The Compact

The Compact and Public Service Delivery

The Compact is an agreement between the Government and the voluntary and community sector made in November 1998.

It aims to improve the relationship between the two sectors for mutual advantage. The Compact is made up of five codes of good practice. The codes clearly outline principles and undertakings of both government and the voluntary and community sector. The five codes are:

Funding and Procurement
Consultation and Policy Appraisal
Black and Minority Ethnic Groups
Volunteering
Community Groups

Because public service delivery so often requires collaboration between voluntary and public sector organisations, the compact and its codes are essential reading for anyone involved.

You can read more about the Compact and its codes on the NCVO Compact web pages.

Supporting successful relationships in service delivery

The Compact offers a framework for a productive relationship between commissioners and VCOs providing public services. By being aware of and putting into action the recommendations of the Compact and its Funding and Procurement Code, organisations will maximise mutual understanding in order to more effectively provide services. They will also be aware of and able to act upon potential breaches of the Compact.

The Compact gives guidance on many issues, including:

Working in partnership
Fundraising and procurement
Managing services and programmes
Promoting community involvement and partnerships

The Funding and Procurement Code offers particular advice on:

Setting up successful procurement, delivery and monitoring systems
Clarity of communication over funding eligibility, representation and accountability
Effective discussion over commissioning strategies, service design and timescales

This Code is particularly relevant where organisations are keen to ensure timely payments, full cost recovery and clarity about administration and how to deal with risk.

How the Compact Advocacy Team can Help

The Compact Advocacy Programme was set up by NCVO to help voluntary and community organisations use the Compact to improve their relationships with Government. The Programme provides practical support and wider campaigning to the sector in cases where the Government has not followed the principles agreed in the Compact.

If you need help and support on how to use the Compact, what principles have been breached and how to best challenge, contact the Advocacy Team. As well as giving advice and support, they also advocate on behalf of organisations in cases of clear breaches. Whether you want your organisation to be anonymous or not, NCVO can campaign on your behalf.

The Compact Advocacy Team can help you:

Identify breaches of the Compact
Set and agree objectives
Identify key decision makers
Draw up a campaign plan
Represent organisations through communications, including letters, emails, phone calls, meetings and press work
Seek policy and practice change
Identify best and worst practice and share lessons within the sector

If you would like to know more about where NCVO can help you with these issues, look at the Compact Advocacy Programme web pages.