Resolving issues

The Commission for the Compact is independent from both government and the voluntary and community sector. Its role is to be objective and maintain a balanced overview of statutory and voluntary sector relationships. This includes publishing findings on specific issues affecting both sectors and making recommendations to improvement.

It is not an Ombudsman but aims to identify lessons from individual breaches of the Compact, including those taken up by the Compact Advocacy Programme. It cannot take up individual cases but may intervene when issues potentially have a predominantly negative outcome on voluntary and community organisations in particular.

Further information

Compact Advocacy Programme is run by NCVO; it is a scheme that provides practical support and wider campaigning to the sector in cases where Government has breached the Compact. View case studies here.

Compact Mediation Scheme applies to disputes relating to the Compact. Its scope includes central Government departments, their executive agencies, Government Offices for the Regions and all voluntary and community sector organisations.

Local Government Ombudsman investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. They investigate complaints about most council matters including housing, planning, education and social services.

Public Law Project (PLP) is an independent, national legal charity which aims to improve access to public law remedies. PLP have worked closely with, Compact Advocacy on the Compact as there are overlaps between the Compact and public law principles.