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Testing Different Models of Support

Contents
1. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1
Approach........................................................................................................................................... 1
Methodology..................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Key findings.................................................................................................................................. 3
What support, for whom, in what circumstances?............................................................................ 3
So what are the key factors in making support effective?............................................................... 3

3. Case studies.................................................................................................................................. 5
Black Training and Enterprise Group– Surgery Sessions................................................................... 6
Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network............................................................................................. 8
Community Sector Trading Course.................................................................................................. 11
Professional and Technical Advice Service (PTAS)........................................................................... 13
Community Research and Information Bureau (CRIB)..................................................................... 16
School for Social Entrepreneurs...................................................................................................... 18
Adventure Capital Fund ‘Supporters’............................................................................................. 19
Routes to Opportunity.................................................................................................................... 20

4. Exploring themes from the research................................................................................ 21


Support models for different purposes........................................................................................... 21
Support models for different TSOs................................................................................................. 21
Cross cutting themes....................................................................................................................... 23
Exploring definitions....................................................................................................................... 25

5. Implications of the research................................................................................................ 27


Tailored support.............................................................................................................................. 27
New models of peer support.......................................................................................................... 27
Providers’ skills and transferability of models................................................................................ 27
Diagnostics and health checks......................................................................................................... 27
Measuring effectiveness.................................................................................................................. 28

ANNEX 1: DOCUMENTS AND CONSULTEES.......................................................................................... 29

ANNEX 2: BALANCED SCORE CARD...................................................................................................... 31



SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
Testing Different Models of Support

In February 2009, Shared Intelligence was commissioned by Capacitybuilders to explore areas, where travel difficulties had meant that
organising a focus group was not feasible.
the effectiveness of different models of capacity building support for different types of third
1.11. The second stage of research involved in-depth
sector organisations.
research into five examples of capacity building
support. To ensure we had a broad spread
1.1. The project brief was to explore: Methodology of different models of support we began by
identifying case studies that were diverse in terms
“whether different types of capacity building 1.6. Our research was divided into two stages – a
of their main objectives, models for delivery and
services tend to be more effective for particular baseline stage that included a document review,
beneficiaries.
purposes, or whether these effects vary according stakeholder interviews and focus groups with
to the type of third sector organization receiving third sector organisations, and a second stage 1.12. Our case studies were based primarily on
support.” during which we carried out five in-depth case qualitative data. We held phone interviews
studies exploring different methods of delivering with staff from the provider organisation, at
1.2. The project had a particular focus on exploring
one-to-one capacity building support. Full details least two recipients of capacity building, and a
models of one-to-one support, such as in-
are included in the annex to this report. third party who could give a further perspective
depth consultancy; coaching; mentoring; advice
on effectiveness of support (these included
delivered face-to-face or over the phone; and 1.7. The baseline stage began with a document
commissioners, consultants, and other local
also tailored support delivered for groups such as review, which looked initially at key strategic
stakeholders). Where possible, we also reviewed
facilitated sessions and action learning. documents and then focused on (mainly
available evaluations or reviews of the capacity
unpublished or local) research and evaluation
1.3. The research aimed to draw out findings building service.
of capacity building initiatives within the third
that could inform Capacitybuilders’ policy
sector.
development and, potentially, be circulated more
widely to providers of capacity building support 1.8. We conducted eight interviews with a range
and frontline organisations. of stakeholders from national, regional, local
and specialist infrastructure organisations and
funders of capacity building support, including
Approach Capacitybuilders.
1.4. As the brief was broad but the scale of the 1.9. We then carried out three focus groups, aiming
research project relatively small, we approached to reach a range of different types of TSOs and
the assignment as a scoping exercise, aiming providers of support, as follows:
to pull together existing research and surface
• Focus group one - BME TSOs (TSOs led by
issues relating to the research questions through
or predominantly working with black and
consultation with stakeholders and third sector
minority ethnic groups), mainly with fewer
organisations (TSOs) and through case studies of
than ten full time equivalent staff (London)
different models of support.
• Focus group two - Providers of capacity
1.5. We used a broad definition of the ‘third
building support, including specialist and
sector’ in our research, along the lines of that
generic infrastructure organisations and grant
used for the National Survey of Third Sector
making organisations (London)
Organisations: TSOs are organisations that are
non-governmental, value driven and principally • Focus group three - TSOs that are both
reinvest any financial surpluses to further social, providers and recipients of support, mainly
environmental or cultural objectives. They include with more than ten full time equivalent staff
voluntary and community organisations, charities, (Birmingham)
social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals,
1.10. Telephone interviews were used to supplement
housing associations, clubs and societies and
the focus groups and to reach TSOs in rural
trusts.

