Commission identifies key factors behind successful Local Compacts

23 Oct 2008

New research identifying practical approaches to increase the effectiveness of Local Compacts and effective local partnership working has been published today by the Commission for the Compact.

Entitled ‘What makes a successful Local Compact’, the findings identify the critical factors behind successful Local Compacts. These agreements between local government, public bodies and the voluntary and community sector can now be found in all top tier local authorities.

Richard Williams, Policy Adviser at the Commission for the Compact, said:

“Effective partnership working at a local level is vital as so many Third Sector organisations are locally based, working primarily with local public bodies. There are varying degrees of success and this research clearly highlights that better local partnership working and better outcomes result from Compact principles being applied on a day to day basis.

“This is not traditional piece of research and it is more of a practical guide containing real life examples and case studies. We hope that the research and its findings will be used as a basis of a healthy discussion in Local Strategic Partnerships, local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, community and voluntary sector organisations and in Compact implementation groups.”

“Whilst not being prescriptive, we want partners involved in local partnership working to consider how these messages can be applied to improve the effectiveness of their Local Compact. Throughout September, we have been holding a series of regional workshops to discuss the research findings and capture best practice from around the country,”

Key findings from the research:

• A barrier and challenge to effective partnership working at a local level is a lack of trust and communication between partners. Applying Compact principles as a framework for how relationships are conducted between local public and third sector organisations over time builds trust and a better working relationship resulting in better outcomes.
  
• Ownership of the Compact at senior levels within local authorities is vital, not only in committing to the Compact at a strategic level but translating this commitment into action at all tiers of operation. The research highlights that this is a critical factor that contributes to ensuring that the Compact is a framework for effective local partnership working.
  
• Linking the Compact to local decision making structures (for example, embedding Compact principles at the heart of Local Strategic Partnerships) has resulted in more effective partnership working in some areas.
  
• Developing, maintaining and driving forward Local Compacts requires support in the form of people with time, motivation and commitment. The research highlights that two approaches can achieve this: the use of a dedicated Compact Champion; and/or embedding the responsibility within a number of people’s jobs.

Simon Blake, Chief Executive of sexual health charity Brook and Chair of Compact Voice, the independent body which represents the voluntary and community sector on taking forward the Compact, said:

“We know what works and we know a good Local Compact makes a real difference for voluntary and community organisations. Now partners wanting to see real benefits from their Local Compacts should turn the findings from this research into practical, local action.”

This research was carried out by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), an independent charitable research institute, specialising in action research and capacity building with charities and other voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations. The data was collected from a range of written material and face-to-face semi-structured interviews and focus groups in 11 local authority areas.

Downloads

What makes a successful Local Compact - Report
Overview of workshops from all events
Press Release-Local Compact Research Findings

Notes for editors

• Established in April 2007, the Commission for the Compact is an independent body responsible for overseeing the Compact - an agreement between the Government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage and community gain. The Commission works with key partners to take the Compact forward including Compact Voice, who represent the views of the Third Sector on the Compact, the Office of the Third Sector and the Local Government Association (LGA).
  
• The Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) is an independent, charitable research institute based at Birkbeck, University of London. IVAR specialises in action research and capacity building with charities and other voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations.

www.ivar.org.uk

For media enquiries, please contact:

Catherine Byerley, Communications Officer
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5905
Email: catherine.byerley@thecompact.org.uk