voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Draft Fife Employability Pathway Commissioning Framework
Created: 03/02/2014On 23rd January the Opportunities Fife Partnership (OFP) approved a Draft Commissioning Framework for the Fife Employability Pathway (download available at the bottom of this page).
This document aims to provide clarity on an overall strategic framework for commissioning employability services in Fife. At the moment the document focuses mainly on two key funding sources: European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) 2014-20 and Fairer Scotland Funding 2014/15 which between them for the coming year have an estimated value of £2million.
The Framework has evolved from the previously circulated Fairer Scotland Funding Commissioning Guidelines which in itself drew heavily on work undertaken by Professor Alan McGregor in reviewing the current provision in the Fife Employability Pathway. A copy of the executive summary of his report is also available to download below. We strongly recommend you read this as it is a well informed report which will be used to guide funding decisions by OFP going forward.
FVA hosted a third sector provider meeting on 13th January to generate input to this Framework, and again held focussed discussions at the most recent Fife Employability Forum on 29th January.
Whilst this new Framework clearly presents challenges to us as a sector, it is also full of opportunity. It recognises the excellent work done by many third sector employability providers and also the significant contribution that volunteering can and does make in providing meaningful and relevant work experience for many people on benefits.
There is a clear intention to fund fewer, larger projects and therefore an onus on the third sector to work differently and in partnership to ensure that no-one falls through the gaps.
FVA are supporting the sector through this time of change in a number of ways.
At the recent Fife Employability Forum Bruce Penman of Edinburgh’s WEACT highlighted the many legal challenges they faced in establishing the Edinburgh Consortium; from choosing the best legal structure, dealing with TUPE, undertaking due diligence and more – as we are working to tight timeframes we feel there is great advantage in finding out as much as possible about the many possible pitfalls, and how to avoid them.
In February we will be hosting the following workshops on consortium working:
2-4.30pm, Wednesday 12th February 2014, venue tbc –
Understanding the legal structures and context for consortium working with presentations and Q&A with leading Charity Lawyer Alistair Keatinge
2-4.30pm, Wednesday 26th February 2014, FVA Offices, Glenrothes –
Structured discussion on what people can bring to and would want from working in Consortium.
To register to attend please contact Christine Davison
If you cannot attend these events but would like to be involved in conversations then please get in touch and we will support you and your organisation as best we can.