1 2
SECTION 2
KEY FINDINGS
Testing Different Models of Support

What support, for whom, in what 2.5. However, the research suggested that there are other stakeholders that TSOs themselves –
other reasons why we were not able to identify particularly smaller or newer TSOs – could not
circumstances? clear trends. always identify their own needs effectively, and
2.1. The research brief was to explore the that a key role for capacity builders was to help
2.6. A key issue was that, while in theory it should
interrelationship between three factors in making them to do this.
be possible to define and categorise different
capacity building support effective:
purposes of support and different models of 2.12. There were also concerns about how sustainable
• model of delivery used in providing support delivery, in practice we found that capacity the benefits were of providing support, because
building initiatives often addressed several of high staff turnover within the sector. There was
• purpose of support
purposes (and in some cases were not very clear also some evidence that support’s effectiveness
• type of third sector organisation receiving on the core purpose) and used a combination of could be limited if it was provided ‘at the wrong
support delivery methods. time’ or to groups that were not appropriate
recipients.
2.2. Through our case studies, we were able to give 2.7. It was also difficult to define ‘effective support’.
examples of how particular models had been Different stakeholders had different perceptions 2.13. In choosing a provider, the issue of ‘who
designed for specific purposes, and how support of what this meant and intended outcomes of provides’ seemed more important than the
was being delivered in a way that was sensitive support were not always clear to provider or model of provision. There was evidence that skills
to needs of different types of third sector recipient. and knowledge of the provider were important
organisation (TSO). in ensuring successful outcomes of support,
but that other factors, such as trust, also had
2.3. While we cannot generalise too far from the
range of case studies and other examples we
So what are the key factors in a key influence on TSOs’ choice of provider.
This suggested that brokerage of support, or
explored, the research suggested that: making support effective? signposting to appropriate providers, was an
• TSOs’ stage of development has implications 2.8. In fact, the research suggested that a wide range important role for capacity builders to play in
for the intensity of support required, for of factors interplay in making support ‘effective’. order to avoid duplication of provision and
example if they are a stage of moving from ensure good outcomes for TSOs - and indeed,
2.9. Most important seemed to be the extent to
community group to constituted organisation, some of the case studies we explored included
which support could be tailored to organisations’
or going through transition from a small these activities as core elements.
needs. Whichever broad model of delivery was
charity to a larger organisation. In either of
used, it was the ability of providers to adjust
these cases, support might need to be one-
methods and content of support to meet specific
to-one and in depth to be effective
needs that seemed to be key in making support
• Similarly, support in addressing strategic effective.
issues might need to be more in-depth and
2.10. ‘Tailored support’ did not always need to
one-to-one, as issues are often specific to
be one-to-one. The research suggested that
organisations. Meanwhile it seemed to be
support could be effectively tailored to a group
possible to deliver support in developing
if the aim and purpose of support was clear
systems and processes, building skills, and
and if the group had common needs, and if the
building external relationships less intensively
provider understood the issues that TSOs and
2.4. Overall, though, we could not identify ‘hard their users were facing. The Development Trusts
and fast’ trends that suggested certain delivery Association’s Community Sector Trading course
models were better for certain purposes or types was a good example of tailored support to
of TSO. We weren’t able to say, for example, groups.
whether peer support was likely to be more
2.11. There were, however, questions raised about
effective for certain types of TSO. This is partly
‘whose need’ support was being tailored to,
because of the research design; using a case
and how to identify needs. We found a strong
study approach, we were only able to draw on a
perception amongst providers of support and
small range of examples.

3 4
SECTION 3
CASE STUDIES
Testing Different Models of Support

We identified five examples of capacity building support that ranged in the model of delivery, Surgery Sessions
purpose of support, the type of provider and types of TSOs benefiting. The examples aimed
to give a geographical spread, and all had been recommended to us, by participants in the Provider Black Training and Enterprise Group
Purpose To provide advice to organisations with a ‘quick’ issue they need advice on, such as writing
baseline phase of the research, as models that were perceived to be effective. Some of a funding application
Length of support Each session lasts 1-1.5 hours and BTEG usually sees each beneficiary 2-3 times
the models of support were innovative and even unique, whilst other models were quite
How long it’s been running 2.5 years
‘traditional’, but delivered in effective ways. How many TSOs can be Up to 5 groups per day
supported?
Beneficiaries BME TSOs from London
3.1. The five examples of capacity building support • Community Research and Information Main reasons for accessing Fundraising; Policies & procedures; Planning; Monitoring & evaluation; Budgeting
we selected are outlined below, including a Bureau Development Service (CRIB): The support
brief description of the type of support, target CRIB development service is one-to-one Needs assessment / health check 5-minute questionnaire in the first session to understand TSOs’ size and stage of
beneficiaries and provider: support delivered by a single officer to a development
range of small, new and BME frontline TSOs, Development tools Policy templates
• Surgery Sessions: One-to-one support
provided by Voluntary Action Lewisham (VAL), Funding application guide
targeted at BME organisations and delivered in
the CVS for the London Borough of Lewisham
London by Black Training and Enterprise Group
Summary & background sector capacity building and who has built on experience
(BTEG), a national umbrella organisation for 3.2. In carrying out the case studies, we aimed to
of delivering a similar service in a previous role.
black and minority ethnic service providers address our key research question by exploring: The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) has
been delivering ‘Surgery Sessions’ for around two and Each surgery session begins with a short questionnaire
• Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network • the purpose of and need for the support, both
a half years. The main aim of the service is to provide that gives the provider a basic assessment of
(DCAN): A mixture of intensive and light from perspective of provider and recipient
advice to organisations with a ‘quick’ issue, such as organisational issues and needs. Typically, this is
touch one-to-one, training and information
• key elements of the delivery model writing a funding application or resolving a management followed by a more in-depth discussion, which could
targeted particularly on TSOs that deliver
issue. include commenting on a document or exploring
services to hard to reach groups. It is delivered • intended and actual beneficiaries
organisational development issues. Towards the end of
by Links, the CVS for Chesterfield & North
• outcomes for beneficiary TSOs Beneficiaries the session, which usually lasts 1-1.5 hours, follow-up
East Derbyshire, though the support covers
tasks are identified for the TSO. Where appropriate the
the whole of Derbyshire • critical success factors that made the support The service is targeted at frontline BME TSOs across
TSO is offered the chance to return to another session,
‘effective’ London. The beneficiaries we interviewed varied in size
• Community Sector Trading Course: A for example so that the provider can comment on
– from three to 15 full time equivalent staff members –
6-month training course mainly delivered 3.3. In addition, we supplemented our case study draft documents (e.g. business plans) that the TSO has
and included single-identity organisations and BME-led
online, supporting TSOs looking to material with some shorter case studies of three developed since the session. TSOs typically return around
organisations delivering to a wider range of groups.
develop trading activities. It is delivered to models of effective support that we identified two to three times for further support from the provider –
beneficiaries nationwide by the Development in the literature review - Routes 2 Opportunity, though they occasionally return four or five times. This is
Reasons for accessing support
Trusts Association (DTA), which is the national the School for Social Entrepreneurs, and the usually enough time to resolve the issue.
body for development trusts Adventure Capital Fund ‘Supporters’. Though in a majority of instances groups access support
In one instance, the provider delivered a programme
to tackle a fundraising issue, they also often require
• Professional and Technical Advice Service of surgery sessions as an add-on to a programme of
support on a range of other issues to ensure their
(PTAS): A service providing access to local training for a ‘cluster’ of around 30 BME play associations
sustainability or to make them ‘funder-ready’: policies
expert consultants that is targeted at grass and TSOs in Hackney, who had some common
and procedures; planning; monitoring and evaluation;
roots TSOs based in Birmingham and the capacity building needs. Groups attending the training
staffing; and budgeting.
West Midlands by the Digbeth Trust, a sessions were given the option of attending a one-to-
membership organisation one surgery session with the BTEG officer. Anecdotal
What does the service involve?
evidence suggests that this model was effective for the
The sessions provide a mixture of advice, guidance and organizations involved because the training was tailored
action planning reflecting organisational needs - and to the particular needs of the ‘cluster’ and because it
in this way are highly flexible. They are delivered by a allowed attendees who required more intensive one-to-
development officer who has significant expertise in third one support to access this at a follow-up surgery session.

