Building a framework for commissioning the voluntary and community sector

Abstract

Croydon Council is committed to increasing voluntary and community sector (VCS) service delivery and building on the best practice that has secured its Beacon status. A key component of this success has been developing a new and robust commissioning framework in partnership with the VCS that will lead to a common approach to commissioning across all agencies in the local strategic partnership. The main purpose of this paper is to show how Croydon Council has developed its work around commissioning using a number of tried and tested critical success factors as the basis for the new framework: trust and openness, involvement of the VCS as equal partners, compact way of working, partnership mechanisms, regular dialogue with the VCS, senior accountability, commitment to capacity building, accessing external funding and a shared commitment to improving commissioning at the highest level in all partner agencies. These components are essential for a common approach to work. This paper further highlights elements of good practice in the framework that can be used by other organisations wanting to increase commissioning of VCS agencies, including a template of good practice principles. Two case studies highlight how elements of the framework are used in practice along with the numerous benefits that have been garnered in each case.