We are the voice of the voluntary sector on the Compact — an agreement between the sector and the Government to ensure better working together. We provide training and resources, and represent the sector's concerns to the government.

Home » About » Get involved » Priority Areas Programme

Apply now for our new Priority Areas Programme

› Apply now to improve Compact working in your area

Following a successful pilot scheme in 2009, Compact Voice has launched a new national Priority Areas Programme. This programme provides free tailored support over a six-month period from Compact Voice staff, to help you implement your Local Compact.

Recognising that certain areas may need specific advice and assistance in using and promoting their Local Compact, and the successful pilots in Thurrock, Slough and Shropshire in 2009, applications are now open. However, after recent discussions with our members about funding cuts, the big society and the new governments attitude to the Compact we have decided to focus our support on the short term and will be delaying the start of the Priority Areas Programme temporarily. We anticipate the programme will begin again in April 2011 and encourage any area in England to apply.

JUMP TO: How does it work ¦ Priority Areas Evaluation Template ¦ Apply now ¦ Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that while the programme is not expected to begin until April 2011, applications will remain open and we encourage any and all areas in England to apply.

How does it work?
The programme will cover all 9 regions, and.will help better develop better Compact working across a range of good, average and poorly performing Compacts. Areas can take part whether their Compact is stuck on the shelf or has a Compact Voice green flag. If your area is selected to join the programme, the support will be delivered by one of our staff based on discussions they’ll have with you and your local partners. Approximately five (non-consecutive) days support will be given over 6 months, to supplement work by local partners.

This can include: speaking at events and recruiting champions; delivering champions training; attending meetings (LSP, Compact group etc); telephone support; helping you use our tools or develop your own; master classes (such as on action planning); twinning or links with regional leaders; generating Compact Voice website input (stories, examples, quotes). Progress is measured throughout the programme by improvement in the areas of Champions, Engagement, Good Practice, Spreading and Impact, measured against the Priority Areas Programme Template:

Indicators/levels	1	2	3	4	5
(a) Champions	None or few	Sufficient recruited in sector & public bodies	Trained and ready to go	Supported and active	Networked, regularly briefed and playing an increasingly effective role
(b) Engagement	Little knowledge & skills on how to engage	Training delivered & issues addressed by partners	Sector well positioned, skilled, led & supported to engage productively	Involvement in policy and processes boosted in quality and quantity	All parts of the voluntary sector engaging effectively including small, BME and faith groups
(c) Good practice	Little exists or is being developed & Compact breaches may be a concern	Partners committed to following Compact principles & developing good practice	Partners improving their compliance & logging good practice	Compact proofing of decisions; high compliance; effective disputes process	Ongoing development with good use of tools & effective learning shared with other areas
(d) Spreading	Low awareness, knowledge and use of Compact & working together	Effective promotional initiatives taken (events, coms, etc)	More opportunities taken by more people for better working together	Better outcomes from Compact working across sector & public bodies	Compact wins growing and well publicised locally; case studies on Compact Voice website
(e) Impact	Compact on the shelf	All partners recognise Compact’s value and support it being implemented at all levels	Compact Group delivering action plan that links with key strategies & processes	Partners working successfully towards full potential of Compact	Compact making significant difference to policy development, equalities, resource allocation and outcomes

Indicators
(a) Champions recruited, trained and feel supported
(b) Sector better positioned and skilled to engage productively with public bodies
(c) Good practice developed, tools used, piloted or developed effectively
(d) Spreading Compact working and new people brought into the Compact
including stories, case exemplars shared locally and on the Compact Voice website.
(e) Impact (Compact making a difference to policy processes & outcomes)

How do I apply?
Read the Evaluation Template - it is key to setting what you will seek to achieve and then to compare against to determine how far you have come.

Please note that while the programme is not expected to begin until April 2011, applications will remain open and we encourage any and all areas in England to apply.

Apply now!

If you still have questions, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions or contact compact@compactvoice.org.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?

A programme delivering free tailored support from Compact Voice to boost your Compact implementation.

Who is it for?

Local partners in specific areas. So do talk with them now if you want to apply!

Why do it?

Support from Compact Voice will help make for improved Compact working so that local partners deliver better outcomes.

Which areas can join the programme?

Any committed area selected by Compact Voice can participate. The programme will cover all 9 regions. It will cover a mix of good, average and poorly performing Compacts. Areas can take part whether their Compact is stuck on the shelf or has a Compact Voice green flag. For Compact Voice, this is about improving the local.

What support do we offer?

Five days support will usually be given over 6 months, to supplement work by local partners. This can include: speaking at events and recruiting champions; delivering champions training; attending meetings (LSP, Compact group etc); telephone support; helping you use our tools or develop your own; master classes (such as on action planning); twinning or links with regional leaders; generating Compact Voice website input (stories, examples, quotes).

How is this support decided and delivered?

The content of the support to be delivered by one of our staff will be based on discussions they will have with you and your partners if your area is selected to join the programme.

What are the key dates?

Please note that while the programme is not expected to begin until April 2011, applications will remain open and we encourage any and all areas in England to apply.

How do we know it works?

A pilot programme was run with Slough, Shropshire and Thurrock that started in 2009. Our evaluation confirms there is a need and demand for more intensive support and that this has proved successful. The programme is geared to achieving progress that is measured against a dedicated evaluation template.

How will the support be scoped and evaluated?

Read the Evaluation Template - it is key to setting what you will seek to achieve and then to compare this against how far you have got. The agreement between Compact Voice and local partners will include where you are starting from and what level you aspire to reach on 5 levels of attainment.

How much does it cost?

It’s free!

How do we apply?

Use the on-line application form