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Testing Different Models of Support

Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network


In addition, it was a relatively resource efficient approach providing. In this context, it was thought that the support
as only those requiring more intensive support attended from BTEG was effective because it included a mixture
the surgery, whilst those requiring more generic support of different elements, such as suggestions for funding Provider Links: The Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Service and Action
just attended the training. A local infrastructure provider bodies to which beneficiaries could apply alongside Purpose To increase the financial resources of voluntary and community sector and infrastructure
observed the training and one-to-one sessions, gaining intensive one-to-one support such as input into specific groups by helping them win contracts, and to increase the skills and knowledge in the
sector about procurement
knowledge and skills about capacity building. This sort documents and advice on resolving management
Length of support Depends on the type of support being received. The intensive support (provided to 40
of ‘shadowing’ could be a useful model for embedding issues. The infrastructure provider also noted that
groups) lasts no longer than one year.
capacity building approaches locally, so they can continue the majority of TSOs who had received support had
How long it’s been run The project started in Autumn 2007 and will run to Summer 2012 and is funded by BASIS
to be delivered in the long-term. implemented new evaluation and monitoring processes (Big Lottery Fund). An earlier version of the network for a smaller area was funded by
using templates provided and explained by BTEG - this Changeup between 2005 and 2007
Outcomes was also thought to have improved their success with How many TSOs can be Intensive support is delivered to 40 groups per year
funding applications. supported?
Our research suggested that the surgery helped to
Resource implications £97,341 per year. The service is run using resources for 3 full time equivalents. This includes
improve TSOs’ success with funding applications and to
Critical Success Factors a project manager, a management adviser, a social economy adviser, ICT support, and
improve their systems and procedures. freelancers including partner infrastructure bodies, solicitors, trainers, consultants etc.
• The provider’s individual skills and knowledge Beneficiaries Third sector organisations (TSOs) and infrastructure groups, but particularly focusing on
Of the two beneficiary TSOs we interviewed, one had
set are crucial to the surgery sessions model, which hard to reach groups such as Gypsies and disability groups
won a bid with their local authority to fund two posts.
requires the provider to respond to a wide variety of Main reasons for accessing TSOs use the service if they require advice and guidance on tendering for public sector
Prior to receiving support the group had had a number
needs, and produce advice and guidance on a range support contracts
of applications for funding rejected by the authority.
of issues, all in a short meeting, with little preparation Needs assessment / health check No single assessment/ health check process is used, but staff have already worked locally
In this instance, the development officer met with the in CVSs and infrastructure bodies and feed this knowledge into the service
or follow-up. Our research suggested that key
group one-to-one at their premises. She provided Development tools Tender readiness toolkit: a DVD purchased from SCEDU, that was winner of BURA’s
competencies included: ability to communicate with
information about the funding bodies that it would ‘Tools of the Trade’ awards
non-native English speakers; knowledge of the BME
be most appropriate to apply to, as well as reviewing Full cost recovery toolkit: a spreadsheet developed by Community Accounting Plus in
subsector; and experience of delivering similar types Nottingham
and recommending changes to drafts of the funding
of capacity building.
application.
• Providing tools or signposting to resources are Summary & background tender for opportunities on grounds such as efficiency
We also interviewed the infrastructure organisation that
key elements of the model in helping organisations and capacity. Specific requests were also made by
the provider worked with in Hackney. This consultee Links has been running the Derbyshire Contracts Advice
to follow up on issues raised in the sessions. The commissioners for Links to develop capacity building to
thought that a number of the beneficiary TSOs, which Network (DCAN) since 2005. Funded in its first two years
development officer used tools including policy support small TSOs, as commissioners felt these groups
had previously struggled to secure funding, had by ChangeUp, it subsequently secured five years of
templates and funding application templates, and would otherwise have difficulties in accessing public
submitted successful bids since receiving support. funding (2007-2012) from the Big Lottery Fund’s BASIS
resources such as lists of funding providers and lists sector contracts.
Part of the reason for this previous lack of success programme. Its aim is to increase the financial resources
of specialist and generic capacity building support
was thought to be that they were ‘chasing funding…. of TSOs and infrastructure groups by helping them win
providers. Beneficiaries
because it was available locally’ and not necessarily public sector contracts, and to increase the skills and
because it was appropriate to the service they were knowledge in the sector about procurement. DCAN’s beneficiaries cover the full breadth of TSO
and infrastructure groups locally, but their intensive
DCAN acts as a three way network of commissioners,
capacity building is particularly targeted at TSOs
frontline TSOs and infrastructure advisers working in
working with hard to reach groups. The Big Lottery
partnership to build capacity in the Derbyshire third
Fund monitoring reports and our interviews show that in
sector to access tender opportunities locally. DCAN
the last 18 months, DCAN has provided intensive one-
was formed because Links felt it needed to respond
to-one support to a range of organisations, including
to the public sector shift away from a grant-giving
a significant number of TSOs delivering to ‘hard-to-
culture and towards one of competitive tendering.
reach’ groups such as a Gypsy & Traveller liaison group;
It was concerned that the shift to more mixed public
a consortium of disability organisations; a community
service provision – delivered by public, private and
transport partnership; Age Concern; and a law centre
third sector organisations - would place the third
providing free legal services.
sector at risk of being ‘pushed to the sideline’ as larger
private sector providers would be better positioned to

