Partnership Working
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Why partner?
 Better outcomes
 Increased competition for funding
 Tight deadlines for contracts and grants
 Demand to expand or develop new services
 Need to make resources go further
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Partnership spectrum
Independent
Integrate
Coordinate
Collaboration
Cooperate
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Partnerships – things to consider
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Choosing partners
Due diligence
Risk assessment
Clarity on structure and management
Governance
Time, resources and commitment
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Due diligence
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Background and governance
Management and people
IT, systems and management
Financial information
Assets and liabilities
Other legal issues
Non-disclosure agreement
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Preparing for partnership work 1
 Building partnership approaches into
organisational strategy
 Clear vision and mission
 Staff and Trustees’ hearts and minds
 Financial transparency
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Preparing for partnership work 2
 Who can you partner with
 Know how far you will compromise
 Define your Unique Selling Point!
 Be open to ideas and discussions
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Benefits for providers
 Commissioners need to be able to reduce
number of providers/contracts
 Providers need to be able to offer wider
coverage and range of services
 Provide an alternative offer to larger/national
organisations
 Brings larger contracts to front-line deliverers
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Benefits for commissioners
 One contract has replaced many
 Clearer (and simpler) monitoring and lines of
accountability
 Better data and ‘strategic intelligence’
 Some of the ‘difficult’ things are no longer their
problem
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
What are the challenges
 Ensuring (legal) relationships and
liabilities are clear
 Integrating user-involvement with
governance structures
 Getting used to working together
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Clarity & Parity = success
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Shared Values - Parity:
Think each partner is good at what they do.
Mix of small & large: size doesn’t dictate contribution
Imbalances of power can be managed by good MoU
and TALKING
Relationships – mutual respect and professional
behaviour – leaving egos at the door – hard work!
All of this needs constant vigilance and openness
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Clarity & Parity = success
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Shared Values - Clarity:
It is critical that partners are clear on what they want
to gain from the partnership and what they want to
contribute.
Honesty about individual organisational goals
… talk about money, and business goals!
Write a good contract so you don’t have to look at it:
MOU
Leaders: Get all decision-makers on board
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Things to watch out for
 Partnerships cost money – they need management
at all levels
 Impacts your core costs – it may save you in project
costs, but how will you afford the management time,
given the difficulty funding core?
 Getting hung up on legal structure and governance
 Competition and conflict - inevitable
 Uncertainty and instability will impact
 Not discussing concerns early
 Not including everyone – even by mistake!
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
We can help…
www.communitysouthwark.org
Main office number: 020 7358 7020
[email protected]
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark
Table discussions:
1. What can partnership working
do for my organisation or self?
2. Identifying the right partner
3. Building partnerships and
putting ideas into practice
www.communitysouthwark.org @cosouthwark