Third Sector Involvement
The involvement of the 'third' (or voluntary and community) sector in public service provision has come to the fore in the UK in recent years. In May 2006, an Office for the Third Sector was created inside the Cabinet Office. Its remit includes working with public authorities to reduce barriers to delivery of public services by voluntary and community organisations (VCOs).
This page is divided into three sections: 'Policy Documents', 'Research/Analysis' and 'Guides'.
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Policy Documents
Building Capacity of the Third Sector (PDF) House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2009 The Stationery Office In 2004 the Home Office introduced two programmes to build the capacity of the third sector: ChangeUp and Futurebuilders. This report assesses the impact these programmes have made. It concludes that although each has made some impact, they failed to follow even basic good practice in programme and project management. UK
New Partnerships for Public Services: can collaboration between social and private enterprise deliver? (PDF) PwC Forward Thinking, 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers This independent survey details the views of senior practitioners in the private and third sectors on working together for public service delivery. UK
Building the Capacity of the Third Sector (Web Page) National Audit Office (NAO), 2009 NAO
This report examines ChangeUp and Futurebuilders, two Cabinet Office programmes designed to build the capacity of the third sector. It assesses the impact of these programmes on frontline organisations and whether they are likely to meet capacity-building objectives.
Social Private Partnerships: innovation in public service delivery (PDF) PwC Public Sector Research Centre Publication, 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
This brief report assesses the challenges faced by social enterprises in accessing new market opportunities. In particular it looks at the ways in which partnerships between the private and third sectors may be necessary to meet demand for greater choice and complexity in service delivery.
UKPartnership in Public Services: An Action Plan for Third Sector Involvement (PDF) Cabinet Office, Office for the Third Sector, 2006 The plan focuses on improving the day-to-day working relationships of VCOs with commissioners and procurers of public services in five areas of government which have been identified as having the greatest potential for third sector involvement. Ref: 278108/1206/D32 UK
The Future Role of the Third Sector in Social and Economic Regeneration: An Interim Report (PDF) HMT and Cabinet Office, 2006 HMSO Report which followed largest ever consultation with third sector as part of the review announced in the 2006 Budget. ISBN-10: 1-84532-231-2 UK
The Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery: A Cross Cutting Review (PDF) HM Treasury, 2002 The Stationery Office A report on how central and local government can work more effectively with the sector to deliver high quality services by looking at the barriers that organisations face and understanding the ways in which they can be involved. UK
Opportunity and Security For All: Investing in an Enterprising Fairer Britain; New Public Spending Plan 2003-2006 HM Treasury, 2002 HMSO Chapter 30 from the 2002 Treasury Spending Review which announced an investment fund of £125m to help the voluntary sector in their public service work as well as further steps to maximise the added value that the sector can bring. UK
Compact on Relations between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in England Home Office, 1998 A non-binding document based on generally agreed principles drawn up following the 1996 Deakin Commission Report on the Future of the Voluntary Sector. This went on to form the basis of government policy in this area as well the Codes of Good Practice first published in 2000 and then again in 2005. UK
Research/Analysis
List of Resources:
Third Sector Research Centre (Web Page) University of Birmingham/University of Southampton, 2009
The third sector research centre exists to develop the evidence base on, for and with the third sector in the UK. Working closely with practitioners, policy-makers and other academics, TSRC is undertaking and reviewing research, and making this research widely available. The Centre works in collaboration with the third sector, ensuring its research reflects the realities of those working within it, and helping to build the sector's capacity to use and conduct research.
UKPublic Services and the Third Sector: Rhetoric and Reality (PDF) Public Administration Select Committee, 2008 The Stationery Office An assessment of public service delivery by third sector organisations. It finds that there is no evidence that this produces better outcomes but these can be achieved with more intelligent commissioning. UK
Public Funding of Large National Charities (PDF) National Audit Office, 2007 The Stationery Office A review of the public funding relationships of 12 of the UK's largest charities with central and local government and how these may affect their ability to deliver public services. UK
Hearts and Minds: Commissioning from the Voluntary Sector (PDF) Audit Commission, 2007 A report on the extent and nature of the volutary sector's delivery of public services, local perceptions of its impact and the current state of procurement practice. ISBN 1 86240 533 6 UK
Local Area Agreements and the Third Sector: Public Service Delivery (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2007 The Stationery Office A report on the impact which LAA's have had in increasing the role of Third Sector Organisations in the delivery of public services UK
Stand and Deliver: The Future for Charities Providing Public Services (PDF) Charity Commission, 2007 A survey of all registered charities on their involvement in public service delivery, its impact on their activities, funding and governance and future scope for involvement. UK
Working with the Voluntary Sector (PDF)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2006
The Stationery Office
The Voluntary Sector Delivering Public Services: Transfer or Transformation? (PDF)
Paxton, W and Pearce, N; Unwin, J. and Molyneux, P., 2005
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
A book of two essays which look at the potential political impact and practical effect of the expansion in the role of the voluntary and community sector in delivering public services.