7 8
Testing Different Models of Support

Reasons for accessing support seven advice agencies looking to form a county-wide Research for this case study, which included interviews of staff from the TSO delivering the contract was going
long-term partnership; and two community transport with three beneficiaries, suggests that the support on maternity leave and no alternative arrangements had
DCAN was designed to support groups who are unable
TSOs looking to merge. Support can be provided has had a direct and immediate impact on some been built into the contract. They began by brokering
to access public sector contracts, or require advice
to all of the organisations together, but in certain larger organisations that were already largely ‘tender conversations between the commissioner and the
and guidance on tendering for public sector contracts.
instances it is delivered to one TSO who is leading on ready’ by facilitating the creation of a partnership with provider on how to resolve the problem. Then they
As well as looking for support in preparing tenders
the partnership or merger arrangements. another TSO in a way that significantly strengthened also asked the commissioner to change risk assessment
and guidance on whether to tender for contracts, our
the beneficiaries’ tender submission. Of the three, one systems to ensure similar situations were prevented in
research suggested that beneficiaries also turn to DCAN • Mentoring is also provided for short periods to
had won a large and unique contract with the county future.
for support in forming a partnership or consortium to infrastructure advisers such as the Derbyshire
council, which they attributed to the support. Another
bid for public contracts. Coalition for Inclusive Living. The support aims to
had been successful in winning a large 3-year grant from Critical success factors
transfer knowledge and skills about procurement
the BIG Lottery Fund that is funding two paid staff to run
What does the service involve? technicalities to umbrella bodies so that they • Knowledge of the main barriers facing local
a project.
can then ‘do it for themselves’. In the case of the TSOs bidding for local public sector contracts.
The DCAN service combines four complementary
coalition, DCAN provided advice on their business In another case, DCAN provided ongoing, informal The staff who lead on DCAN combine an in-depth
elements:
plan and input into a specific tender, and have since advice for three large community transport charities understanding of both public sector commissioning
• Generic training and information, on offer to the reduced their level of support allowing the coalition preparing for a merger. As part of this ongoing support, processes and the capabilities of local TSOs.
full breadth of the local TSOs. Training events focus to work on tenders independently. DCAN also awarded the group a small grant for legal
• Relationships with local public sector
on specific topics relating to tendering for public services and signposted them to a solicitor who is now
• Brokering relationships between commissioners commissioners. DCAN staff are able to develop,
sector contracts. For these events DCAN brings in providing legal advice on the merger. This support was
and local TSOs, and also relationships amongst or co-develop with commissioners, appropriate
experts, such as VAT advisors and commissioners, considered essential by the interviewee in moving the
local TSOs. For example, DCAN has provided a training materials that are informed by in-depth
which gives local TSOs an insight into commissioner three TSOs further along the path to a merger, which
‘safe space’ for local TSOs already delivering public knowledge of local public sector commissioning.
priorities and objectives – information that could be they envisage happening in 2010.
sector contracts in consortia to resolve tensions with These relationships also open a communication
crucial to them successfully winning contracts. Links
commissioners. DCAN also plays an advocacy role, DCAN’s ‘brokerage’ role has also borne fruit in two channel for DCAN to broker conversations between
also provides a regular email newsletter and sends
encouraging commissioners to adapt or simplify main ways. First, on a handful of occasions they have commissioners and third sector providers.
out tender opportunities via email to its database of
public contracts to facilitate access for local TSOs. brokered the simplification of public sector contracts to
around 150 local organisations. • Strong links and ongoing contact with the local
In addition, DCAN has been able to bring together facilitate access for local TSOs. For example, following
TSOs and infrastructure organisations has placed
• One-to-one support to frontline organisations. TSOs to form partnerships or consortia that put complaints from local TSOs that school contracts
DCAN in a strong position to identify which types
Every year 40 organisations are nominated by the them in a stronger position to win public sector were rather unclear and difficult to understand, DCAN
of TSOs require more intensive support, but also to
DCAN Core Executive for a year long intensive contracts. They are able to do so by drawing on brokered a simpler standard contract from local schools
link TSOs looking to form consortia and partnerships.
programme of support. The Core Executive is a Links’ substantial knowledge of local TSOs and by that is more accessible for local TSOs.
DCAN is delivered via a large consortium of third
steering group made up of a range of infrastructure being able to provide a mixture of informal advice
Secondly, DCAN has been able to broker discussions sector infrastructure organisations and this – along
partnerships – basically a mixture of CVSs and and guidance, paying for additional expertise where
when issues or tensions arise in the delivery of contracts; with a strong presence at events and various forums
umbrella groups - hand-picked so that collectively necessary.
this has already been successful on a couple of – has helped build strong links into the local third
they represent each geographic area in the county
occasions. For example, it was brought to DCAN staff’s sector.
and the full breadth of topics (including disability, Outcomes
attention that a contract was at risk because a member
BME groups, older people, etc). DCAN helps the
DCAN’s Year 1 End of Year Monitoring Report (Big
40 groups to submit successful tenders by advising
Lottery, October 2008) provides us with a project-wide
them on individual tenders and by supporting them
evaluation of outcomes for beneficiaries from October
to get ‘tender ready’, for instance by helping them
2007 to September 2008. Of the 41 TSOs that received
to write key policies and advising them on financial
intensive support from DCAN, 10 gained financial
or legal matters (such as employment law). One-to-
resources via a contracting process following assistance.
one support tends to combine advice, guidance
Five of 14 infrastructure organisations gained contracts
and signposting to expert support; it occasionally
following project support from DCAN. In addition, two
includes paying for this support. DCAN often targets
partnerships supported by DCAN won public sector
clusters of TSOs looking at forming a consortium
contracts. Progress on winning contracts has so far been
or partnerships or merging. In the last year,
even better in year two (Year 2 Mid Year Monitoring
intensive support has been delivered to: disability
Report, Big Lottery, April 2009).
organisations looking to form a consortium to tender;

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Testing Different Models of Support

