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 The voice of third sector leaders, united in common concern can be a powerful challenge.
As a result of some initial research CO3 commissioned some research in the autumn of 2009 to consider its future public affairs role. The report of this work was presented to CO3 Corporate Planning workshop and CO3 AGM in March 2010. CO3 has proposed the following approach subject to members' agreement.
1. CO3 will not adopt a policy and public affairs team nor undertake the public affairs work of its members.
2. CO3 will mobilise its members to promote the sector and help members to establish a role in influencing and developing policy at the formative stages.
3. There was sufficient interest amongst members who wanted to adopt some collective public affairs work on a small number of distinctive and common issues, which third sector leaders in Northern Ireland would determine. CO3 would coordinate the voice of its members on these key issues. Members were also mindful that leadership in this sector is 'political' and CO3 can assist skills development through this collective work.
4. CO3 is currently consulting with members to identify what they think are the priority issues to focus on over the next period to the end of 2011. We would expect a number of members to raise or agree an issue before we would adopt any approach to this issue. We also have limited staff capacity in this area and we will be working in a way which allows for the key involvement of members.
Suggested Areas of Public Affairs Work
A. CO3 is currently collecting stories from its members which demonstrate how the sector provides innovative services in response to clear need by way of early intervention and cost effective solutions in public sector delivery. Can you tell us which services your organisation is providing to the people it serves which offer creative, efficient solutions to need and could be used to demonstrate the role played by our sector in efficient, effective, creative service delivery? Please tell us if you have gathered evidence of impact particularly in relation to economic and social capital. The information we gather will form part of our response to government. We hope to be able to share our findings with members when collated.Please email
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with your story
B. Seeking an opportunity for wider engagement by third sector leaders in planning and commissioning.
C. Undertaking a programme that creates a system which allows for sectoral accountability, but which reduces multiple levels of audit and bureaucracy.
D. Working with sector colleagues on the sector's positioning with the Assembly and political parties.
If you would like to discuss this please contact Majella on
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or telephone 02890245356 Please find attached here the summary report of the Public Affairs Research.
Opportunities to Represent the Sector CO3, as the association of third sector leaders is often asked to provide representatives to important working groups or advisory groups, which are chosen through open selection. Currently members are represented on Skills for Care and Development, The Reform of Social Work, Central Personal Social Services Advisory Committee, the NI Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership for Social Work (NIPQETP), Confidence in Care Programme and the Western Health and Social Services Board Regional Adult Protection Forum. Consultation with our Members CO3 has run a number of CO3 member consultation events in relations to areas of interest such as the Review of Public Administration the reform on Health and Social Care and the introduction of the new Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
If you would like to Consult with CO3 members on an issue then feel free to contact CO3 to discuss further. CO3 and Government The home of the third sector is within DSD. CO3 wishes to see DSD champion the role of the third sector and it's contribution to civil society. CO3 endeavours at all times to support the DSD in doing this building a strong, and vibrant Third Sector by helping to develop strong leadership in the Sector |
Public Affairs