Reforming Public Services - views from the voluntary sector

Daniel FluskeyNational Council for Voluntary Organisations

Contact: daniel.fluskey@ncvo-vol.org.uk 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

• Social mission• Clear governance • Trusted• Person-centred• Community facing; local• Innovative and flexible

Public services • Changing landscape– OPSWP– Commissioning – Fiscal constraints driving change?

• Challenges– Payment by results– Lack of level playing field– Unmanaged competition– Cultural barriers – Structural barriers: public sector, size of contracts

OPSWP

• 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

• 2. Choosing appropriate procurement models: Levels for quotations and tenders, examples of misapplied EU regulations, transparency & non-discriminations in procurement

• 3. Managing risk, liabilities & ensuring accountability in contracts and relationships

• 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 grant-funding)– Comprehensive training programme– Mandatory involvement of the VCS in all stages of

the commissioning cycle – Capacity Building and improving communications

– VCS Task Group • Chaired by CEO • Commissioning, Perfromance, Right to Buy and Right to

Challenge

What works?

• What are your expectations of the VCS?

• What are the potential conflicts?

• Top tips… be open, be fair