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Collaborative working

Collaborative working is increasingly seen as good practice by the government and the VCS itself, with some local authorities requiring organisations to work together in order to bid for contracts. This trend is driven both by increased pressure to achieve value for money and efficiency, but also by the belief that shared working can achieve more effective or joined up services. The introduction of comprehensive area assessments (CAAs) is likely to further drive this change, as local authorities begin to look for opportunities to work collaboratively with the sector themselves.  

What are the implications?

• A reduction in the overall number of charities (see number of general charities) affecting levels and sources of VCS income.
• A pooling or rationalisation of funding streams by both private and statutory funders.
• More partnership working especially in terms of the governance of strategic partnerships.
• Government policies that emphasise the importance of local partnerships.
• Better and more holistic services for users.
• Access to new funding for organisations that work well in collaboration.
• Risk of organisations that provide a one-size-fits all approach leading to a decline in specialist services.
• As well as overcoming the normal challenges of collaborative working, organisations will have to navigate public sector contracts and relationships with local authorities.
• An increase in councils working collaboratively with VCOs.

Moving forward

Working in collaboration may be essential to secure funding in the future.

• Do you need to reconsider your strategic position in relation to other players in your area?
• What questions does your organisation need to consider before entering into collaboration with another organisation? (e.g. you may want to think about differences in organisational life cycles, cultures and aims).
• Do you understand which local contracts require collaborative working and how to access these?

Working in collaboration can strengthen campaigns of all levels and allow organisations to share knowledge and expertise.

• Are there organisations operating in similar environments or campaigns that you could learn from or collaborate with to strengthen your campaign?
• Is your local authority looking to work in collaboration with the VCS? Would this be an appropriate and useful link for your organisation?

Collaborative working can be highly beneficial for your stakeholders.

• Are there other organisations with different areas of expertise that your organisation could work with to complement your services?

Want to know more?

Compete or Collaborate? A strategic choice

Published by: NCVO

Date: 2006

Format: Web

What is it? A seminar report looking at the issues that voluntary and community organisations face when making strategic decisions about competing or collaborating with other organisations working in the same field. 

How useful is this? A good introduction to practical issues facing VCOs when deciding whether to compete or collaborate.  In includes presentation summaries on: what competition and collaboration mean in the VCS; the strategic issues, processes and benefits faced when deciding whether to compete or collaborate; and competition and collaboration as different expressions of engagement.  More detailed papers on these issues are available to download.   It also includes discussion notes around: types of relationship; values underpinningcollaborative or competitive behaviour; and maximising impact.

Other comments:

Collaborative State: How working together can transform services 

Published by: Demos, a left of centre think tank

Date: 2007

Format: Web

What is it? A collection of essays looking at collaboration as a tool for better delivery of public services.

How useful is this? This publication sees collaboration as one of a number of tools necessary for continued improvements in public service delivery.  It sets out what has already been achieved as well as looking to the future and uses a number of international case studies.  The introduction provides a good starting point before dipping into the Chapters most relevant to you.

Partnership in public services: an action plan for the third sector

Published by: Office of the Third Sector – A Government department

Date: 2006

Format: PDF (1 MB)

What is it? An action plan aiming to remove barriers for third sector organisations who want to become involved in delivering and designing public services.

How useful is this? A key publication for VCOs concerned with public services to identify the Government’s policies on collaboration and potential opportunities.

The action plan sets out the benefits and barriers to VCS involvement in public services and how the Government sees the VCS role.  It sets out 18 key actions to improve the Government’s relationship with the sector in relation to: commissioning; procurement; learning from the third sector; and accountability.  A number of good practice case studies are included.

Collaborative working:Partnership between voluntary organisations

Published by: NCVO

Date: 2007

Format: PDF

What is it? A summary of collaborative working in the VCS

How useful is this?  A useful introduction to what collaboration means within the context of the VCS, and how it can benefit organisations.  It outlines the context, types of collaborative working, examines costs and benefits and provides contacts for organisations who want to know more.

Other comments: The collaborative working team in NCVO provide a range of information to support VCOs on collaboration.