SUPPORT AND ADVICE
Just do it!
Inserting a requirement
There are no barriers to requiring suppliers to demonstrate their wider impact on your organisational aims. It is a simple way for those buying public services to drive providers to get best value
Enable third sector providers
The Office for the Third Sector’s initiative, ‘Third Sector Contracting Programme’ is working to improve outcomes by enabling third sector providers to access public service markets. They are working across Government to improve commissioning and procurement practices in order to maximise the third sector’s potential contribution. If you would like more information, contact the contracting unit.
Get the expertise
Access free training
Training for commissioners to learn more about alternative approaches to commissioning is widely available.
I&DeA – the improvement and development agency for local government is managing the National Programme for Third Sector Commissioning. With delivery partners (including the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accounting, London Councils, the National School of Government, university business schools and leading third sector bodies including ACEVO, Bassac, NAVCA, Social Enterprise Coalition and the SROI Network) the programme provides guidance on commissioning services from the third sector, skills training and improved third sector bidding capacity.
NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) offers training and seminars for staff working in specific areas such as policy, planning and public service delivery.
Find out more
Expert guidance from the sector
The Social Enterprise Coalition is developing detailed guidance for commissioners. Find out more here.
OGC (Office of Government Commerce) provides best practice guidelines for commissioners.
Read the evidence
A Better Return, was commissioned by the Cabinet Office and authored by nef, it argues that the persistence of a narrow focus on unit costs in public services commissioning is missing opportunities to maximise public benefit.
The Demos paper Getting More for Less offers policy makers practical guidance on how to get more for less.
Solicitors Anthony Collins, who specialise in third sector organisations and procurement, set out the legal ramifications of “delivering values and value for money through social benefits in public procurement” the in their paper Fresh Thinking.
