Question from Community Care – How voluntary sector agencies can gain public sector contracts

How voluntary sector agencies can gain public sector contracts 

By Richard Gutch

* What benefits do voluntary sector organisations bring to the public sector in delivering services? Is there any part of the public sector that a voluntary or community organisation should not compete in? (GUIDE TIME FOR DISCUSSION: 10 minutes)

* Do voluntary organisations/charities risk betraying their values by competing against the private sector in delivering public services? (20 minutes)

* What should commissioners/purchasers do to help more voluntary sector organisations compete equally for contracts? (10 minutes)

* What other models of finance could help the voluntary sector become more businesslike in its manner and less reliant on grant finance? (10 minutes)