Commissioning the Third Sector Government policy on commissioning the third sector Opportunities and barriers GMCVO and commissioning New GMCVO Health Partnership Project

Government policy agenda: public services High expectations of the ‘third’ sector to deliver public services Shifting control over services to the local level Commissioners advised to support the development of a plurality of providers from different sectors, creating choice and competition

Government policy agenda: commissioning the third sector Commissioning according to outcomes Commissioners to actively support the third sector to bid for contracts Greater transparency, fairness, flexibility and efficiency in the commissioning process

Opportunities… Outcome-based commissioning may favour the sector Third sector input into public service planning and design More of a strategic role for the sector

…and barriers Lack of capacity, resources, skills and (secure) funding. Some organisations are a long way from being ‘market ready’ Full cost recovery…? Third sector simply a delivery arm for the NHS and local government Anxieties that smaller organisations will lose out in competition for resources

What role for infrastructure? Supporting commissioners in ‘talking’ to the sector: info, consultation, representation, brokerage Supporting the sector to become ‘market ready’: training, capacity building etc Co-ordinating consortia/partnerships of third sector contractors

GMCVO and Commissioning Audit Commission review of health inequalities in Greater Manchester GMCVO consultation on the Dept of Health Commissioning Framework for Health and Well-being

GMCVO and Commissioning: Health Partnership Project Overcome barriers to commissioning the third sector in Greater Manchester Improve commissioners’ knowledge and understanding of third sector Build capacity of third sector to navigate the commissioning process Build a strong strategic relationship between third sector and Greater Manchester partners

Conclusion Commissioning presents opportunities to the third sector – not just to deliver public services but to reform them Third sector infrastructure bodies have an important role to play Success of GMCVO project depends on good links with third sector infrastructure