Review of partnerships and investment in the voluntary sector
The final report of the VCSE Review, Joint review of partnerships and investment in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in the health and care sector, has been launched
The final report of the VCSE Review, Joint review of partnerships and investment in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in the health and care sector, has been launched. You can access a copy of the report here.
The review has been conducted in partnership between the Department of Health, Public Health England, NHS England and representatives from the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector including Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a member.
The aim of the review was to:
- describe the role of the VCSE sector in improving health, wellbeing and care outcomes
- identify the challenges and opportunities in realising the sector’s potential
- address these challenges and maximise the opportunities
The report makes recommendations for government, health and care system partners, funders, regulatory bodies and the VCSE sector. It emphasises putting wellbeing at the centre of health and care services, and making VCSE organisations an integral part of a collaborative system.
A blog by Alex Fox, the review’s chair, can be found here: blog on the VCSE Review site
Map of European funds by LEP area
The Local Government Chronicle have produced a map of European funding for 2014-20 by LEP area
The Local Government Chronicle have produced a map of European funding for 2014-20 by LEP area.
This shows that the allocated funding for the North West is:
265m euros Lancashire
91m euros Cumbria
414m euros Greater Manchester
221m euros Liverpool City Region
142m euros Cheshire and Warrington
This map is part of an article about the potential impacts of the EU referendum vote on this funding (subscription required) - http://www.lgcplus.com/politics-and-policy/finance/brexit-and-reforms-create-uncertainty-over-european-funding/7004041.article?blocktitle=European-Funding&contentID=23437
New report - Independence in Question
Independence in Question is the fifth annual assessment of the state of health of the voluntary sector, following on from the final report the Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector published in February 2015. The report was published by Civil Exchange with the support of the Baring Foundation and the Lankelly Chase Foundation.
Independence in Question is the fifth annual assessment of the state of health of the voluntary sector, following on from the final report the Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector published in February 2015. The report was published by Civil Exchange with the support of the Baring Foundation and the Lankelly Chase Foundation.
The report warns that the independence of the charity sector is at a five year low, leaving an unhealthy imbalance between community, private sector and state power and the sector in a critical position, and it calls for united action by the voluntary sector to stave off potential further threats.
The report also highlights how the new ‘no advocacy’ clauses in all taxpayer funded grants announced in February 2016 mark a key shift in the balance of voices shaping public policy. The input of grass root and expert voluntary organisations ensures all voices in society can be heard, the report argues, and is especially important at a time of massive changes in services and benefits. It documents a range of challenges that are weakening the voluntary sector including unsupportive statutory funding and contracting arrangements, and challenge to the independent purpose of some charities caused partly by commercialisation which may affect the distinction between the sector and the private and public sectors.
Untapped potential: Bringing the voluntary sector’s strengths to health and care transformation
New Philanthropy Capital was commissioned by the Richmond Group of Charities and a wider group of partners to conduct an evidence review to inform their Doing the Right Thing project, which aims to shape health and care system reform by showcasing the voluntary and community sector’s added value. The Untapped Potential report is now available
New Philanthropy Capital was commissioned by the Richmond Group of Charities and a wider group of partners to conduct an evidence review to inform their Doing the Right Thing project, which aims to shape health and care system reform by showcasing the voluntary and community sector’s added value. The Untapped Potential report is now available.
The research involved the assessment and aggregation of 175 findings from evaluations submitted by the project partners, qualitative research to understand how to integrate the voluntary sector’s offer into the future health and care system and the design of frameworks for a shared language - to help charities describe their work and its value, and to give commissioners and policymakers a way to identify the aspects of charities’ work that most clearly match their needs. The priorities of the NHS Five Year Forward View were central to all aspects of the research and analysis.
The research shows that charities can add value to the health and care system in a range of ways and that charities have a legitimate role in the transformation of the NHS and the wider health and care system in the coming years. However, to achieve this, both the VCS and the statutory system must change their behaviour.
