Report claims councils’ commissioning criteria restricts activity of voluntary sector social care providers

The emphasis placed by councils on commissioning social care providers based on their track record is reducing voluntary sector bodies’ ability to expand their activities, a government-commissioned report said today.

The study, into actual and potential levels of third sector provision in health and social care, found most councils commissioned on the basis of value for money and track record, but in a slight majority of tenders no charity was invited to bid.

This was despite two-thirds of voluntary sector bodies questioned saying they could provide many more services in health and social care.

The report said: “The importance placed on track record by authorities in the tendering process reduces the ability of third sector organisations to broaden their activities.”