, youth workers, local schools, Shetland College, work together to widen participation in lifelong learning and community activity and health to involve people who have been less likely to take part; identifying local needs and gaps in learning provision and developing responsive projects	Wendy Hand
South Mainland Local Service Delivery Group	This group is made up of service providers in the area including local councillors and community councillors who meet and agree ways in which its members can work more closely together, moving service planning and delivery closer to communities. The aim is to promote genuine community engagement in developing and prioritising local services.	Wendy Hand	South Mainland LSDG Vision
Special Needs Action Group	Pressure group dedicated to maintaining and improving the facilities and resources available to children with special needs, their families and carers.	Kirsten Harcus 01595 743980
Training Forum	This group meets quarterly to discuss local training delivery and procurement and trainer training, ensuring that duplication is minimised and best value assured. Membership includes SIC HR, SIC Adult Learning, Train Shetland, Shetland College, NAFC Marine Centre, Shetland Recreational Trust, Skills Development Scotland, Shetland Childcare Partnership and VAS.	Wendy Hand, Sue Beer	Minutes
VALDO Group	This group (Voluntary and Local Development Organisations) meets to discuss the training need of community and voluntary groups and volunteers, and plan how agencies can work together to ensure that needs are met. Membership includes SIC Adult Learning and Community Work, HIE, Skills Development Scotland and VAS.	Sue Beer, Wendy Hand	Agenda