Consultations; Department of Health Third Sector Funding Review - A summary

If you are a member of HealthNet you will have received a maling to inform you about the current consultation on the Department of Health’s (DH) third sector funding review. The mailing included a consultation feedback form, from which we got a really good response. The HealthNet team at Bradford CVS attended one of the DH’s regional consultation events to feed your views back. We will also be compiling a written response on behalf of the membership. If you sent the form back thank you, if you would still like to give us your comments then there is until the 20^th of March, just click on the bit at the bottom of this post that says ‘comments’, type you feedback in the box, then click ‘publish your comment. You can view comments that people have already left to the right of this post.

Here is a summary of the DH’s proposals which will hopefully make it quicker and easier to understand than reading the 50 page document.

Current DH funding streams

• Section 64 (general grants); A large number of ‘core’ grants and project funding
• Section 64 (specific grants); Large investments to respond to specific challenges
• Opportunities for Volunteering; Supports 300 projects per year, most of which support local activity, to enable third sector organisations to involve volunteers in health and social care activity
• Social Enterprise Investment Fund and Pathfinders Schemes; Support the development of social enterprise models to deliver innovate health and social care services
• Contracts; DH contracts with third sector for a range of services

Proposals for future functions of DH funding of the third sector

This model incorporates ‘investing and ‘shopping’ approaches to funding the third sector

Social Enterprise Investment Fund

• Support existing and new social enterprises that deliver health and social care services
• Improve the quality of care in community settings for diverse range of communities
• Increase choice of care providers and services that are responsive to people’s needs
• Reduce inequalities, promote social inclusion and promote independence and well-being

Invest in Strategic Partners

• Support policy development through strategic advocacy and user/carer engagement
• Be partners in delivery of policy and public service objectives
• Support capacity building in the sector
• Develop networks to support sustainability

Support innovation, excellence and service development

• Project funding will support new service development or start-up for new providers
• Test and evaluate innovative approaches and good practice to inform wider application and investment
• Link third sector organisations, NHS and local authority (LA) commissioners

Promote and support volunteering

• ‘Pump prime’ local volunteering projects and service models
• Invest in development of sustainable volunteer infrastructure and agreed quality standards
• Evaluate impact and outcomes to inform wider application and investment
• Develop efficient and sustainable models
• Link third sector organisations, NHS and LA volunteer involvement

Contract for expertise required at national level

• Specific policy advice
• National health promotion campaigns (e.g. Sunsmart)
• Service provision where appropriate
• Contracts that support stability and robust managements arrangements
• Reflecting that primary care trusts (PCTs) and Las commission most direct service delivery

To download a copy of the strategic review and related documents follow this link http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_081183

I hope you found this summary useful.

Rachel @ HealthNet

Events: Social Enterprise and VCS Commissioning

What is social enterprise? How is it relevant to PCT and Alliance commissioning? How might it be relevant to the voluntary and community sector? What support is available to help finance and develop health social enterprises locally?

This lunchtime seminar is organised by the Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust's Community Development Team. It will be Tuesday 18th March: 1pm to 2pm in the Large Board Room at Douglas Mill. The seminar will be presented by Bradford Council's Social Enterprise advisor; West Yorkshire Social Enterprise Link and Unltd - the body which backs social entrepreneurs. You are welcome to bring along your lunch, your questions and your concerns to discuss with the presenters.

To reserve a place please email andrew.creighton@bradford.nhs.uk. For enquires please contact Jan Smithies jan.smithies@bradford.nhs.uk or 01274: 237299.