voluntary sector

The Outdoors - A Natural Place for Young People with Autism, End of Project Report

This End of Project Report describes an innovative Transition to Work Programme for young people with autistic spectrum diagnoses and is the result of a pilot programme developed by Lothian Autistic Society (LAS) and Scottish Outdoor Education Centres (SOEC) and made possible through funding from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The pilot had the twin aims of developing employability skills and exploring the therapeutic value of the outdoors. 

Community and voluntary services in the age of austerity

Report that lays bare the impact of austerity on services provided by the community and voluntary sector and on the workers for whom providing a service is not just a job, but part of a deep personal commitment to the people they support.

It is a wake-up call for politicians and society at large that workers in the community sector are approaching crisis point, and it is time to take notice.

Clarity, communication and reciprocity: key ingredients for productive relationships with voluntary and community sector organisations in the new health and social care commissioning environment

Paper that draws on the findings of an evaluation of a pilot project commissioned by Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG to support the development of productive relationships between the voluntary sector, the CCG and General Practitioners (GPs).

The project was initiated at an early stage in the development of the CCG, four months prior to the new arrangements 'going live' in April 2013.

Volunteering in health and care: securing a sustainable future

Report based on qualitative research involving focus groups with volunteers and patients, in-depth interviews with commissioners and providers of health and social care services, and a scenario analysis conducted with a workshop of invited experts. It also draws on a review of published evidence and benefited from the insights of an external advisory group.

Open public services: experiences from the voluntary sector

The first part of this report shares the experiences of voluntary organisations, and one local authority, involved in the transformation of public services. There are some learning points from the Work Programme and Community Budgets but its main focus is on sharing best practice and innovation. This includes coproduction in commissioning, large and small organisations working in consortia, and the use of open-data to increase accountability.

Leading the way: the distinctive contribution of the not-for-profit sector in social care (Paper 1: people)

One of three related papers which explore the distinctive contribution which the not-for-profit sector makes to social care. It explores the importance of an effective and committed workforce in delivering good quality care, and shows how the not-for-profit sector is leading the way in developing sustainable policy and best practice.