The voluntary sector
Increasing the role of voluntary organisations in the delivery of public services should not be seen as an end in itself, a new report cautions.
Published on Tuesday by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the study welcomes the current extension of the role played by the 'third sector'.
Ministers are encouraging a greater role in public services for charities and other community bodies as they push for greater diversity of provision.
The Conservatives have backed similar moves, seeing the voluntary sector as a way to offer the public more choice in the services they receive.
"Voluntary and community organisations do play an important role in public service delivery, but it should be viewed as a means of meeting their objectives, not as an end in its self," says NCVO chief executive Stuart Etherington.
"An increased role offers voluntary organisations an excellent opportunity to reach more of the individuals and communities they exist to support.
"But the delivery of public services is only one aspect of the sector's function in society, and should be pursued alongside other activities like advocacy and campaigning."
Stakeholder Response: The Disabilities Trust
"Today's report from the NCVO is a timely and welcome contribution to the debate about the role of the voluntary sector in the
"As the report points out delivering public services could become an end in itself which might place voluntary sector organisations in a compromised position in which they are too focussed on chasing contracts or guaranteeing a healthy financial surplus.
"In addition, delivering services in partnership with the statutory sector or government might make it more difficult for charities should they wish to take a controversial stance on a particular issue or criticise government policy.
"The Disabilities Trust is not however itself a campaigning charity, our goal is service provision. As such we do not feel that entering into contracts with the statutory sector will create substantial difficulties for us.
"We believe we can maintain our integrity, ensure our values are right for meeting the needs of people with profound and complex disabilities and deliver services to a standard that the wider public and service users would expect and demand of a charitable organisation. We also believe that taking on contracts does not in itself jeopardise our independence or our ability to raise difficult issues that affect our service provision."
Stakeholder Response: Voice UK
Kathryn Stone, director of Voice UK, told ePolitix.com: "Voluntary organisations have a enormous wealth of knowledge, skill and experience which can enhance and complement statutory services.
"Voluntary organisations must also work hard to maintain their independence to campaign for improvements on behalf of their stakeholders."
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