Terms of reference  
The Forum aims to improve and increase the effectiveness and contribution of West Lothian’s Third Sector in the planning and delivery of services and activities for children, young people and families.  
 
The operation of the Network is underpinned by some key principles: 
  • Open to all 3rd Sector organisations 
  • Commitment to peer support and collaborative working  
  • Embed effective and efficient communication 
 
The Forum seeks to encourage and enable communication, participation and co-operation between Third Sector organisations and partners. It intends to identify policy gaps, promote good practice and raises the profile of relevant issues from a Third Sector perspective to inform and determine policy development and service provision, both locally and nationally.  
 
The Forum is the membership grouping for any voluntary, community and non-profit making organisations working in West Lothian and wishing to promote the aims of the group.  This includes Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian who also provide administration and communication support. 
 
Forum members can represent the forum on the interests of the Third Sector on a wide range of key strategic groups and partnerships across West Lothian such as the Children & Families Strategic Planning Group.  When Members of the Forum take on a representation role they agree to the Code of Practice for Forum Representatives and feedback at subsequent forum meetings.   
 
Meeting dates, agendas/action notes and accompanying papers for each forum meeting can be found below:
Files:
Children and Families Forum Action Notes - 01 May 2019
Children and Families Forum Action Notes - 07 March 2019
Children and Families Forum Action Notes - 16 January 2019
Children and Families Forum Action Notes - 04 October 2018

Children and Families Forum Agenda - 01 May 2019
Children and Families Forum Agenda - 07 March 2019

C& FTS forum - Code of Practice for Forum Representatives
Response to the SGs Consultation on CSP Statutory Guidance
Child Protection Procedures