Skip to content

High contrast

Conservative’s vision for voluntary action addresses key issues facing the sector says Pre-school Learning Alliance

NEWS RELEASE

4 June 2008

Conservative’s vision for voluntary action addresses key issues facing the sector says Pre-school Learning Alliance

Responding to the Conservatives' green paper, Voluntary action in the 21st century published yesterday, Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the largest voluntary provider of childcare in England said,

"The Conservative's vision for the voluntary sector is heartening. We are pleased to see that many of the pressing issues facing organisations striving to deliver vital community services are addressed in this paper.

As a major provider delivering contracts in partnership with local authorities throughout England, the Alliance is acutely aware of the challenges of running voluntary services in the current climate. Like so many voluntary sector providers, we struggle to obtain the full costs of delivering services, meaning that we are in effect subsidising the state. We also have first hand experience of the difficulties presented by inconsistent commissioning practices. Furthermore, the lack of level playing field means the maintained sector enjoys benefits that all providers should experience. We would assert that best value can only be judged if the imbalance is rectified.

There is much in this document to welcome. The Alliance is particularly pleased to read the proposed systematic reform of commissioning structures to modernise full cost recovery. We also support the proposals to upgrade and enforce the Compact, the main agreement on the relationship between the voluntary sector and state, which is currently viewed as an empty promise and is not adhered to by central or local government. We also support the Conservatives' proposals to punish breaches of key principles and develop a Compact Gold Standard as a preventative measure.

Voluntary sector delivery of public services in partnership with central and local government is overall a good thing. However, voluntary sector organisations have their own distinct identities, cultures and histories. More often than not they are rooted in their local communities and are uniquely placed to reach people that statutory bodies cannot. This position needs to be recognised, and organisations enabled so that they can continue to provide their much-needed and highly regarded services."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Kate Summerside
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2504
Out of hours press calls: 07956 499621
E: Kate Summerside

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
1