Social Services Research Group
(The information below was posted to the IDeA website on 4 June (http://www.idea.gov.uk/news/press/040601.htm)
At a joint conference between the Improvement and Development Agency and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations on 31st two new publications were launched. Partnerships for Best Value -Working with the Voluntary Sector published by the IDeA and To Mutual Advantage: getting the best out of Best Value', published by NCVO.
The IDeA publication, Partnerships for Best Value highlights the Governments aims for a far more mixed economy of service provision with the emphasis on partnership rather than traditional contracting.
It recognises that there is concern within the voluntary sector about the way in which council's approaches to Best Value will impact on their role and whether councils are aware of their potential as contributors to the development of solutions and provision of future services.
If local authorities are to develop effective partnerships with voluntary and community organisations they need a commitment to supporting the sector in away that provides some certainty and stability and an agreed framework of engagement. The government's Compact with the Voluntary Sector enshrines the principles of effective partnership and the rapid spread of local compacts.
The report goes on to add that when authorities are deciding their strategies for commissioning and procurement they need to ensure that the potential solutions offered by the voluntary sector are considered alongside in-house and private providers.
Best Value requires performance management and voluntary organisations funded or commissioned by authorities will need to demonstrate that they have quality improvement and performance measurement systems in place.
Frances Carter from the IDeA, said at the conference,' the nature and distinctive role of the voluntary sector means that authorities will need to have a clear commissioning strategy for engaging with voluntary and community organisations in service provision. The models for such a strategy are offered in the report'. The Report Contact: 020 7296 6513 Cost £10 ISBN: 0748893598 Ref No: CTO020
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