Reforming Public
Services - views from
the voluntary sector
Daniel Fluskey
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Contact: [email protected]
Evidence|Resources|Policy|Opinion|Signposting: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
Outline
• Voluntary and community sector (VCS)
– Facts and stats
• Public services reform
– Background/context
– Coalition plans
• Local practice
Civil Society is
‘people acting together, independently of the state or the
market, to make a positive difference to their lives and/or the
lives of others’ – NCVO
Voluntary and community sector is
‘the accumulation of charities, local community groups and
individuals responding to social needs’ – NCVO
The estimates in this slide pack refer to the voluntary
sector only – based on the general charities definition
Statutory funding– voluntary sector relationship
Some types of organisations are heavily
dependent upon statutory income
…but most aren’t.
Public services
• The role of the VCS
– Voice
– Identify need
– Commissioning/shaping services
– Delivery and evaluation
• Where is the sector involved?
• How is the sector involved?
Value of the VCS
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Social mission
Clear governance
Trusted
Person-centred
Community facing; local
Innovative and flexible
Public services
• Changing landscape
– OPSWP
– Commissioning
– Fiscal constraints driving change?
• Challenges
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Payment by results
Lack of level playing field
Unmanaged competition
Cultural barriers
Structural barriers: public sector, size of contracts
OPSWP
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Framed around key principles
Competition, choice and diversity
Accountability and transparency
Social value
Finance and payment by results (PbR)
Structural changes in the public sector
What are ‘open’ public services?
Issues from our member
•
1. Developing a council-wide strategy : (design and/or delivery) Consistency across
departments, auditing existing local VCS motivation and capacity, opportunities for
building capacity, balance of meaningful involvement in commissioning without
biasing future delivery
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2. Choosing appropriate procurement models: Levels for quotations and tenders,
examples of misapplied EU regulations, transparency & non-discriminations in
procurement
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3. Managing risk, liabilities & ensuring accountability in contracts and
relationships
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4. Balancing price & quality: understanding evidence around social return on
investment; evidence-based decisions and evaluating value & outcomes
Example of good relationships
• Bristol City Council – Improving
Commissioning
– Effective network of Compact
champions
– ‘Mixed economy’ (commissioning,
competitive processes and direct grantfunding)
– Comprehensive training programme
– Mandatory involvement of the VCS in all
stages of the commissioning cycle
– Capacity Building and improving
communications
What works?
• What are your expectations of the VCS?
• What are the potential conflicts?
• Top tips… be open, be fair