Third Sector Guide to Public Sector Commissioning in Norfolk

Third Sector Guide For Public Sector Commissioning in Norfolk (1.51MB download published July 2008 by Voluntary Norfolk) 

This guide has been developed for commissioners of services and procurement teams in the public sector and is designed to help them to get the best from commissioning from third sector organisations. The guide was endorsed by Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP, now part of the Care Quality Commission) and has been used by the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) on their national third sector training programme for commissioners.

A complementary "Third Sector Commissioning Guide: A checklist to intelligent commissioning and intelligent bidding" has been developed jointly between Voluntary Norfolk and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). It  provides additional guidance on how third sector organisations can be involved in the commissioning process.

Third Sector Commissioning Guide (3Mb download).

Printed copies of both guides are free to Third Sector Organisations and the Public Sector in Norfolk.

Commissioning and Procurement training and events

Voluntary Norfolk offers a range of training opportunities and events on commissioning and procurement aimed at Norfolk's voluntary sector.  For details of events coming up please contact Jo Clapham.

A voice for third sector organisations

Voluntary Norfolk is also involved in strategic discussions affecting the future of voluntary organisations. As the move towards personal budgets and a more competitive market place gathers pace, this role of exercising strategic influence with public sector commissioners and procurement managers is increasingly important.

To find out more about how Voluntary Norfolk can help your organisation, please contact:

Jo Clapham, Personalisation Development Manager on 01603 883842

jo.clapham@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk

At Your Bidding is a guide for charity trustees about commissioning and tendering for public services, published in partnership with the Local Government Association.

At a time of significant change within the public sector, the guide aims to:

• Provide some context about the commissioning of public services so that trustees can understand the potential implications and impact of commissioning at a strategic level on their charity

• Outline the issue to consider and the decisions that trustees have to make regarding bidding for service contracts

• Describe the steps that trustees need to take to make sure their organisation is tender and contract ready

• Draw attention to key areas for risk assessment and risk management

• Signpost to other useful publications, resources and sources of information and advice

This publication is not a detailed technical manual on how to tender. The focus is squarely on the key issues that individuals need to be aware of in fulfilling their duties as charity trustees.

At Your Bidding was produced by NAVCA’s Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit, which exists to help local support and development organisations.  They work with trustees, senior officers and development workers and help organisations understand the new commissioning and procurement landscape, and prepare frontline groups for the challenges ahead.

The team provides practical information, advice and guidance to help local voluntary organisations and community groups engage with commissioning and procurement - whether this involves contributing to an understanding of community needs, shaping the design of services or winning and delivering contracts.

Download your copy of At Your Bidding as a PDF.