How to build good relationships with the voluntary sector - a new guide for councils

We know that partnership working between the public sector and the voluntary sector is crucial to supporting communities. That's why the Local Government Association (LGA) has just published a Good Practice Guide for councils on working with local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) to engage smaller voluntary sector organisations. Keep reading to find out more about our involvement in the project.

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We were commissioned by the LGA to produce a guide for council officers and elected members. NAVCA members participated in the project to share examples of partnership working across a range of different activities and types of local authority. The guide sets out why working with the sector is beneficial for councils, the importance of creating a culture that values the voluntary sector, and how LIOs can facilitate this to build effective and trusted relationships.

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Smaller voluntary and community sector organisations play a vital role in our local areas, providing support and services that reach deep into communities, often reaching residents that other organisations struggle to. The recent series of crises and challenges that our communities have faced – such as the pandemic, refugee arrivals, and the cost of living crisis – have seen many councils engaging effectively with smaller and grassroots voluntary sector organisations. That partnership working has helped to deliver food packages to vulnerable people during lockdown, to ensure that there is support and a welcome for refugees arriving in communities, or assisted with tailoring cost of living support packages to maximise their impact.

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Outside that crisis response, many councils have excellent working relationships with smaller VCSE organisations. However, sometimes the mismatch of size, resource and knowledge can mean those relationships either don’t form or don’t work as well as they could. Local infrastructure organisations can be an effective bridge between councils and the full ecosystem of VCSE organisations, amplifying voices in the sector, and empowering smaller organisations to work effectively with councils.

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This newly-published good practice guide sets out some simple, practical steps that councils can take to work with infrastructure organisations in order to strengthen and engage effectively with smaller VCSE organisations. It is based on a large number of real-life conversations with councillors, infrastructure and VCSE organisations. The recommendations are underpinned by some inspiring case studies of how strong relationships based on trust and partnership working have delivered real benefits for communities across England.

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In the guide, we highlight six key aspects of good practice, and the guide is brought to life through seven case studies that cover:

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- Reaching and engaging with communities furthest from council services

- Building the capacity of VCFSE organisations to deliver activities and services for local residents

- Offering flexibility and agility to respond to crisis situations

- Meeting the needs of minoritised communities.

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Through holding workshops, we gathered specific information on culture, practice, mechanisms and barriers to partnership working. The project was overseen by a steering group comprising three local councillors, representatives from small VCFSE organisations in receipt of council funding, LIOs and other partner organisations. The seven case studies featured demonstrate how local councils can benefit from engagement with small VCFSE organisations facilitated by LIOs, with significant ultimate benefits for residents and communities. They reflect some of the more difficult challenges that councils face reaching those furthest from council services.

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Thank you to NAVCA members Action Together, Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service, Community VISION, Cumbria CVS, Hackney CVS , Community Action Suffolk and Sandwell CVO for their contributions to this project.

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You can read the full guide here.