Working together to deliver results

Tony WilsonPolicy Director

Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion

Context

Changing marketplace:• From eight lead contractors to three• At least as many sub-contractors under the bonnet...• And could be more: Leads will need to offer support

for longer, to wider range of people, across NI

Changing contracts:• Greater focus on performance/ financial/ risk

management

Implications...

• Different relationship between DEL and leads; leads and subs – the vertical links

• Different relationships between providers?Horizontal links. In particular:

• More scope for testing, learning, adapting?

• New ways of working – technical needs

• Provider voice?

Joining up horizontally...

By geography – e.g.:• City Strategy Pathfinders (2005-2010):

• Clear local strategy/ planning/ leadership• Facilitated networks• ... of course relied on some funding

By specialism – e.g.:• ERSA sub-groups:

• Virtual and real networks• Self-organised by industry... of course member benefit

• Sponsored networks, e,g. NEON (2009-11):• Virtual and real, funded by Government

And cutting across these, events like today’s

Test, learn, adapt – more effective

• We know broadly what works...

• ... And you will know as well/ better than me

• Loads of UK research, even more internationally – via OECD, IZA, World Bank, others

• At least: how best to use, share, learn from what we think we know so far?

• At most: can we aspire to sharing learning across Steps 2 Success..? Possibly not at first...

Technical/ professional needs – more effecientGreat 2008 report by “Third Sector Task Force”:

• Providers need professional expertise in:• Contract negotiation• Managing financial risk• New performance management systems

• Providers need to work together and share expertise

• Proposed specialist mentors, common standards

What scope, lessons can learn for NI?

Provider voice – more powerful

• ERSA – and equivalents in US, Australia

• “T2 Connect”

• Sub-contractors’ forum (to come)

Feasibility study recommended Code of Conduct, some standardisation of terms.

• But how ensure strong voice?

An example from Steps to Work

Springvale Learning

Partnership Working

Springvale Learning

1992- 2012

First Community Employment and Training Facility

Delivering

Employment Related Services

Springvale Learning

Partnering:Local Community OrganisationsVoluntary Specialist GroupsPrivate ProvidersEmployersPublic Sector Bodies

Models of Managing Supply Chain

1. Lead Contractor of Consortium 33 members

2. Lead Contractor of Supply Chain 20 members

Contract Delivery

Selection of Providers to achieve

Contract AimsContract TargetsContract Supply

Contract Delivery

“The strategic leadership provided by Springvale as Lead Contractor of the West

Belfast contract area is very good”

ETI Inspection 2009

Management of Supply Chain

Subcontractors:Expectations Clear Service level ContractProvision and volumeQuality Assurance

Management of Supply Chain

Subcontractors:Communication Subcontractors Monthly MeetingsOne to one Subcontractor meetings

“There is effective communication and outstanding relationships between the Lead Contractor and the sub-

contractors. “ ETI Inspection 2011

Management of Supply Chain

Subcontractors:Administration SystemFinancial SystemSharing up to date informationPerformance data

Management of Supply Chain

Subcontractors:Good practice forums

AssessmentPolicies and ProceduresDelivery techniquesJobsearch materialsSelf Evaluation Training

Springvale Learning

Comments /Questions