Examining local commissioning accreditation schemes for the voluntary and community sector in the UK: A view from the field

Following on from the principles of the cross-cutting review of the role of the voluntary sector in service delivery by HM Treasury (2202), local infrastructure organisations are increasingly developing accreditation 'kite marks' for voluntary sector providers of public services in their local area. A new development in markets for public service, these are intended to highlight the distinctive contribution voluntary organisations can make to service provision by recognising good practice and improving the reputation of voluntary sector providers with local funders. At the same time, they are meant to reduce bureaucracy and the burden of monitoring for accredited organisations. Our paper discusses some of the issues of implementation of such schemes. Drawing on direct experience of accreditation practice, we highlight areas of innovative work. We also raise a number of questions that persist around the implementation of these schemes in an attempt to prompt further discussion.