Scotland’s membership body for the voluntary sector has set out “important early steps” for the Scottish government to develop a relationship with charities.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Action said the involvement of John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, would be critical to delivering positive change for voluntary actions across the country.
This follows members of the Scottish Parliament last month voting in favour of the government’s plans for a formal partnership with the voluntary sector.
The Scottish government in February pledged to co-design an agreement with the voluntary sector to “strengthen its voice” and protect its independence with fairer funding.
The SCVO said this week that Anna Fowlie, its chief executive, had written to Swinney and Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scotland’s social justice secretary, setting out proposals for developing a new relationship between the government and voluntary sector.
“[The SCVO believes] there are a number of important early steps the Scottish government should take to establish a strong foundation for partnership,” the membership body said.
Clear leadership from the central government, meaningful engagement with the voluntary sector on partnership design, a roadmap for delivery, appropriate resourcing, and robust mechanisms for accountability and review are key to establishing a strong relationship, the SCVO said.
The membership body this week published a report laying out five core principles that are essential for a successful partnership.
The partnership should be underpinned in statute, accountable for delivery across all public bodies, outcomes-focused, protective of the sector’s independence and aligned with fair funding principles, the SCVO said.
“Voluntary organisations are at the heart of Scotland’s response to the biggest challenges we face – challenges that require effective partnership between the public and voluntary sectors,” Fowlie said in a letter to Swinney.
“We welcome the Scottish government’s commitment to a third sector partnership, and the impetus shown in progressing this agenda so soon after the Scottish Parliament election.
“The paper draws on the evidence base on effective partnership working, including our own engagement with the voluntary sector as well as drawing on insights from partnership frameworks in place elsewhere in the UK.
“As the paper argues, leadership from the centre of government will be essential.”
Fowlie said a “partnership of this significance” cannot be delivered by one team or portfolio alone.
“It must be understood, supported and implemented consistently across all government departments and agencies,” she said.
“For that reason, we believe that your leadership and support will be critical to ensuring that the third sector partnership delivers lasting change, across the whole of government.”
The SCVO welcomed the commitment the government had made, Fowlie said.
“[We] look forward to working constructively with you, the cabinet secretary for social justice, your ministers and officials to develop a partnership that delivers for the voluntary sector, for your government and, most important of all, for people and communities across Scotland,” she said.