Commissioning and Investment
Our aim is to support the delivery of the VCSE Commissioning Framework, improving standards and practices.
We work collaboratively with commissioners and system leaders across Greater Manchester, including NHS ad GMCA partners, in collaboration with the Alternative Provider Collaborative, influencing decision-making in commissioning and procurement.
The scope of our work spans commissioning and investments in all parts of the Great Manchester public service system, including the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, NHS Greater Manchester, the 10 Local Authorities and the Acute and Mental Health Trusts.
We use lobbying to create new opportunities and investment and position the VCFSE Sector as a key design and delivery partner within Greater Manchester systems.
We recognise that the VCFSE sector is part of the solution to tackle the systemic and societal challenges faced by people and communities across Greater Manchester, as community-led organisations offering social value and flexibility in approach to reach those under-served by mainstream services. However, current commissioning practices can stifle innovation, and impact on service delivery.
We are aiming for a model of commissioning that is planned over the longer term, fairly funded, and with inbuilt contractual flexibility. A three-year norm for contracts would provide a healthier system, with grants and funds established to encourage VCSE organisations to develop novel solutions.
We aim to ensure that the VCFSE sector is included as key system shaping and delivery partners, with an equal place at decision-making tables; and that the system is making use of greater flexibilities and freedoms around procurement.
Key activity
Our priorities
- Commissioning and procurement standards and pathways are developed and embedded in the GM public service system
- Grants, investment and social value are optimised in the GM public service system
- Commissioning for inclusion is maximised in all parts of the GM public service system
- The VCFSE sector is embedded as a key co-design partner in shaping and delivering Greater Manchester systems
- Market supply is developed through partnership-building, design and delivery of new solutions and securing capital investment
Here are a few highlights from all we've achieved
- Supporting the creation of the Alternative Provider Collaborative
- Guidance produced around the Procurement Act 2024 for the VCFSE Sector.
- We aim to influence how Social Value is thought of, measured and secured by commissioning and procurement colleagues. Read our key messages for Commissioners.
- We hosted a VCFSE round table discussion with senior health leads in Greater Manchester
- Developing a Fair Funding Protocol for GMCA, and influencing wider system to develop a similar commitment
- Building and maintaining relationships with key commissioners across Greater Manchester and locality systems
- Hosting webinars and events to bring the sector together to learn or network
- Developing proposals to influence future commissioning intentions
- Writing influencing letters and delivering impactful campaigns to key health leads to support our sector
- Surveying the VCFSE Sector and Commissioners on current experiences of VCFSE commissioning
Find out more about our Commissioning Framework
In 2019 a partnership of VCSE organisations, in collaboration with commissioning partners, reviewed existing commissioning with the VCSE sector and developed a VCSE commissioning Framework to support commissioning practices in Greater Manchester. This Framework was signed off by the Joint Commissioning Board in February 2020; and then refreshed with a new preface in July 2021, outlining its future in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; the development of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care System; deepening inequalities experienced by communities and the publication of the Greater Manchester Independent Inequalities Commission report.
The aim of the framework is to ensure tackling inequalities is at the centre of all decision-making.
Our key recommendations are
- Embed the importance of the VCSE sector
- Invest strategically in the infrastructure required for building VCSE and community capacity
- Better knowledge, understanding and access
- Accessible procurement and a strategic approach to grants
- A core focus on co-design and co-production
- Embed Social Value
- Develop and implement an evaluation framework
Find out more on progress made on the VCSE Commissioning Framework recommendations over the past 4 years in this report.
Organisations involved
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Download the ‘4 years on’ report
In January 2020, the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group published a framework with eight key recommendations to improve VCSE sector commissioning. A survey conducted in early 2024 assessed progress on these recommendations, providing valuable insights into current VCSE commissioning experiences. These findings have informed the refinement of the VCSE Commissioning and Investment Group’s plans for 2024/2025 and beyond.
Read the report
News, events and opportunities
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Useful resources
Key contacts
This work is being led by VSNW on behalf of the Leadership Group but cuts across all working groups and accord delivery.
Susie Wright
Keisha Tomlinson
Kassie Banks
Request VCFSE participation
For Statutory agency or other partner requesting VCFSE participation
The role of the statutory agency or other partner requesting participation.
- Use GM VCFSE Leadership Group as the first point of contact to set up VCFSE sector participation on a board/group
- Recognise the independence of GM VCFSE Leadership Group in selecting participants in whom members of the VCSE sector have trust and confidence. In certain cases, the board/ group will work alongside GM VCFSE Leadership Group to ensure that the appropriate participant is selected
- Provide the information requested in the below form (as far as possible) when making a request for VCFSE sector participation to the GM VCFSE Leadership Group
- Offer an induction for the participant and identify key documents the participant should be familiar with prior to starting to attend meetings
- Recognise the different issues associated with consulting and representing a ‘sector’ as opposed to a single agency and take these into account in terms of the expectations of the VCSE sector’s role (This may mean ensuring the participant has time to undertake consultation: the participant cannot offer guarantees or any such undertakings without consultation)
- Be clear about any requirements for confidentiality
- If possible, aim to financially support representation of VCFSE sector through offering an annual bursary
- Work with GM VCFSE Leadership Group to identify capacity building issues and way in which these can be supported
Dispute resolution
If there are concerns about anyone participating on behalf of the VCFSE sector, or if the participant has concerns about their role in the Board/Group, the situation will be dealt with informally in the first instance through discussions with the GM VCFSE Leadership Group and the group/board’s chair.
Please enter the below details if you are looking to request VCFSE participation on your board or group. We will get back to you:
