Agencies question the future of contract culture

Fears about the future of the contract culture were raised when
UK voluntary child care agencies met in Glasgow last week.

The Four Nations Forum, organised by Children in Scotland,
brought together the NSPCC, Save the Children, Barnardo’s,
ChildLine and NCH Action For Children and others.

They complained the only way to survive local government
reorganisation was to sign contracts for services. This could lead
to inflexibility and a lack of innovation.

‘While it is important for voluntary organisations to secure
contracts, they should not forget their campaigning role, which can
often point up weaknesses or gaps in statutory provision,’ the
forum said.

‘A series of contracts for specific, individual services can
cause fragmentation and threaten the whole child view of services,
for which voluntary agencies have long campaigned.’