CYP Now - Analysis: Charities - Wising up to the contract culture

The Government is exploring the idea of voluntary organisations bidding against private companies to run more public services. Daniel Martin looks at what changes are needed to give charities a greater chance of winning the business. "Let the voluntary sector deliver more children's services." It is a proposal that looks fine on the surface but becomes more difficult when you look at the details.

Last week, Alan Milburn, former health secretary and key ally of Prime Minister Tony Blair, flew the flag for the forthcoming Labour election manifesto by calling on Government and councils to institute a "level playing field" to ensure the voluntary sector had the same chance of winning contract bids as the private sector.

Children's minister Margaret Hodge chimed in too. Last week she said she was keen to see the voluntary sector playing a bigger role in the provision of services under children's trusts, pledging local agreements and ring-fenced funding to protect the sector's involvement in them.

"Early intervention, identification, prevention and services built around the needs of the child is music to the ears of the voluntary sector, which is more sensitive to users' needs," she said. "But if it is to become a bigger player it will need stronger outcomes and greater accountability."

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