Providers Group
The Providers Network serves as a discussion and information forum for agencies involved in service delivery in the city of Portsmouth. It arose from the old South East Hampshire Providers Forum where voluntary agencies providing services under contract to Local Authorities could meet to discuss matters of common interest.
Since the early nineties, government policy has been to encourage a “purchase and provide” means of service delivery which has seen a massive increase in services being contracted out to other agencies.
In 2001 the government policy document, "The role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery" paved the way for an increase in services being contracted to the Voluntary Sector; indeed the government sees our Sector as a key provider in the future, especially on the provision of niche services drawing un the expertise which many voluntary groups have with their existing users and beneficiaries.
The formalisation of service contracting has increased in complexity for several reasons. These include:
World Class Commissioning
Commissioning is the cyclical process whereby services are designed, assessed contracted out and then evaluated – not just the contracting process. The government wishes to see commissioning brought to a high standard whereby services meet needs of users and so may need to be redesigned and restructured accordingly. The Voluntary Sector is well placed to inform commissioners about service design and delivery – whether they are the provider or not.
Tendering and Procurement
European legislation has required that certain levels of tendering adhere to pan-European standards, and also that, in theory, agencies can bid across the European Union to run certain services. While many small contracts area exempt form this process, it still means that services being put out to tender need to follow specific guidelines. These can be daunting for Voluntary Sector providers (or would-be providers) who are not used to such procurers.
Bidding and contracting
For smaller contracts which are not put out to tender, a bidding process may still apply, even when a provider is a "preferred provider”. In addition, many services previously funded by grants are switching to contracts. Voluntary Sector agencies need to ensure that contracts meet the needs of both themselves, the purchaser (funder) and the end user.
The Providers Group explores all these topics and more. It brings commissioners, funders, contracting bodies (mainly statutory agencies such as Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Primary Care Trust), together with service providers – voluntary and community groups including social enterprises and infrastructure support groups. Through debate, workshops, presentations and learning from each other, the aim is to ensure that good practice prevails throughout and a common language of service provision is sought.
