Delivering services through voluntary sector
consortiaMary Nisbett, CEO, and Matthew Byrne, Head of
Carers Services, Westbank
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Introduction
• Westbank – why do we work in consortia?
• Two examples of innovative Voluntary Sector consortia:– South West Wellbeing.– Carers+ – what are the benefits – for
providers and commissioners – and what are the challenges?
• Voluntary Sector consortia – making us all fit for the future?
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Westbank
• Our aim is to provide care and promote health:– Volunteering.– Carers support.– Services for older people.– Services for children and families.– Health and Wellbeing.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Why work in consortia?
• Commissioners need to be able to reduce numbers of providers/contracts.
• Providers need to be able to offer wider coverage and range of services.
• Increased competition from larger/ national organisations.
• Brings larger contracts to front- line deliverers.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
South West Wellbeing
• £3.9 million BIG Lottery Programme.• Group of independent organisations
working within locally defined areas.
• Targets around healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health.
• Portfolio approach.• Seedcorn commissioning.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
UWE Evaluation
• Independent evaluation of SW Wellbeing by the University of the West of England:– All targets exceeded.– Significant improvements in all target
groups.– Low overheads.– Prompt front-line delivery.– Well managed quality assurance.– Role of the lead organisation.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Carers+ services for carers
• Devon County Council/NHS Devon have one ‘Devon Carers Link’ contract :– The consortium members deliver some
local and countywide services.– A wide range of other providers
operate under sub-contract or grant arrangements.
– Carers+ accounts for monitoring and delivery of all outputs/outcomes.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Benefits for providers
• Smaller VCS organisations which might otherwise have struggled can continue to deliver front-line, local services.
• Each partner can focus on what it does best within an integrated whole.
• Diverse organisations work together as equals (increasing sustainability).
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Benefits for commissioners
• One contract has replaced many.• Clearer (and simpler) monitoring
and lines of accountability.• Better data and ‘strategic
intelligence’.• Some of the ‘difficult’ things are
no longer their problem.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
What are the challenges?
• Ensuring (legal) relationships and liabilities are clear.
• Integrating user/carer-involvement with governance structures.
• Getting used to working together … this has helped make us fit for the future.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Are we fit for the future?
• We are involved in a number of other consortia (advocacy, FUSION, mentoring,).
• We have secured additional work and developed new income streams.
• We expect and look forward to continuing to work in consortia.
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
Thanks for listening!
Any questions?
Devon Carers Link, a service managed by Carers+,a consortium of East Devon CVS, Exeter CVS and
Westbank.
