Voscur - Commissioning https://www.voscur.org/core-categories/commissioning en Bidding for new NPS rehabilitation contracts open https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/bidding-new-nps-rehabilitation-contracts-open <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Bidding for new NPS rehabilitation contracts open</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Ministry_of_Justice_logo.svg_.png?itok=vtp4KsBi" width="600" height="600" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">8 July, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p class="MsoTitle"> </p> <p><span><span><span>VCSE organisations working in the criminal justice sector are now able to bid for community rehabilitation contracts worth up to £100 million.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The bidding process opened last month and is part of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strengthening-probation-building-confidence#progress-and-updates">National Probation Service reforms</a>.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>One of the aims of the new system is to give an “enhanced role” to charities and funding will be available to a mix of private and VCSE organisations.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Suitable organisations will provide services which help address cross-cutting social issues that lead to criminal behaviour such as poor mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, debt and poor education.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Successful organisations will be added to a dynamic services register and will be competitively commissioned for delivery at a local level by prison governors, probation regional directors, police and crime commissioners and other authorities which require them.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>CLINKS has provided a <a href="https://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/Clinks%20TOM%20Briefing.pdf">detailed briefing</a> outlining how the reformed service will operate. <a href="https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/blog-probation-reforms-should-reflect-best-practice-when-it-comes-social-value">Voscur</a> and <a href="https://www.clinks.org/community/blog-posts/probation-reform-and-dynamic-framework-what-you-need-know">CLINKS</a> have both previously written articles outlining concerns over probation reform.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Organisations that are interested in bidding or asking questions about the programmes should email the Strengthening Probation communications team: <a href="mailto:strengthening.probation@justice.gov.uk">strengthening.probation@justice.gov.uk</a></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/commissioning">Commissioning</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/criminal-justice">Criminal justice</a></div></div></div> Wed, 08 Jul 2020 16:14:50 +0000 richard@voscur.org 97648 at https://www.voscur.org New research indicates community organisations should lead the post-pandemic recovery https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/new-research-indicates-community-organisations-should-lead-post-pandemic-recovery <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>New research indicates community organisations should lead the post-pandemic recovery</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Food%20Bank%20Volunteers%20Credit%20Tony%20Alter%20via%20Flickr.jpg?itok=TF2RKteq" width="509" height="346" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Tony Alter via Flickr</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">17 June, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span><span><span>New research on the role that the VCSE sector played during the coronavirus suggests that community organisations should be trusted to lead the post-pandemic recovery.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Published by Locality, “<a href="https://locality.org.uk/policy-campaigns/leading-the-coronavirus-recovery/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Emarketing%20-%20We%20Were%20Built%20for%20This&amp;utm_content=Emarketing%20-%20We%20Were%20Built%20for%20This+CID_312feb8fe9c96aec6a7636e88e26a409&amp;utm_source=Email%20CM&amp;utm_term=here">We Were Built For This</a>” explores how community organisations reacted and adapted to the challenges of the crisis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>More than 100 organisations contributed to the report, which includes case studies from seven organisations across England – one of which is Knowle West Alliance in Bristol.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The report’s findings include:</span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span>Community organisations have often been the quickest to mobilise and adapt their services to the crisis – but need support to meet the challenges of the future</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Community organisations have been the glue that has held together the community response – coordinating and connecting grassroots groups with public and private sector responses.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>In areas where the public, community and private sector already have strong, collaborative relationships, support was made available faster and has been more effective.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Community organisations have been able to harness the upsurge in community spirit – working with and coordinating grassroots groups and hyper-local support.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span>As a result of the findings, Locality and its partners are calling on the government to:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>Support a community-powered economic recovery</b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span>Use dormant assets to establish a £1bn investment plan for community assets</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Ringfence 25% of economic development funding for community-led partnerships</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><b>Create collaborative public services that unlock community power </b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span>Support <a href="https://locality.org.uk/policy-campaigns/localism-devolution/power-partnerships/">“power partnerships”</a>  to develop at a local level through longterm investments in councils and communities</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Permanently embed procurement flexibility that has been introduced during the pandemic</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Shift from competition tendering to community collaboration</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><b>Turn community spirit into community power</b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span>Put neighbourhoods at the heart of the Devolution White Paper</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Provide £500 million revenue funding to support existing community organisations and establish new mutual aid groups</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span>Locality is encouraging all those who agree with the findings to get in touch with their MP using its pre-prepared <a href="https://locality.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Contact-your-MP-we-were-built-for-this.docx">email template</a>.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span> “Our recommendations show how the promised Community Ownership Fund and future economic development funding can be used to drive forward a community powered economic recovery which achieves renewal and growth while tackling entrenched inequality,” said Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Locality.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>“Taken together these recommendations are radical, but common sense. They would deliver much of the Prime Minister’s ambition to level up the country, build self-reliant and resilient communities and bounce back stronger from the crisis.”