Third sector commissioning
The third sector embraces community and self-help groups, voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
Dream Commissioners
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Social enterprises can deliver NHS services, but NHS commissioners must help. Bryan Teixeira and David Janner-Klausner list the qualities of their 'dream commissioner' in this SocietyGuardian article
Policy documents setting the pace
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No excuses. Embrace partnership now. Step towards change! Report of the third sector commissioning task force. Short and challenging
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Report of The Third Sector Commissioning Task Force part two: outputs and implementation. Longer, useful detail on accreditation and other matters
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Joint Cabinet Office and HM Treasury Review of the Third Sector Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) 2007: The Future Role of the Third Sector in Social and Economic Regeneration - May-November 2006.The Government is doing a major review of the future role of the "third sector" in social and economic regeneration, which will consider long-term priorities for the sector, in the context of future social challenges. There is a series of consultation events. You can also email the review team at thirdsector@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk or vcs.rsvp@hm-treasury.gsi.gov.uk.
Social enterprise networks and links
A social enterprise is "a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners." (Department of Trade and Industry, 2002).
See the NHS Networks Social Enterprise pages for very comprehensive information including listings of providers Social enterprises in health and care , and financial and legal issues in Practical Issues
Useful documents and links
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Making it real a report of the pilot partnership improvement programme with voluntary and community organisations and local authorities June 2006. Report on eight areas in pilot Partnership Improvement Programme (PIP), a joint initiative between the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and the Aston Centre for Voluntary Action Research (ACVAR).
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For good measure. Contract, without squeezing, voluntary and community groups – an appeal for action. National Association for Voluntary and Community Action puts forward proposals for lighter monitoring to spare voluntary and community sector unnecessary and bureaucratic reporting requirements imposed by funders
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Towards Race Equality in Health: a Guide to Policy and Good Practice for Commissioning Services Race for Health May 2006 (PDF, 371KB)