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The National Picture
The National Compact (this link will open in a new
window) is an agreement between the voluntary and community sector
and the government to improve their relationship for mutual
advantage.
It commits both sides to a set of principles and seeks to ensure
that voluntary and community activity is supported and
encouraged.
Below are some of the key principles included in the
compact:
- voluntary action is an essential component of a democratic
society
- an independent and diverse voluntary and community sector is
fundamental to the wellbeing of society
- there is added value in working in partnership towards common
aims and objectives and the need for integrity, objectivity,
honesty and leadership is essential
- the government plays a significant role, among other things, as
a funder of some voluntary and community organisations.
National Compact Codes of
Practice
The compact also includes five codes of good practice:
The Local Picture
The publication Local Compact Guidelines: Getting Local
Relationships Right Together (2000) encouraged local areas to
create their own local compacts.
While the National Compact sets a general reference framework,
local compacts created between the local statutory organisations
and the voluntary and community sector reflect the needs and ethos
of each particular district, borough, county or other geographical
area. Read the
Kent
Compact.
Compact Plus: Next steps
The Home Office has launched plans to strengthen the compact
with
Compact
Plus.
Voluntary and community organisations nationally and locally
were asked to build on the work and time given to the compact since
its introduction in 1998 and influence its future through national
consultation.
Proposals include a short set of commitments which public sector
bodies and voluntary and community sector organisations can opt
into, and a Compact Champion who would support organisations in
realising those commitments and adjudicate on disagreements. The
proposals also invite comments on the potential of a kitemark or
accreditation scheme to cover the compact.
The Next Steps consultation closed on 12 July
2005. |