Public social partnership welcomed

A new approach to public service delivery has been confirmed in the award of a contract to create 10 Public-Social Partnerships (PSPs) involving social enterprises and voluntary organisations over the next two years.

A consortium of social enterprise, Forth Sector and consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will identify and then develop PSPs which provide co-planning of services to local communities.

PSPs comprise three stages:

• Third Sector organisations work with public sector purchasers to design a service
• A consortia of third sector organisations combine in a short-term pilot, helping to refine service delivery
• The service is further developed to maximise community benefit before being competitively tendered

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said:

“The Scottish Government recognises the valuable role that social enterprises and voluntary organisations play in the delivery of public services.

“They have a proven ability to innovate, and experience of delivering a wide range of services, including working with disadvantaged groups.

“That’s why the Scottish Government has given particular consideration to the potential for added value through PSP.

“I am sure these projects, once up and running will enrich communities offering much needed services.”

Mike Greig, Partner for Devolved and Local Government, who heads up PricewaterhouseCoopers’ consulting practice in Scotland, said: 

"We are delighted to partner with the Scottish Government and Forth Sector to deliver this important project.

“The Public-Social Partnership model has great potential to benefit the third sector and the public sector in Scotland, and to improve outcomes for service users, clients and communities. 

“PricewaterhouseCoopers in Scotland is committed to supporting public and third sectors in more effective and efficient delivery of services, particularly in these difficult economic times, and this project provides a great example of this commitment."

Mike Finlayson Chief Executive of Forth Sector said

“Working with PricewaterhouseCoopers on this assignment is a good example of partnership working between two organisations in different sectors.

“In the new economic landscape we now find ourselves in, effective partnerships will be essential if we are to make the best use of finite resources.

“Effective partnerships rely on mutual respect of the strengths and skills each partner brings.”

Contact details
Email: Lynn Hunter
Tel: +44 (0)141 355 4015