Civil Society and Public Services - Collaboration not Competition

Trade unions have long campaigned against the privatisation and fragmentation of public services. In many respects, the outsourcing of public services to civil society organisations contains the same set of threats and challenges. However, in addition, there are issues that are specific to both civil society organisations and social enterprise that require a specific policy response.

This report sets out to:

• Outline the public policy context;
• Identify the key issues and challenges for public services and the public sector workforce;
• Identify the impacts on civil society;
• Articulate an alternative vision for civil society engagement in public services;
• Explore how we might manage and mitigate some of the worst effects of outsourcing public services to civil society organisations and social enterprises.