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Commission's independence study looks at central government departments
30 Jun 2008
How central government departments are observing their commitments to respect the right of third sector organisations to campaign and exercise their independence is the subject of a research study being undertaken by the Commission for the Compact.
Recognising, supporting and strengthening the independence of voluntary and community organisations underpins the Compact, the 10-year-old agreement which sets out shared commitments and guidelines for working between government and the voluntary and community sector.
This research study will focus on Compact commitments relating to the independence of the third sector and implementation by central government departments. It will follow a Benchmark scorecard approach and the final analysis will include an independence matrix comparing all the departments.
Eight central government departments are taking part in the research including the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Communities and Local Government (CLG), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Interim findings from the research will be presented at a Sector Independence Day event in London on Friday 4 July 2008, organised by Compact Voice and supported by the Commission for the Compact. This will feature findings from a parallel research study undertaken by Compact Voice, which involved focus groups and a survey with national third sector organisations to look at the role of the Compact in safeguarding independence from the point of view of the third sector.
Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, said:
“Implementation of the Compact is vital to safeguard and strengthen the independence of the third sector and I hope the evidence gathered from this research will help central government departments learn from each other and improve implementation of the Compact in this area.”
John Griffiths, Director of Rocket Science UK Ltd which is carrying out the research study on behalf of the Commission for the Compact, said:
“We are keen to explore how the different departments recognise and support the independence of the third sector, and whether this is applied consistently across government by those involved in framing policy as well as those who commission services from the sector. Comparing our findings with the study by Compact Voice should highlight any gaps between the perception of those working in central government and those in the sector.”
For more information about the Commission for the Compact please visit:
For more information about the Sector Independence Day event in London on Friday 4 July 2008, please contact:
Stefan Simanowitz at Compact Voice.
Tel: 020 7520 2486
Email: stefan.simanowitz@ncvo-vol.org.uk
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 Compact contains clear undertakings relating to the independence of voluntary and community organisations, for example government undertakes to:
Recognise and support the independence of the sector, including its right within the law, to campaign, to comment on Government policy, and to challenge that policy, irrespective of any funding relationship that might exist, and to determine and manage its own affairs.
(The Compact, 9.1)
· The Commission for the Compact has commissioned Rocket Science UK Ltd to undertake this research on its behalf. Founded in 2001, Rocket Science UK Ltd comprises a team of 25 consultants and a network of associates. The company has offices in London, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
http://www.rocketsciencelab.co.uk/
· Sector Independence Day is being run by Compact Voice and the event takes place on Friday 4 July 2008 at London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC), 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA, from 10.30am to 1.30pm (followed by lunch). Free admission. Please book on-line at www.ncvo-consult.org.uk/side
Useful Downloads
PR - Independence Research
Independence Day Powerpoint Presentation
For media enquiries, please contact:
Rebecca Morris, Head of Communications
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5913
Email: rebecca.morris@thecompact.org.uk