News & Blog

Check out this page to find out what we've been up to, hear our honest take on the state of play in commissioning and procurement, and to keep up to date with the latest developments at Candour Collaborations!

Rob Macmillan and James Rees, Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham

We were involved in a successful collaboration with Candour and others, between January and March 2013, to produce the VCS Capacity Building Action Plan for the Ministry of Justice. Candour managed the project and partnership effectively throughout, and we were impressed by their professional and focused approach to this complex consultation and formulation of policy recommendations, most of which were accepted by MoJ.

Business Development Lead, IT company, Yorkshire

We found the support provided worthwhile and productive and Natasha was proficient and enthusiastic. She helped us to assess our position objectively, and getting independent information was useful as it allowed us to understand how our tender processes and responses could be improved

Fiona Sheil, Public Service Delivery Network Officer at NCVO

Working with Mike I was immediately confident of his level of knowledge, ability to draw strong analytical conclusions, and to communicate clearly. This made Candour a perfect partner for our work: I had confidence in their quality and also their honesty and commitment as a partner. Consequently, the process was seamless – and our joint bid successful.

DWP consultation on Work Programme

The Department for Work and Pensions will tomorrow launch its consultation on the development of their 2013 commissioning strategy for welfare-to-work services. It will be seeking views on how to use private, voluntary, community and public sector providers to deliver future services. We were largely pleased with the Ministry of Justice’s recent consultation process into probation reform, and their inclusion of many challenges presented by providers in their ‘A Strategy for Reform’ consultation response. We hope that the welfare-to-work provider base also comes up with constructive, commercial ideas for improving future service provision – and that the DWP listens.

Further Reading

Emily Jolley, Director of ACEVO Solutions

Bidding in partnership with Candour I was impressed by their bid writing skills and thorough understanding of the customer requirements. Mike and Natasha are thoroughly professional and a pleasure to work with.

£150,000 grant for third sector as they bid for rehabilitation contracts

Candour led the development of the Action Plan (see more in Criminal Justice) and we are delighted to be working on the next phase of delivery with ACEVO and NCVO to bring some of our recommendations to life. We want this grant to have a lasting, positive impact by enabling VCSE organisations to make informed decisions about the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms.

In partnership with ACEVO and NCVO, we will deliver 57 workshops across England and Wales, which will be linked to the Transforming Rehabilitation procurement timetable. We’ll update the site with details of the workshops as details are finalised.

Further Reading