The full report is available from the NPC website - http://www.thinknpc.org/publications/untapped-potential/
EU referendum: NCVO guide
NCVO have produced a discussion paper on the EU referendum and its potential impact on charities. It also contains some of the key questions to consider if your charity is considering entering the referendum debate
The EU referendum result could have implications for the people and causes you support, your mission, and the work that you do.
NCVO have produced a new guide for trustees and senior managers which highlights elements of the current debate that they think are particularly relevant to charities.
It also contains some of the key questions to consider if your charity is considering entering the referendum debate:
EU referendum: A discussion paper for charities
Response to Cutting Red Tape Consultation
The Cutting Red Tape review of local authorities is a government review led by the Cabinet Office, DCLG and BIS, working together with other government departments and regulators. NCVO are planning to submit a response and would like to hear evidence on areas of interest to the sector including procurement and volunteering
The Cutting Red Tape review of local authorities is a government review led by the Cabinet Office, DCLG and BIS, working together with other government departments and regulators. They want to identify and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to growth and associated costs placed on businesses by local authorities, while ensuring necessary protections are maintained, and also gather evidence of where regulation imposes unnecessary or avoidable burdens and costs on local government. More information on the consultation can be found on the Cabinet Office website.
NCVO are planning to submit a short response focussing on procurement barriers, applying for discretionary business rate relief, and volunteering issues. If you have any evidence or examples that you would like them to include, please contact Nick Davies at Nick.Davies@ncvo.org.uk by the end of play on 22nd April. The final deadline for submissions is 28th April.
If you would like any more information on this work, please contact Ann-Marie on 01928 593 111 or at alawrenson@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk.
VSNW and Compact Voice survey into cross-partnership working
Last summer, we conducted a short survey looking at cross-sector partnership working in the North West, in association with Compact Voice. We are now asking VCS organisations to complete a follow-up survey to assess if the level of partnership engagement has changed
Last summer, we conducted a short survey looking at cross-sector partnership working in the North West, in association with Compact Voice. We are now asking VCS organisations to complete a follow-up survey to assess if the level of partnership engagement has changed.
The five minute survey has seven questions and it will provide us with a valuable insight into the extent to which charities are engaged in the commissioning of public services, and how they are working with different commissioning bodies.
Commissioners include not only local authorities but also newer bodies such as Clinical Commissioning Groups, Police and Crime Commissioners and Local Enterprise Partnerships. The results of the survey will help us to identify the changes to partnerships with these bodies and the continuing support and guidance that is required to further improve their effectiveness.
The survey is available via the following link - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KPWVSX5. The deadline for completing the survey is 5pm on Wednesday 6th April.
Launch of Equality Delivery System for the NHS (EDS2): Guide to Engagement with the Local Voluntary Sector
The Race Equality Foundation, in partnership with the LGBT Foundation, Disability Rights UK, and Men's Health Forum have launched the Equality Delivery System for the NHS (EDS2): Guide to Engagement with the Local Voluntary Sector. This guide was commissioned by NHS England and was developed in collaboration with service users, voluntary and community organistions, and key stakeholders from Foundation Trusts, Healthwatch England, NHS Employers, CCGs and the Care Quality Commission.
The Race Equality Foundation, in partnership with the LGBT Foundation, Disability Rights UK, and Men's Health Forum have launched the Equality Delivery System for the NHS (EDS2): Guide to Engagement with the Local Voluntary Sector. This guide was commissioned by NHS England and was developed in collaboration with service users, voluntary and community organistions, and key stakeholders from Foundation Trusts, Healthwatch England, NHS Employers, CCGs and the Care Quality Commission.
This guide explores how the local voluntary and community sector can help NHS organisations to engage communities and, by extension, implement EDS2 better. The voluntary and community sector are often well-placed to help NHS organisations as they have links and expertise with specific communities that health services may have difficulties in engaging with.
An official launch of the guide is planned for April and a copy can be downloaded now from the Race Equality Foundation website.