The national Compact

Tom ElkinsCompact Voice Manager

23rd April 2013

What is the Compact?

• Agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector

• Sets out principles and commitments for both the voluntary sector and government

• Applies only to England• Based on engagement with

government and the voluntary sector

History of the Compact• First published in 1998, based on

recommendations set out in a report from the Deakin Commission into relationships between sectors.

• Initially accompanied by five Compact codes

• Local Compacts introduced in 2000• Commission for the Compact

established in 2007• Compact refreshed in 2009 –

consolidated codes into one document

• In 2010, change in government announced renewal of the Compact, and closure of the Commission

• December 2010 – renewed Compact launched

Who is signed up to the Compact?

• The Compact is signed by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Civil Society representing government

• It is signed by Simon Blake OBE on behalf of the voluntary and community sector

• Every government department is signed up to following the principles of the Compact

• The Compact extends to all organisations distributing funds on the government’s behalf – including NDPBs and prime/sub contractors

Compact Voice• Small team• Membership organisation –

2850 members • Representative board• Provides training and support

for Compacts both locally and nationally

• Shares examples of good practice

• Annual comprehensive membership survey

• Organises and promotes Compact Week and Awards

What does the Compact say?

• Covers a number of key topics:• Independence and the right

to campaign• Consulting with charities

when developing policies• Supporting charities to

deliver projects and services • Understanding the impact of

changes to funding and other forms of support

• Protecting and considering disadvantaged groups

How is the Compact supported?

• Since renewed government introduced in 2010, central government has strengthened its use in a variety of ways:

• Voluntary agreement but government departments are expected to follow it

• National Audit Office report into compliance and implementation - NAO’s findings highlighted high levels of support in government

• Included in department business plans

• Supported through other policies – Best Value Guidance, JSNA guidance

• Ombudsmen can investigate and enforce

• Referenced in various policy documents

What did NAO’s report say?Five key principles• Leadership and ownership of the Compact’s

implementation should be supported by proper arrangements

• Arrangements should support internal and external reporting on the Compact’s implementation

• Arrangements should support the identification and dissemination of good practice to help improve performance

• Arrangements should support the evaluation of the Compact’s implementation

• Arrangements should encourage transparent relationships with Civil Society

What did NAO’s report say?Specific Recommendations:• A senior responsible officer is a visible contact point for civil society• Cross-departmental groups/ cross government groups focusing on the

Compact• Advisory Boards including representatives of the sector• Annual Report disclosures concerning the Compact• Communications with Non-Departmental Public Bodies about the

Compact• Events for supply chain providers about the department’s policy agenda

and expectations• Peer reviews and Internal Audits of Compact implementation• Internal events and guidance on Compact working• Strategic Partners Programme (focusing on the sector)• Incorporating the Compact into new policy and guidance• Compact kitemark: accredited by Compact Voice or internal self

assessment

Department Business Plans

Ensure compliance with the Civil Society Compact, including collaborative working with the civil society sector.

Senior Responsible OfficerSenior Responsible Officer role profile (Grade 3 Civil Servant or above)

• To be a visible point of contact for the department’s engagement with the VCS sector and the Compact.

• Be in regular contact with Compact Voice. • To recruit and work with the Responsible Officer. • To oversee the championing and promoting The Compact across the

department. • To regularly identify and share best practice examples. • To ensure the department’s activities are Compact compliant. • To lead and be accountable for the department’s implementation of the

NAO report recommendations on the Compact.

Responsible Officer 1Responsible Officer role profile (Grade 7 or 8 Civil Servant): • To disseminate best practice and case studies provided by Compact Voice. • To disseminate insights from local engagement work provided by Compact

Voice. • Share and identify good working between the VCS sector and central

government and share with the Responsible Officers in other departments.

• To monitor consultations taking place in the department, and ensure the Compact guidance is adhered to.

• To look into and where possible resolve potential breaches of the Compact, and work with relevant departmental representatives and Compact Voice or OCS in investigating these.

• To keep track of major policy announcements / speeches or other relevant policy opportunities where the Compact / VCS sector is relevant.

Responsible Officer 2• To coordinate up-to-date website content and information on the

department’s work on partnerships with the VCS and the Compact, supported by Compact Voice.

• To inform all members of staff in their department about the commitments of the Compact. Example activities:

• Regular training sessions for the department on the Compact and working with the VCS sector for Civil Servants.

• Sharing best practice examples with colleagues. • Disseminating insights provided by Compact Voice’s engagement work

around the department. • Let Compact Voice and OCS know about potential opportunities for the

VCS sector in the department

Local Compacts

Tom ElkinsCompact Voice Manager

14th December 2012

Local Compacts• 172 active local Compacts

across England• Most areas have a local

Compact - 9 areas not covered by a local Compact

• 3 local Compacts are inactive• Use similar principles to National

Compact• High levels of support for local

Compacts• Local Compact groups support

local partnerships• Government priorities around

localism – key role for local groups

Local support for Compact

• 82% respondents agree that effort needs to be made to implement it in full

• 52% “agreed strongly”

What do local areas say?

Divided sectors

Believe that implementation of their local Compact is improving

60% 26%

Believe that people in the public sector know about their local Compact

72% 38%

Believe that people in the VCS know about their local Compact

81% 55%

Public Sector VCS

Policy Context• Best Value Statutory Guidance“Authorities should be responsive to the benefits and needs of voluntary and community sector organisations of all sizes (honouring the commitments set out in Local Compacts) and small businesses. • Government Procurement Pledge“The commitments set out in the Procurement Pledge will make public procurement more accessible to civil society organisations looking to be involved in the design and/or delivery of public goods and services and will help to successfully implement the procurement related principles of the Compact.”• Code of Practice on Consultation “…longer and more detailed consultation will be needed in situations where smaller, more vulnerable organisations such as small charities could be affected. The principles of the Compact between government and the voluntary and community sector will continue to be respected.”

Impact of central Government initiatives

How Compact Voice supports local Compact groups

• Priority Areas Programme

• Case studies• Briefings and guidance• Training and speaking• Freedom of Information

campaigns• Compact Week and

Awards• Annual local Compact

survey

www.compactvoice.org.uk