</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/collaboration">Collaboration</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/commissioning">Commissioning</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/community-assets">Community assets</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/neighbourhoods-and-communities">Neighbourhoods and communities</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/policy">Policy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/volunteering">Volunteering</a></div></div></div> Wed, 17 Jun 2020 18:26:20 +0000 richard@voscur.org 97554 at https://www.voscur.org Bristol City Council and CCG commissioners respond to Voscur’s request for flexibility https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/bristol-city-council-and-ccg-commissioners-respond-voscur%E2%80%99s-request-flexibility <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Bristol City Council and CCG commissioners respond to Voscur’s request for flexibility</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/COVID-19%20resource%20image%20320x250_7_1.jpg?itok=__Olszsf" width="320" height="250" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">3 April, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Updated: 03/4/2020</p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Bristol’s VCSE organisations are playing an important role in the city’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are working hard to maintain and adapt their services to meet communities’ needs. We had received feedback and some concerns about the challenges of bidding for contracts/grants while delivering services in increasingly complex situations and managing workforce challenges. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Consequently, we wrote to <a href="https://www.voscur.org/system/files/16mar20-VCSE%2BCOVID-commg%2Bproc-BCC-email-MH_0.PDF">Bristol City Council</a> and the <a href="https://www.voscur.org/system/files/16mar20-VCSE%2BCOVID-commg%2Bproc-CCG-email-MH_0.PDF">Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos Clinical Commissioning Group</a> about targets/obligations in current contracts and live, imminent and delayed commissioning/procurement processes. We asked for the consideration of relaxing targets/KPIs for Q4 2019/20 and Q1 2020/21, and that other processes are delayed – all of this to contribute to suppliers/bidders’ understanding that the system is being flexible to allow the coordinated, system-wide response to the pandemic. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span><span>Bristol City Council</span></span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.voscur.org/system/files/BCC-reply-to-Voscur-letter-1apr2020_0.pdf">Steve Sandercock</a>, Interim Head of Strategic Procurement and Supplier Relation, says:</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>“With the unprecedented challenges that are presented by the coronavirus pandemic the Council is clear that efforts to tackle this will only be achieved through working effectively and supporting our key partners including the voluntary and community sector partners.  With this in mind the Council recognise the vital role our partners play and are working hard to support them through putting effective measures and approaches in place around our contracts and grant obligations.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The council encourages suppliers to prioritise things that will meet the community’s needs and that it trusts that details will be dealt with in relationships between contract managers and suppliers. Thank you to all in your engagement and continued support.”</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><strong>Existing contracts</strong> - <a href="https://www.voscur.org/system/files/BCC%20Coronavirus%20advice_issued%20BCC%2018-3-20.pdf">guidance has been issued</a> to the council’s contract managers and suppliers. This guidance includes: </span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Consideration for service users and personnel “include ensuring all necessary personnel are aware of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, including high temperature, fever and persistent cough.”</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>“Consideration must be taken as to whether the contract should for a period of time be adjusted in how it is delivered”, including: </span></span></span></span></span> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Delivering differently to avoid face to face delivery</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Delaying or ceasing delivery</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Reprioritising delivery to high risk vulnerable people/communities</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Changing delivery timings to minimise contact with others</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Changing delivery location</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Limiting delivery to urgent/essential cases</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>If there are any risks impact of service delivery, suppliers are asked to consider risks arising from the outbreak of an infectious disease and:</span></span></span></span></span> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Issue notices to the council</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Advise the council of what is happening to prevent delay and ensure service delivery</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Consider the formal risk assessment with the contract manager.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>If suppliers have not been contacted by their council contract manager, they should get in touch with them directly.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><span><span>In addition, Bristol City Council has made changes to its Procurement Protocols, which means: </span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Procurement/tendering for non-essential goods, works or services may be delayed or aborted</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Expedient measures or urgent requirements may be put in place through existing contracts, established frameworks or direct awards</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Maximise existing contracts. </span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span><span><span><span><span>Grants</span></span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Recipients of Bristol City Council grants should have been contacted by their grant officers to discuss how any targets will be amended or relaxed. If grant-holders have not been contacted by their council grant officer, they should get in touch with them directly.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Other grant processes have been suspended/postponed. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <hr /> <p><strong><span><span><span><span><span>Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)</span></span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>In a similar way, the CCG has also responded positively to Voscur’s requests with this letter. Summary of changes to CCG processes: </span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span><strong>Current contracts</strong> – will be honoured if critical to the CCG or COVID-19 response. Potential support if not possible to deliver services; discussions about delivering differently. Contractors are advised to contact (details can be seen in <a href="https://www.voscur.org/system/files/Ltr%20to%20Mark%20Hubbard%20of%20Voscur%202.4.20.pdf" target="_blank">the letter, dated 02/04/2020</a>).</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><strong>Procurement </strong>– no new procurements will take place during this period. Existing processes are likely to be paused, subject to joint commissioning arrangements. </span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><strong>KPIs/targets</strong> – will be relaxed for current contracts from Q4 January-March 2020 and Q1 April-June 2020.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <hr /> <p><span><span><span><span><span>VCSE organisations may also be interested to know that <a href="https://londonfunders.org.uk/about/covid-19">other funders have made recently changes to their programmes</a> and that COVID-19 funding is available for <a href="https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/coronavirus-emergency-grants-digest-updated-010420">organisations contributing to the community response</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <hr /> <p><strong><span><span><span><span><span>Voscur is here to support the sector:</span></span></span></span></span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>For advice about COVID-19 emergency grant funding, check the <a href="https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/coronavirus-emergency-grants-digest-updated-010420">daily Grants Digest</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>For advice about commissioning/procurement: contact Mark Hubbard, Head of Partnerships and Commissioning -email <span><span><a href="mailto:mark@voscur.org">mark@voscur.org</a></span></span> or call 0117 909 9949.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/commissioning">Commissioning</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div></div></div> Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:13:37 +0000 David 97265 at https://www.voscur.org