Developing a code of practice to work with the Third Sector (Plymouth)

The Third Sector is an important partner in shaping the future of Plymouth's children's trust and key to ensuring improved commissioning and market development. Commissioners in the statutory sector have worked with the Third Sector to develop a more inclusive approach which recognises its strengths and begins to remove barriers. Work over the last two years has included:

• a series of consultations and events focused on commissioning for innovation and the role of the Third Sector in all stages of the commissioning process
• providing training with and to voluntary and community organisations in specific areas, in order to develop the market
• modernisation of the procurement process.

As a result, Plymouth is beginning to derive benefits from this increased partnership working, which include:

• increased participation in recent tendering exercises by the Third Sector
• voluntary-sector and community-sector providers report that the process has promoted increased participation and an open dialogue with the local authority as purchaser
• increased added value through contracts let.
  

Further contacts: Helen McLindon and Wiiliam Woyka.