The Shropshire Accord is a voluntary agreement aimed at fostering collaboration between local public sector bodies and Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to better serve communities in Shropshire. It establishes shared values, principles and commitments necessary for effective partnerships and service delivery. Rules of engagement are always helpful. Setting out shared values and ways of working leads to mutual understanding and a framework people can refer to and work in line with. The document replaces the previous 'Shropshire Compact' and at a national level links to The Civil Society Covenant.
The Accord is currently on its second draft, following feedback from the VCSE sector, public sector and elected representatives. You can view the first draft here. Please stay posted for further feedback opportunities and the official launch later in 2025.
The Accord covers 15 themes. Each theme has ways of working and principles set out in three sections ‘We will all’; ‘Public sector officers and commissioners will’; and ‘VCS groups and organisations will’. A brief summary of each theme is set out below:
- Independence (and political neutrality)
Both public sector and VCS organisations are encouraged to respect each other's independence, with a commitment to act in the public's best interest. There is a shared commitment to consider other organisations’ positions, constraints, pressures and context in order to secure mutual understanding and avoid imbalances of power and influence.
- Working with Volunteers
The Accord highlights the importance of volunteers, advocating for their recognition and understating of value. It promotes equitable and beneficial volunteering opportunities and emphasises the importance of meeting the needs of volunteers, and provision of appropriate support.
- Equality and Diversity
There is a commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in all projects and services, ensuring representation from diverse communities. The Accord also includes the commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to racism, sexism, ableism or homophobia; the reporting of hate crime; and a shared ambition to understand barriers to inclusion and actively work to dismantle them.
- Impact and Social Value
There is a shared commitment to value the things that matter, working closely with beneficiaries and stakeholders to understand need and how our actions influence change. By focusing on what matters we can best generate social value. The Accord also highlights that whilst
- Information Sharing
The Accord highlights a commitment to share information to best meet the needs of our local communities and to adopt good practice in information governance and security.
- Emerging Needs
There is a recognition of the role the VCS can play in the early identification of need and in responding swiftly to emerging needs. This section references the value of coproduction, co-design and use of needs assessment and strategic plans.
- Place-based Working
The Accord promotes area-based representation whilst acknowledging that sometimes communities are dispersed, and representation can be delivered by representatives who may not be from a local area but support it. VCS groups and organisations covering a wider geography can find engaging in multiple place-based projects a challenge.
- Community Buildings and Assets
There is a commitment to work together to make the best use of public sector and VCS owned premises and land for the benefit of Shropshire’s communities.
- Emergency Preparedness, Planning and Response
Focuses on cross-sector working to plan for and respond in emergency situations. It emphasises the importance of working together to draw on available infrastructure, assets, skills and resources at times of greatest need. It highlights the importance of ensuring crises do not put disadvantaged communities at greater risk.
- System Working, Signposting and Referrals
Both sectors are encouraged to work together to streamline service delivery and reduce barriers for individuals seeking support.
- Commissioning and Grant Funding
Public sector organisations are urged to communicate clearly and fairly when promoting commissioning opportunities and recognise the value of partnership delivery models.
- Decommissioning Well
There is recognition of the potential impact of budget cuts and decommissioning practices, with a commitment to minimize negative effects on VCS organisations and service users.
- Capacity Building and VCS Infrastructure
The Accord promotes the importance of different forms of VCS infrastructure support such as start-up and closure support, trustee training and governance, volunteering brokerage and support, training and skills, representation and research, funding and income generation, back-office support and buildings and assets.
- Partnership and Representation
There is a shared recognition that working in partnership, in many forms, is better for Shropshire’s communities than working in isolation. Shropshire VCS Assembly acts as the main representative body working closely with other local partnerships for the benefit of both sectors. The value of representation arrangements is promoted through the Accord.
- Communication and Engagement
Good practice in communication and engagement is promoted through the accord in order to maximise effective partnership working across sectors.
Implementation and Monitoring
The Shropshire Accord will be monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Theme Ambassadors and working groups may be established to support ongoing implementation and address any challenges encountered. Further implementation information will be available following further engagement on the draft. It is a living document, intended to evolve based on feedback and changing community needs.