Community Sector Trading Course In the first part, participants watch and review a case these segments, participants outline their organisation’s
study DVD presented by a member of staff from a TSO current situation, plans for the immediate term and
Provider Development Trust Association who has successfully developed a trading activity; this then goals for the medium to long term. The aim is
Purpose To support TSOs to develop their trading activities person is called a ‘case study principal’ and is present at to gain a balance between the four aspects of the
the session. Participants are then given the opportunity social enterprises’ objectives to ensure all aspects are
Length of support 2 months
to interrogate this model by questioning the principal. given equal consideration – business, organisational,
How long it’s been run 18 months (including pilot)
The group then splits into smaller breakout groups and financial and social – as all are ultimately essential to
How many TSOs can be 25 on each course
supported? discusses the material presented in more detail. success. The scorecards are intended firstly to help
Resource implications Free course. Programme developed and delivered by 4 full time staff. ‘Principals’ are develop the idea for a trading activity, and secondly
In the second part, one course participant ‘pitches’ their
also paid to develop case study material and attend Elluminate sessions. The licence for to provide a comprehensive framework for planning
own business idea to the group, including presenting
Elluminate - the online meeting platform – costs around £10,000 a year. The course is free out the trading activity including understanding the
to participants, although they must pay a deposit, which is forfeited if they drop out.
their completed ‘balanced scorecard’ (see below).
connections between business model and organisational
Beneficiaries Staff drawn from a mixture of support organisations and frontline delivery organisations Facilitators, ‘case study principals’, and peers then ask
development and between financial and social return.
Main reasons for accessing Would like to establish or develop a trading activity but don’t have the knowledge, skills questions, make comments about, and critique the
Of the participants we interviewed, two of the three
support or confidence to do so, or may already be trading but would like some support around pitch. The ‘pitch’ is intended to have two roles. Firstly,
were using their balanced scorecards as action plans for
strategic planning. To help support organisations to improve their advising and critiquing the process of preparing and delivering a convincing
specific trading activities.
skills. pitch and then receiving comments and constructive
Needs assessment / health check No general ‘needs assessment’ is undertaken, largely because the training has a clearly criticism from people at the session helps the participant
established purpose to help beneficiaries develop a trading activity. Applicants submit Outcomes
to build skills such as the ability to speak with confidence
Expression of Interest forms describing themselves, their organisation and the trading and think on his/her feet. Second, the process helps Of the three beneficiaries we interviewed, one had
activity they’re looking to develop. It is a competitive process as numbers of applicants
other participants to improve their skills in interrogating made substantial progress as a result of the course –
can outstrip places.
the strength and viability of a proposal. All three of the she had significantly increased income by expanding an
Development tools Balanced Score Card: a strategic planning and management tool
Case Studies: DVDs prepared by several TSOs that have developed their own trading participants we interviewed had delivered a ‘pitch’ and existing trading activity. She had also begun scoping and
activities. found it beneficial. One said it had raised ‘pertinent developing other trading activities, one of which is now
issues about the viability of the project’ and the other much closer to realization. This beneficiary claimed that
Summary & background that because of his public sector background he was said the positive feedback had given her confidence and the balanced scorecard was particularly useful in helping
particularly keen to develop more business acumen. had provided ‘loads of learning points’. her to convince trustees that key trading activities were
The Development Trust Association (DTA) has been
worth exploring and to ‘trickle down’ a business-like
delivering their ‘Community Sector Trading’ (CST) course The course concludes with a final face-to-face meeting,
What does the service involve? approach to her organisation more widely. At the time of
for just over 18 months. So far 3 cohorts (including the which is hosted by one of the case study organizations.
receiving support this TSO had only one trading activity
initial pilot) of up to 25 people have done the course, CST is a 2 month long training course, most of which A tour is provided giving participants a chance to see
– accepting social work student placements – and this
which aims to support TSOs to establish new trading is conducted online. The course is made of three key this project ‘on the ground’. Participants then spend a
brought in limited income. The TSO had aspirations
activities or develop existing ones. components. final afternoon practicing delivering business pitches to
to diversify trading activities for several years before
one another.
The course begins with a 24-hour introductory receiving support, and the course appears to have
Beneficiaries
residential session to allow participants to get to The ‘balanced scorecard’ is a key part of the course. provided just the support they had been looking for.
The beneficiaries are staff or trustees drawn from a know each other and the facilitators and to familiarize A small number of participants are asked to pitch
The other two beneficiaries hadn’t made such significant
mixture of support organisations and frontline delivery them with the Elluminate technology. Sessions are run to the group using their balanced scorecards, but
progress, though both felt they had gained much greater
organisations. A number of these are development on the concept of ‘investment readiness’, the balanced all beneficiaries are encouraged to develop one for
clarity of thinking around their original trading idea and
trusts and the course is publicised via the DTA’s regional scorecard strategic tool and the Elluminate virtual the trading activity they are considering. Originally
that they had gained new ideas of ways to generate
staff, though it is also publicised through a variety of meeting platform. developed by Harvard University, the balanced
income. This may be partly due to the fact that each of
other means including direct advertising. scorecard is a strategic planning and management
There are then four online course sessions (one every them had several existing trading activities that brought
system used to align business activities to the vision
fortnight), using the Elluminate virtual meeting platform, in a significant amount of their income, and thus they felt
Reasons for accessing support and strategy of the organization; improve internal and
each lasting about two and a half hours. Each session the pressure to diversify these sources much less acutely
external communications; and monitor organizational
All beneficiaries join the course because they aim to focuses on a specific trading activity or business sector, than the first TSO. Both of these two had also received a
performance against strategic goals. The scorecard
establish or develop a trading activity but don’t have for example, managed workspace, renewable energy, or small grant from the DTA’s Cultivating Enterprise fund to
takes the form of a table divided into segments,
the knowledge, skills or confidence to do so. All three community catering. The sessions are divided into two pay for support to develop their trading activity.
labelled ‘business model’, ‘organisational development’,
TSO beneficiaries we interviewed accessed support parts.
‘financial return’, and ‘social return’. Within each of
for broadly these reasons. One beneficiary mentioned

