2. What is the Compact?
• Agreement between government and
the voluntary and community sector
• Sets out principles and commitments
for both the voluntary sector and
government
• Applies only to England
• Based on engagement with
government and the voluntary sector
3. Brief History of the Compact
• First published in 1998, based on
recommendations set out in a report
from the Deakin Commission into
relationships between sectors.
• Initially accompanied by five
Compact codes
• Local Compacts introduced in 2000
• Compact refreshed in 2009 –
consolidated codes into one
document
• In 2010, change in government
announced renewal of the Compact
• December 2010 – renewed Compact
launched
4. Who is signed up to the Compact?
• The Compact is signed by the Prime
Minister, Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister for Civil Society representing
government
• It is signed by Simon Blake OBE on
behalf of the voluntary and community
sector
• Every government department is
signed up to following the principles of
the Compact
• The Compact extends to all
organisations distributing funds on the
government’s behalf – including
NDPBs and prime/sub contractors
• The Compact applies when
distributing EU funding
5. Compact Voice
• Small team
• Membership organisation – over
3000 members
• Representative board
• Provides training and support for
Compacts both locally and
nationally
• Shares examples of good practice
• Annual comprehensive
membership survey
• Organises and promotes Compact
Week and Awards
6. What does the Compact say?
• Covers a number of key topics:
• Independence and the right to
campaign
• Consulting with the VCS when
developing policies
• Supporting the VCS to deliver
projects and services
• Understanding the impact of
changes to funding and other
forms of support
• Protecting and considering
disadvantaged groups
7. How is the Compact supported?
• Since renewed government introduced
in 2010, central government has
strengthened its use in a variety of
ways:
• Voluntary agreement but government
departments are expected to follow it
• National Audit Office report into
compliance and implementation - NAO’s
findings highlighted high levels of
support in government
• Included in department business plans
• Supported through other policies – Best
Value Guidance, JSNA guidance
• Ombudsmen can investigate and
enforce
• Referenced in various policy documents
8. Local Compacts
• 164 active local Compacts across
England
• 96% of local authorities in England
are signed up to a local Compact
• Use similar principles to National
Compact
• High levels of support for local
Compacts
• Local Compact groups support local
partnerships
• Government priorities around
localism – key role for local groups
9. Health organisations
• 86% of local VCS organisations believe
the Health and Social Care Act is
relevant to their organisation
• 65% of VCS respondents believe that
“the new health landscape is likely to
include the VCS in decisions that inform
and influence the health agenda”
• A third of local Compact groups are
involved in CCG, Local Healthwatch, or
Health and Wellbeing boards
Results taken from Compact Voice’s 2013
survey of local Compact areas
10. How Compact Voice supports local
Compact groups
• Priority Areas Programme
• Case studies
• Contact details for local
Compacts
• Briefings and guidance
• Training and speaking
• Compact Week and
Awards
• Annual local Compact
survey
11. How health organisations can use their
local Compact
• Work strategically within
the VCS
• Reassert local Compact
principles as the basis for
good practice engagement
and commissioning
• Foster relationships with
key people in health and
social care
• Use the Compact where
there is poor or damaging
practice
• Work with the VCS to
improve their offer to
statutory partners
