NCVO launches new group for Work Programme sub-contractors

Chris Grayling, the Minister for Employment, officially launched the Government’s new flagship welfare to work initiative today. To coincide, NCVO is marking the occasion with the launch of a special interest group aimed at representing the hundreds of voluntary and community organisations that act as sub-contractors in the new Work Programme.

Critics have questioned whether the Work Programme will enable voluntary and community sector providers to provide services on a fair and equitable basis when compared with the private sector; in particular how they will fare in the new payments-by-results environment, or whether the Merlin Standard will have real ‘teeth’ and ensure positive partnership working.

Head of Public Services and Partnerships at NCVO, Oliver Reichardt, said

“This group will be a vital forum for the charities involved in the Work Programme to share experiences and gather evidence in order to shape and influence policy. The Work Programme needs to deliver for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and it’s vital that the sub-contracting arrangements enable that to happen.”

The group will enable sub-contractors to share their experiences; will provide them with information and advice; and will enable NCVO to feed their concerns to Government.

Any voluntary organisations involved in the Work Programme as a sub-contractor should contact Paul Winyard, NCVO’s Welfare to Work Programme Lead.

NCVO’s Public Service Delivery Network provides up to date information on the issues surrounding employment, skills and training and brings together over 2,000 members from the voluntary, public and private sector. Find out more at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/employmentskillstraining.