11 12
Testing Different Models of Support

Critical success factors activities that they might never have thought of or council and local grassroots TSOs which has placed it What does the service involve?
been able to access by themselves or through their particularly well to link the public sector and grassroots
• The Elluminate sessions gave participants access Essentially, the Digbeth Trust manages and brokers
own organizations. TSOs. Both beneficiaries we spoke to said they turned to
to over two dozen ‘critical friends’ in a similar relationships between beneficiary TSOs and consultants
the Digbeth Trust because they had an ongoing informal
situation to help think through their business model • The use of the ‘balanced scorecards’ can play a from their register. The Trust is able to provide free access
but professional relationship with staff from the Trust,
and plan strategically. For the beneficiaries we crucial role in helping trainees clarify their proposals to these consultants for TSOs either through securing
gained through events or third sector forums. Over this
interviewed, this feedback raised pertinent issues and to begin planning their trading activities in their grants or contracts to deliver capacity building on behalf
16 year period, the Trust has also built up an extensive
about the viability of their projects, and in all cases own organization. of a public sector agency. The Trust works to ensure that
list of contacts of local consultants experienced in
helped them help clarify their thinking and ultimately their applications for funding reflect their organisational
• The online Elluminate platform makes the sessions providing advice to local grassroots TSOs.
gain confidence. mission - to enable the development of an influential,
much more accessible and enables a nationwide
Over the past 5 years this list has been extended to effective, independent and sustainable voluntary and
• The combination of case study presentations and take-up. All the beneficiaries we interviewed were
include consultants with a wider range of skills, and community sector across the West Midlands through the
discussions with facilitators and peers provided positive about the online format of the sessions, with
formalised into a register that the Trust manages. influencing of policy and the provision of expertise – and
participants with a wealth of new ideas for trading one calling them ‘logistically brilliant’.
Many consultants have been on the register since it meet the needs of groups. For instance, in two recent
was established, and some give individual professional applications to Capacitybuilders ‘Improving Reach’
support to Trust staff. In this way they behave very much and the Big Lottery BASIS 2 fund, the Trust applied for
like an extended part of the Trust team, for example funding for longer, smaller-scale support packages as
giving advice about IT support issues, assisting with well as the more intensive ones specified by the funders.
presentations to clients, and acting as a sounding board This reflects their experience that many groups require
Professional and Technical Advice Service (PTAS) for senior staff. only small inputs irregularly and over a long period to
achieve their capacity building objectives.
Beneficiaries
Provider Digbeth Trust The PTAS process begins with the Trust publicising
Purpose To provide professional and technical aid, guidance and support to voluntary and The service targets primarily grass roots TSOs in the opportunity for TSOs to access support. In many
community organisations who would otherwise not be able to access them Birmingham and the West Midlands seeking to develop instances, this is followed by a competitive process
Length of support 2-15 days (depending on extent of grant funding or size of contract). The days can be community facilities and services. We interviewed where organisations are selected according to whether
spread over several months beneficiary organisations and consultants who delivered they are likely to benefit significantly from the support.
How long it’s been run 5 years service, to get a picture of the types of TSOs receiving Where the funder has a specific target group, this group
How many TSOs can be Dependent on funding – they are able to provide access to consultants when they have support. Those interviewed – or mentioned by consultants is prioritised; this means that some groups that don’t fit
supported? secured grant funding or have secured a contract to deliver capacity building support - were largely ‘community-based’ and played a significant the funders’ criteria can lose out. Nevertheless, the Trust
Resource implications It is only one element of Trust’s work. The resource input is less than 2 FTE staff. role in providing various services and resources to the is also careful not to ‘shoehorn’ groups into inappropriate
Beneficiaries Grass roots TSOs in Birmingham and the West Midlands seeking to develop community local community. However, there was huge variation support. As a result, groups are often asked to wait to
facilities and services amongst the groups, both in terms of their purpose – receive support until appropriate funding is secured by
Main reasons for accessing Need to develop: funding sources; business plan; human resource systems; specialist skills from a Sikh temple to an amateur football team – and the Trust. However, the Trust is able to mitigate these
support on legal and financial matters; training; and project management skills.
their stage of development – from an established charity effects on groups, firstly by selecting funding that fit with
Needs assessment / health check A Trust Development Worker/Officer conducts an in-depth ‘health check’ interview and
with a large budget and around 30 full time equivalent their vision and mission and secondly by trying to ensure
site visit with the beneficiary, and uses this to write a brief that is then put out to tender
with the register of consultants staff to an organisation run entirely by volunteers. it is delivering a mixture of programmes with different
Development tools No common development tools are used, though some individual consultants do use target groups at any one time.
development tools where considered appropriate and individual projects have produced Reasons for accessing support
Once a group is selected to receive support the first step
reusable tools, for example work on asset transfer and work on social franchising.
According to the Digbeth Trust, most of these groups is to link the group with a Digbeth Trust Development
access support from PTAS for consultancy support Worker who helps them to write a brief. The brief is then
Summary & background The service grew from the Trust’s extensive experience relating to: funding; business planning; human resources put out to the Trust’s register of consultants, who submit
of similar services delivered for the Inner City Partnership systems and processes; specialist skills on legal and a tender for the work. Once these have been received,
The Digbeth Trust, a third sector infrastructure
programme between 1984 and 2000. The Trust financial matters; and project management skills. We the beneficiary organisation decides – using guidance
organisation, has been providing its Professional and
managed the delivery of feasibility studies for major interviewed two beneficiaries - both went to the Trust for provided by the Trust - which consultant best matches
Technical Aid Service for over 5 years. The aim of the
projects and buildings by architects and specialist third support to develop a business plan, and one of the two their requirement. Over the following weeks or months
service is to provide professional and technical advice,
sector consultants to local TSOs. As a result, by 2000, also wanted support to develop a fundraising strategy the consultant then delivers against the brief provided,
guidance and support to TSOs which would otherwise
the Trust had a strong reputation with the local city and a marketing plan. and this includes a range of activities but primarily
not be able to access it.