Communities in Control: The New Third Sector Agenda for Public Service Reform (Executive Summary) (PDF)
Aldridge, Nick, 2005
Social Market Foundation
Executive summary to book by director of strategy and communications at ACEVO advocating major expansion of third sector activity within employment, children's, housing and correctional services.
Future Services: A Consumer Blueprint For Responsive Public Services (PDF) Opinion Leader Research, 2005 National Consumer Council (NCC) and CBI A report based on consultation with members of the public which outlines an agenda for public service reform, produced with a view to making delivery more responsive and personalised. The Future Services Network was set up in 2004 by the NCC, CBI and NCVO. UK
Working with the Third Sector (PDF)
National Audit Office, 2005
The Stationery Office
The Reform of Public Services: The Role of the Voluntary Sector (PDF) Blackmore, A; Bush, H; Bhutta, M, 2005 National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) A report considering the role of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in supporting improvement of public services. It argues that VCS should contribute to strategy as well as delivery but organisations must be clear about the distinctive values they bring and be equally accountable for use of public funds. UK
Exploring the Role of the Third Sector in Public Service Delivery and Reform: A Discussion Document (PDF) HM Treasury, 2005 A report which clarifies the scope of the third sector and the value which it can bring to the quality and effectiveness of public services. Identifies future challenges to be overcome including gathering better evidence and fostering awareness amongst policymakers. UK
Strengthening Partnerships: Next Steps for Compact-The Relationship between the Government and the Voluntary Sector (PDF) Home Office, 2005 Consultation document drawn up by Active Community Unit on commitments for a new Compact and how the improvement of sector-government relations can help to improve public services. UK
Speaking Truth to Power (PDF) Unwin, Julia, 2004 The Baring Foundation A discussion paper produced in collaboration with ACEVO which compares the voluntary sector's position during the first Labour term in government with the second. It also argues that there is no conflict between responsibility for delivering public services and advocating change. ISBN 0-9538040-4-6 UK
Surer Funding: ACEVO Commission of Inquiry Report (Executive Summary) (PDF) New Philanthropy Capital, 2004 Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) Executive summary of report which analyses the burden of risk placed on the voluntary sector provider by short term funding. Principles for a new funding framework are proposed to reduce the burden and alleviate bureaucracy in service delivery. UK
The Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery: Encouraging Local Implementation of the Treasury Cross-Cutting Review (PDF) National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), 2003 A discussion document produced in response to HMT's 2002 cross-cutting review which focuses on the importance of engaging local government. UK
Voluntary Sector Added Value: A Discussion Paper (PDF)
Bolton, Margaret, 2003
National Council for Valuntary Organisations (NCVO)
Replacing the State? The Case for Third Sector Public Service Delivery Association for Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO), 2003 A book of four essays and case studies arguing for plurality in the provision of public services and much greater involvement of the voluntary sector. Contributors include Paul Ormerod, John Kay, Will Hutton, Stephen Bevan, Julia Unwin and Ed Mayo. ISBN 1 9000685 18 3 UK
Guides
List of Resources:
More For Your Money: A Guide to Procuring from Social Enterprises for the NHS (PDF) Klevan, O and Walsham, M, 2006 Social Enterprise Coalition A guide on achieving better procurement outcomes for NHS using social enterprise suppliers. Includes case studies. UK
More For Your Money: A Guide to Procuring from Social Enterprises (PDF) Nicholls, J; Sacks, J; Walsham, M, 2006 Social Enterprise Coalition A guide, mainly aimed at local authorities, designed to help achieve better outcomes from public sector procurement by using social enterprise suppliers and encouraging them to compete more effectively. Includes case studies. UK
Funding and Procurement: Compact Code of Good Practice (PDF)
Home Office and Compact Working Group, 2005
A code based on the agreed principles of the 1998 Compact. It sets out a framework for the financial relationship between government and the voluntary sector as well as undertakings about what each can expect from the other.
Policy Statement on Charities and Public Service Delivery (Web Page) Charities Commission, 2005 Summary of key issues affecting charities with regard to delivering public services. UK
Think Smart.Think Voluntary Sector: Good Practice Guidance on Procurement of Services from the Voluntary and Community Sector (PDF) Home Office and Office of Government Commerce (OGC), 2004 Jointly published best practice guidance on procurement of services from the voluntary and community sector. UK
Charities and Public Service Delivery: An Introduction and Overview (PDF) Charity Commission, 2003 Charity Commission CC37 This guide acts as an introduction aimed at charities considering delivering public services. It gives an overview of the legal and good practice issues that need to be considered. UK
Signing on the Dotted Line: All You Need to Know About Procuring Public Sector Contracts (PDF) National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), 2003 A guide to enable small and medium sized organisations to navigate the complex rules, procedures and practices that constitute the public sector procurement process. UK