On Thursday 26th March, CEIS events team were in Edinburgh for the Ready for Business event highlighting progress made in opening public sector markets to third sector organisations. This area of work now has some great case examples of Public Social Partnerships (PSP’s) and community benefit clauses. The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act is further emphasising the role of third sector organisations in delivering public services.

The event attracted over 80 delegates across the Scottish Public Sector who gathered to hear from keynote speaker Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Communities and Pensioners’ Rights.

Mr. Neil described Scottish Government support for third sector involvement in commissioning and procurement and the PSP model. The Minister stated the Scottish Government recognised the role the Third Sector played in delivering services and reiterated the government’s commitment to “massively expand the sector”. He appealed to the Public Sector audience to engage with social enterprise describing the impacts these organisations can make to the communities and individuals they support and also our wider society.

Public Social Partnerships at work

The event concluded with presentations on the progress of two Public Social Partnerships at Low Moss Prison and at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Martin Cawley, Turning Point described how the Third Sector is working with prisoners to reduce re-offending at Low Moss Prison, while Linda Irvine explained how the NHS and Third Sector partners are collaborating in a number of ways including changing the support model for patients at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and how Hibs football club are looking to engage with the wider community.

Future engagement & collaboration

The event was hailed a success by Roddy Stewart, Ready for Business programme manager for CEIS.

“Attendee numbers far exceeded our expectations today and we were delighted to see a lot of new faces from the Public Sector. Hearing the government’s support and the success the programme is having in supporting Third and Public Sector engagement is catching people’s attention and we look forward to future collaboration”.

For further information on Ready for Business, visit www.readyforbusiness.org