13 14
Testing Different Models of Support

feasibility studies, business plans, organisational reviews • Case Study 2: Bangladeshi Youth Forum. The Community Research and Information Bureau (CRIB)
and funding strategies (The Digbeth Trust Review 2004 – Trust financed consultancy support to develop and
2008, October 2008, MEL Research). submit an application for funding for the ‘Uniting Provider Voluntary Action Lewisham (VAL)
Communities Badminton Championship’, which was Purpose The case study focused on the development service, which provides one-to-one advice
The whole process relies heavily on the Digbeth Trust’s
successful. and support to TSOs. The CRIB service as a whole also includes an information element,
register of consultants, which is a closed list. To
which focuses particularly on mapping to help groups demonstrate community needs and
be on the register, consultants have to apply to the • Case Study 3: Ryders Green. A church day centre
promote the impact of local TSOs’ work.
Trust’s Board of Trustees and provide two referees. All was able to raise over £54,000 with the help of a
Length of support There is no set time limit, though meetings tend to last around 1.5-2.5 hours. Beneficiaries
consultants must also pay an annual subscription (to consultant from charitable trusts for revenue and typically receive advice over a number of sessions over a period of several months.
cover administrative costs) and, on annual re-application, capital costs including a minibus. How long it’s been run 12 months
must re-submit at least one reference from a local TSO How many TSOs can be 54 organisations were given some form of one-to-one support in the 6 months to May
they have worked for in the past year. All of this helps Critical success factors supported? 2009.
ensure that consultants are of a certain standard and Resource implications 1 full time member of staff
• The service is able to provide beneficiaries with
that their experience is constantly being updated. Beneficiaries New, small, BME and refugee frontline TSOs
specific expertise whilst also helping to assure
quality. It is able to provide this primarily because of Main reasons for accessing Most TSOs present with funding issues, but getting them ‘funding ready’ usually requires
Outcomes support the provider to look at governance, including their constitution, management committee
a combination of the trust’s local reputation and the
and policies
We interviewed two beneficiary organizations, both of way they manage the register of consultants.
Needs assessment / health check The service uses a ‘semi structured’ health check form that allows beneficiaries to add
whom had benefited from the service in organisational their comments so that it is a better reflection of their specific issues
• The Trust’s reputation for delivering a similar
and financial terms. The first was ‘better able to describe Development tools CRIB uses policy templates that are generally based on templates developed by
service locally has been crucial for several reasons.
ourselves and our mission’ as a result of the support, umbrella groups (including NAVCA and LVSC) but tailored to the local context. As a
Their good reputation with the local public sector has
while the second said ‘it’s given us a sense of clarity’. principle of delivery it doesn’t just give templates out, but goes through them with TSOs
helped them win public sector grants and contracts.
One had won a small contract to deliver a worklessness and decides with them which bits are relevant to the group.
It has also gained them the trust and respect of local
project for Birmingham City Council and the other had
grassroots TSOs, ensuring strong take-up of PTAS
established a website for its conference venue that
amongst local TSOs. In addition, over the past 20 Summary & background Reasons for accessing support
had already brought in revenue. The latter had also
years, they have developed an extensive register
secured £500 from a charitable trust following advice Voluntary Action Lewisham (VAL), Lewisham’s Council for According to the development officer, a lack of funding
of consultants with a range of expertise but all with
from their consultant. The consultant had advised that Voluntary Services, has been providing the Community is the main reason organisations first ask for support,
experience of working with local grassroots TSOs.
the beneficiary begin systematically sending out generic Research and Information Bureau Service (CRIB) for 12 and all three beneficiaries interviewed said this was their
letters to funding bodies asking for grants and had • The way in which the Trust manages and constantly months. The CRIB service provides one-to-one advice, primary motivation. However, our research also found
helped them to develop the generic letter. updates the consultancy register ensures the right support and information services to TSOs. This case that to get these organisations ‘funding ready’ usually
mixture of expertise and sufficient experience of study focuses on the one-to-one element of the service, required advice and guidance on a much wider range
The Digbeth Trust has also produced three case studies
working with local TSOs. which is delivered by a development officer. of issues around governance, management, policies
that provide examples of the impact it has had on
and procedures. Two of the three beneficiaries had not
specific beneficiaries. • Finally, the Trust oversees the delivery of the whole
Beneficiaries initially recognised the extent of the changes they would
service from guiding them in selecting a consultant
• Case Study 1: Cycle Chain. The Trust financed a need to make to get ‘funder ready’, and in both cases
through to collecting satisfaction feedback at the The CRIB service targets primarily new, small, and
feasibility study, delivered by their consultants, for the support helped them recognise the need to make
end. During the delivery of the consultancy support BME frontline TSOs. Of the three beneficiaries we
this social enterprise that demonstrated a city centre these wider changes.
they maintain regular contact with recipients to interviewed, all were very small and new - two had no
demand for cycle sales and a parking facility. This was
ensure they receive a quality service. All of this helps paid staff and the other had one paid staff member.
crucial to building the evidence base for the need for What does the service involve?
provide consistency of quality and ensure tensions Two of them could be defined as ‘BME’ TSOs; one was
the social enterprise.
are resolved if they arise. specifically focused on delivering to black and ethnic TSOs sometimes contact the CRIB development
minority groups and another had significant BME officer directly. However, the majority are referred from
representation on its management committee. various sources, including VAL, the Lewisham Council’s
Community Sector Unit, the local volunteer centre

