Commissioning in Crisis
This research brings together the experiences of small charities to reveal widespread poor practice in commissioning services which prevents them from competing to deliver public services
This research brings together the experiences of small charities to reveal widespread poor practice in commissioning services which prevents them from competing to deliver public services
Click here to download the summary or on the image below to see the full report:
Commissioning in Crisis was conducted by the Foundation in a bid to better understand the processes behind the commissioning of public services from the perspective of small and medium-sized charities. Small charities are affected by a push towards large-scale contracts and a decline in grants.
This research highlights how the current commissioning system prevents small and medium-sized charities from competing fairly, leaving them at increased risk of closure and decreasing the delivery of public services to those who need it most.
This report brings together the experiences of small charities who have taken part in 120 tenders, evidencing a catalogue of errors and unacceptable hurdles small charities must overcome to continue supporting local people in need. The findings reveal widespread patterns of poor commissioning practice across England and Wales that centre around the following three issues:
As a result, small charities are struggling to respond to bureaucratic, complex and inappropriate requests by commissioners, that discriminates against small charities based on their size. Yet, small charities are not alone in the challenges they face. The report also recognises that commissioners themselves are under increasing pressure with ever-tightening budgets and fewer resources available to meet communities’ needs.
The report identifies key recommendations for both local commissioners and Central Government that aim to reform commissioning to make it work for those who meet needs locally.
This report looks at local government spending in England on services for disadvantaged adults and children facing disadvantage.
Read more
This report, conducted by Sheila Mckechnie Foundation, comprises of a year-long conversation with practitioners and a review of existing evidence about how change happens in civil society.
Read more
This report from Social Enterprise UK calls for a rethink on how public bodies use social value, urging it to be placed front and centre of how local and central government works.
Read more