Will new commissioning rules make a difference for charities and social enterprises?
Earlier this year, when the DWP published its 2014 Commissioning Policy, an article published by Social Investment Business analysed the implications of this publication.
There has been extensive discussion over the years, touching on the impact of the Work Programme and the ability of small and medium providers “to challenge for contracts” (a key terminology of Localism used by Social Investment Business in their article).
While the Social Investment Business article notes that the DWP – at the highest level of commissioning – will continue to use “nationally commissioned, centrally designed and managed programmes” (so no change there) – they point to aspects of the new policy statement which, in their words, “should make it easier for charities and social enterprises supported by social investment to challenge for contracts”.
They welcome the DWP’s commitment to the full integration of “social value” into their commissioning, as well as the Department’s renewed commitment to welcoming applications from a wide range of partners from public, private and voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors. They also welcome the statement that, when commissioning specialist services, they will consider smaller scale contracts – something which will be welcomed ‘across the board’, if the Depart can actually achieve these objectives this time round.
Two statements which will be extremely welcome to Social Investment Business are that the DWP will “explore opportunities to use innovative social investment based funding models, particularly where they target those with multiple and complex needs”, as well as the statement that “all future commissioning processes are designed to enable a competitive bid backed by social investors”.
Social Investment Business complain that, despite the development of the social investment market over recent years, many government contracts were designed in a way which did not allow charities and social enterprises supported by social investment to bid.
In the two previous paragraphs terminologies have been underline by us because they clearly indicate that a new trend in areas of funding and investment is developing; and it is important that we know about this. One source where those who need to understand more about the trend can make a beginning is by using this link.