Plan of the report

As a large-scale, long-running project, Third Sector Trends is in the unique position to look at partnership in its social context and can track changes in practices. To do that successfully, it is vital to recognise that the strength and depth of partnerships vary. In this report, the following aspects of collaborative working will be explored:

◼ Partnership working within the third sector: in this section of the report, distinctions will be drawn between informal and formal partnership working so as to make an assessment of the changing nature of relationships. Crucially, the analysis will extend to those voluntary organisations which choose not to enter into partnership working to find out why working entirely independently is a more attractive option for some TSOs.

◼ Relationships with the private sector: in the previous decade, there was much debate in policy circles about the positive contribution business could make to social wellbeing by working with the third sector. That enthusiasm seems to be on the wane and this section of the report will consider how economic conditions since the pandemic have impacted upon inter-sector relationships.

◼ Working with and for the public sector: this section will assess how voluntary organisations seek to influence local social and public policy through participation in consultations, campaigning and lobbying. Secondly, it will explore whether the quality of TSOs’ relationships with the local public sector have changed over the years – and how current devolution policies may be affecting such views. Finally, the analysis will assess whether third sector interest in and commitment to working in formal contractual relationships to deliver services for the local public sector is strengthening as government hopes.

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