National Support Services
The national support service programme is primarily about "supporting the supporters"
Background
When Capacitybuilders launched in April 2006, it inherited six strategically themed national 'Hubs'.
In 2006, the Capacitybuilders’ board commissioned an independent review of the Hubs which made clear recommendations for a stronger focus on users, achieving change and direct commissioning of national services.
Following the review and consultation with the sector, the new three year National Support Service programme was announced. It replaces funding for the six national hubs, and it aims to:
- streamline and simplify the programme
- meet needs and demand, with a clear focus on users
- deliver lasting change in the way support services are delivered
- enable innovation
- connect with local and regional programmes
- provide opportunities for a broader range of providers to benefit from the programme
- make best use of reduced resources.
National support service workstreams
The National Support Service workstreams are based on consultation and assessment about where support services will need to improve to meet the changing needs of the third sector.
The level, priorities and pattern of activity in each workstream will vary, reflecting both current gaps in provision and how developed current support services are in this area.
The nine priority areas are:
- Performance management
- Income generation
- Equalities and diversity
- Modernising volunteering
- Collaboration and partnership
- Responding to social change
- Marketing and communications
- Campaigning and advocacy
- Leadership and governance
To find out more about the nine workstreams, please visit the Improving Support website or download the Improving Support information leaflet.
Programme outcomes and activities
The main outcome against which we will seek to measure the success of the programme is that sector support services are more skilled and effective in delivering support relevant to the current and future needs of, and demands on, diverse frontline third sector organisations.
This is likely to be achieved through a combination of activities, including:
- resources aimed both towards support providers and frontline organisations that meet evidenced gaps in information and advice
- development programmes for support providers, improving the skills and responsiveness of those advising and supporting frontline organisations
- raising the profile of obstacles or changes to the policy environment that could assist frontline organisations.
How does it work?
Each workstream is being delivered by a partnership that combines the expertise and knowledge of a range of support agencies.
Funding commitment
£4.6 million per year has been committed to national support service investment in the three year period 2008/11.
Further information
To find out more about the background to the review of the national support services and the work carried out to date, please click on the links below:
