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, 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’re proud that we were one of the first working groups.
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
- Producing briefings and blogs for commissioners and the VCFSE Sector
- Hosting a VCFSE round table discussion with senior health leads in GM
- Developing a Fair Funding Protocol for GMCA, and influencing wider system to develop a similar commitment
- Building and maintaining relationships with key commissioners across GM and locality systems
- Hosting webinars and events to bring the sector together to learn or network
- Engaging in cross-system work on Social Value
- Developing proposals to influence future commissioning intentions
- Writing influencing letters to key health leads
- Surveying the VCFSE Sector and Commissioners on current experiences of VCFSE commissioning
Find out more about our Commissioning Framework
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
.webp)
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
.jpg)
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:
