Working together to deliver results
Tony WilsonPolicy Director
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
Context
Changing marketplace:• From eight lead contractors to three• At least as many sub-contractors under the bonnet...• And could be more: Leads will need to offer support
for longer, to wider range of people, across NI
Changing contracts:• Greater focus on performance/ financial/ risk
management
Implications...
• Different relationship between DEL and leads; leads and subs – the vertical links
• Different relationships between providers?Horizontal links. In particular:
• More scope for testing, learning, adapting?
• New ways of working – technical needs
• Provider voice?
Joining up horizontally...
By geography – e.g.:• City Strategy Pathfinders (2005-2010):
• Clear local strategy/ planning/ leadership• Facilitated networks• ... of course relied on some funding
By specialism – e.g.:• ERSA sub-groups:
• Virtual and real networks• Self-organised by industry... of course member benefit
• Sponsored networks, e,g. NEON (2009-11):• Virtual and real, funded by Government
And cutting across these, events like today’s
Test, learn, adapt – more effective
• We know broadly what works...
• ... And you will know as well/ better than me
• Loads of UK research, even more internationally – via OECD, IZA, World Bank, others
• At least: how best to use, share, learn from what we think we know so far?
• At most: can we aspire to sharing learning across Steps 2 Success..? Possibly not at first...
Technical/ professional needs – more effecientGreat 2008 report by “Third Sector Task Force”:
• Providers need professional expertise in:• Contract negotiation• Managing financial risk• New performance management systems
• Providers need to work together and share expertise
• Proposed specialist mentors, common standards
What scope, lessons can learn for NI?
Provider voice – more powerful
• ERSA – and equivalents in US, Australia
• “T2 Connect”
• Sub-contractors’ forum (to come)
Feasibility study recommended Code of Conduct, some standardisation of terms.
• But how ensure strong voice?
An example from Steps to Work
Springvale Learning
Partnership Working
Springvale Learning
1992- 2012
First Community Employment and Training Facility
Delivering
Employment Related Services
Springvale Learning
Partnering:Local Community OrganisationsVoluntary Specialist GroupsPrivate ProvidersEmployersPublic Sector Bodies
Models of Managing Supply Chain
1. Lead Contractor of Consortium 33 members
2. Lead Contractor of Supply Chain 20 members
Contract Delivery
Selection of Providers to achieve
Contract AimsContract TargetsContract Supply
Contract Delivery
“The strategic leadership provided by Springvale as Lead Contractor of the West
Belfast contract area is very good”
ETI Inspection 2009
Management of Supply Chain
Subcontractors:Expectations Clear Service level ContractProvision and volumeQuality Assurance
Management of Supply Chain
Subcontractors:Communication Subcontractors Monthly MeetingsOne to one Subcontractor meetings
“There is effective communication and outstanding relationships between the Lead Contractor and the sub-
contractors. “ ETI Inspection 2011
Management of Supply Chain
Subcontractors:Administration SystemFinancial SystemSharing up to date informationPerformance data
Management of Supply Chain
Subcontractors:Good practice forums
AssessmentPolicies and ProceduresDelivery techniquesJobsearch materialsSelf Evaluation Training
Springvale Learning
Comments /Questions
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