Public service delivery workshops announced

The government’s workshops to help VCSE organisations win and deliver public service contracts are now open for registration.

Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises are being invited by the Cabinet Office to sign up for places on the year-long programme of two day masterclasses, designed to help develop commercial skills for delivering public services.

The classes are designed and provided by a cross-sector partnership of Acevo, Avanta, Capita, Ingeus, Navca, NCVO, Serco and Social Enterprise UK, and are the first in a national programme funded by the Office for Civil Society. Pro-bono support has come from the private sector partners.

Sessions will incorporate case studies, practical tools and the direct experiences of experts to guide organisations through what is required to win and deliver public service contracts.
 
Specific areas in which they aim to improve key skills include writing winning bids; adjusting to changes in the tender process; developing consortia, and financial skills such as how to profile and manage risks.

In December 2012, the Cabinet Office published a progress update, Making it easier for civil society organisations to work with the state, which outlined government initiatives such as Big Society Capital and the Social Outcomes Fund. These masterclasses follow on from its Commissioning Academy, set up to help commissioners work with voluntary sector groups.

The first events will be held in London and Manchester with further classes taking place regionally from March 2013, full details of which will be announced shortly.

For further information and to book a place visit http://knowhownonprofit.org/funding/service/commercial-masterclasses/event-listing.