The public sector is a vitally important partner for social enterprises. In particular, public procurement - the purchasing of works, supplies and services by public bodies - offers great market opportunities.

In return, social enterprises can help public bodies use their purchasing power to meet their wider social and environmental objectives. In addition, procuring from social enterprises plays an important role in fulfilling the Government's commitment to using a wide range of providers.

A key priority for the Government when purchasing goods and services is delivering value for money. Social enterprises can help deliver these goals. However, there remains a lack of awareness among local government procurers about what social enterprises are and the added benefits they provide.

We are committed to working with a range of public sector bodies and their representative organisations to encourage the development of stronger, more effective relationships between social enterprise and the public sector.

Current Projects 

The Coalition is part of the National Programme for Third Sector Commissioning.

We are currently looking at ways in which commissioners and procurement officers can create added and greater value through good and innovative commissioning and procurement practice.

If you have any good examples you would like to share and feed into this research please contact Ceri Jones at ceri.jones@socialenterprise.org.uk

Position papers and publications

More for your money- a guide to procuring from social enterprises. Download more for your money (for local authorities) (950kb pdf) Download More for your Money (for the NHS)

Social Enterprise and the Public Sector, a Practical Guide to Law and Policy prepared by Anthony Collins Sollicitors on behalf of the BEST Procurement Development Partnership led by Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM). Download Social Enterprise and the Public Sector, a Practical Guide to Law and Policy.

Consultation responses

Joint Cabinet Office-BIS Task Force on Cutting Red Tape (September 2010)

Resources

The Local Government Improvement and Development has issued podcasts to explain the nature and characteristics of a social enterprise and what councillors can do to support and encourage them. Find them here.