15 16
Testing Different Models of Support

(Volunteers Centre Lewisham) and by word of mouth sense of focus following support. One beneficiary said The three shorter case studies that follow are based on secondary sources identified through the document review.
(previous beneficiaries referring peers to the service). that this greater clarity was pivotal in helping to retain
Most go to VAL because – as their local CVS – it is management committee members at a time when they
available locally and free, both of which are important had been losing members who had lost their motivation. School for Social Entrepreneurs
for volunteer-led organisations with few or no paid
All three also gained skills or knowledge, including new
staff. The officer then organises an initial meeting to
ideas on management techniques, an understanding
undertake a health check of the TSO and to get an The School for Social Entrepreneurs provides support The evaluation found that this model, which provides
of legal requirements and compliance issues, and a
overview of the organisation’s stage of development, to ‘enable social entrepreneurs to establish effective, intensive support with high levels of personal support
stronger ability to ‘sell’ the organisation to funders.
strengths and weaknesses and key issues. sustainable community projects and initiatives that and links into networks, had been highly effective in a
All mentioned ways in which the new capabilities
meet social and community needs.’ Originally set up number of ways. Here is a summary of their findings:
The officer then provides advice and guidance to the they gained through the support would help them to
in London by Michael Young in 1997, it has since been
organisation. This advice covers a broad range of be sustainable in the longer term. For instance, one • Strengthening networks: ‘76% of the students
joined by five other member schools - East Midlands,
capacity issues: governance (setting up a management mentioned knowledge gained around how to produce questioned made more than four useful contacts,
Aston, Fife, Belfast, and most recently Liverpool.
committee, writing a constitution), management accurate budgets based on project specifications, a skill and 53% made more than ten.’
(developing essential policies and procedures, operating that would help them achieve full cost recovery when Over the course of a year the SSE ‘identifies, encourages
• Increased confidence: ‘88% agreed that whilst
to high standards), input into funding bids, monitoring delivering public contracts. and develops the capacity of a selected group of
attending the SSE they experienced a growth in
and evaluation. Invariably, the officer identifies key social entrepreneurs whilst guiding them through a
confidence.’
actions for the organisation to take, and in most Critical success factors programme of personal and project development
instances this is followed up in subsequent meetings. based on ’learning by doing‘ and ’just-in-time’ • Credibility: ‘66% of respondents rated their
• The service is accessible and flexible in that the
The officer doesn’t use any formal action planning support.’ The SSE offers a combination of personal and perception of their organisation’s credibility as 7
development officer is available to support TSOs
processes, but rather uses the health check as the organisational support alongside personal development or above on a scale of 1-10’ (most attributed this
at relatively short notice, is able to travel to TSOs’
basis for identifying the organisation’s main needs and for individuals. However, as the evaluation points out, directly or indirectly to their experience at the SSE).
premises and is able to meet them outside of
priorities for support, and then building the action plan for social entrepreneurs ‘organisational support and
working hours if necessary. All of this is crucial for • Alive and surviving: ‘SSE fellows’ organisations
around these. He felt that the huge diversity in needs – personal development are inseparable as the latter has
these organisations, which are often very small and are over one-and-a-half times more likely to be
varying from one-off support on funding applications to an associated impact on the former.’ The evaluation
run largely by volunteers. in existence after eight years than conventional
developing a new constitution - makes any standardised of the SSE found that the model of support – with its
businesses.’
action plan template inappropriate. • The experience of the development officer is ‘focus on an individual journey (and self-actualisation)
paramount; our case study suggests sector-specific as well as organizational development’ – was unique in • Growing: ‘These organisations are experiencing
Outcomes knowledge and experience of working with similar comparison to other institutions providing support and financial and organizational growth in a variety of
groups are particularly useful. training. ways, such as by generating employment, creating
For the beneficiaries we interviewed, support revolved
volunteer posts, and reaching thousands of users.
around meeting funder/commissioner requirements, • The skills of the development officer were also The SSE provides practitioner-led packages of support,
On average, SSE fellows’ organisations are effectively
and all beneficiaries successfully developed or refreshed highlighted, and in particular ‘soft skills’. From a BME training and advice, and the activities are ‘designed to
trading and gaining a five-fold increase in turnover.’
policies required or at least preferred by funders/ background, the two BME beneficiaries emphasised identify, accommodate and successfully meet a variety of
commissioners. In all cases, beneficiaries considered the importance of his ability to work patiently the students’ needs and expectations’. The course aims To conclude then, there is strong evidence to suggest
that the steps taken with support from the development through their issues and communicate in ways they not only to transfer skills but also to ‘offer a supportive that SSE’s model of delivery has been highly effective
officer had been, or would be, essential in securing could understand. and collaborative environment which encourages in helping social entrepreneurs to develop and social
grant funding or a public sector contract. people to develop their own capacities, confidence and enterprises that survive and grow, but also to build their
• The service is part of a wider support package
legitimacy of their project.’ In addition, there is a strong confidence, credibility and networks in ways that will
One of the three beneficiary organisations had delivered by VAL, which encourages more joined-
emphasis in the programme on accessing networks, and help them continue to prosper.
subsequently secured a small grant from a local grant- up support and tailoring of training content. Firstly,
the programme helps to build peer-to-peer relationships
giving body. Given all had received the support 6 participants of training workshops are often referred
and to give students ‘access to knowledge, services and
months or less before we interviewed them, they had to the development officer for further support; those
influence beyond their existing field of experience’.
submitted few applications in the interim period, so it receiving one-to-one support are also referred to
was difficult for them to judge the impact on application training workshops. Secondly, the development Source: School for Social Entrepreneurs: nef evaluation report, October 2006, new economics foundation
success rates. officer often helps develop these training workshops,
which fosters ‘cross-fertilisation’ or tailoring of
The support also added value in a number of ways. All
workshops to the support needs picked up on
beneficiaries mentioned that their organisation had
through his one-to-one support.
greater clarity on their vision and mission or a renewed

17 18
Testing Different Models of Support

Adventure Capital Fund ‘Supporters’ Routes to Opportunity

The Adventure Capital Fund is a £2.5 million in the evaluation on softer outcomes such as giving Routes to Opportunity (R2O) is a £1m capacity building case studies focused on the way support helped to raise
experimental programme designed to provide beneficiaries confidence and bringing challenge to and business skills programme aimed at BME third awareness, increase knowledge or shift the culture in the
investment finance for independent community- organisations. The evaluation also found some more sector organisations in the West Midlands. It focuses organisation, although they provided little evidence of
based organizations ‘seeking to increase the scale and concrete outcomes, such as encouraging beneficiaries in particular on helping BME TSOs to ‘compete ‘harder’ outcomes for organisations, such as success in
sustainability of their operations through engaging in to link up with the wider world by joining national and more effectively for new and emerging public sector winning contracts or securing funding.
enterprise initiatives’. It offers three inputs – revenue regional networks. contracting opportunities and improve their prospects
Interestingly though, the report found that a large
funding, ‘Patient Capital’ (long-term, sub-market for income-generation and sustainability.’
However, the evaluation also found ‘scope for proportion of clients felt that five days of intensive
loans), and time in the form of dedicated Supporters.
improvement’: Its core activity is commissioning companies – from consultancy support was actually not precisely what
Supporters work alongside participating organisations
a list of six chosen for their sector expertise and for beneficiary organisations wanted. The case studies help
to help them ‘make the transition from financial and • ‘The pool of Supporters assembled at the outset
their understanding of third sector development issues to illustrate why this might be – in several cases, the
organizational fragility to sustainability’. of the Bursary programme was not large enough
- to deliver business assists to BME TSOS. Each assist consultancy support helped them to initiate a process
or diverse enough to meet the demands of the
The primary role of the supporters was ‘to help the essentially consists of five days of intensive consultancy of change for which they required further support.
participants.’
participants review their priorities, clarify the content time over a short period. Many clients therefore suggested that ‘a more generally
of their work programmes, select their consultants, • ‘In the eyes of some of the participants a number flexible R2O support package is required that can be
The Year 1 Learning Report found high levels of
and review the output of the Bursary exercise.’ Each of supporters had not been sufficiently briefed on delivered over a longer timeframe’.
client satisfaction. It also presented case studies of
supporter provided a ‘blend of inputs’ depending ‘in their role or on the project they were to advise upon.
organisations that had benefited from the support. The
part, upon their own skills and backgrounds and, in part, Given the limited amount of supporter time allocated
upon the requirements and opportunities presented by to an organisation, a high proportion of that time Source: R2O Year 1 Learning Report, September 2008, b:rap
the Bursary participants.’ The range of functions offered available had to be set aside to bring them up to
by supporters was summarized as follows: adviser (e.g. speed.’
on legal structures); facilitator; critical eye/ listening ear;
• ‘Also, because the Bursary assignment was not a
challenger; educator; and broker.
major piece of work for the supporter and many were
As the evaluation found, the overall response to busily engaged on other projects, it was difficult for
the supporters’ contribution was very positive, with some participants to secure the attention of their
beneficiaries describing it as ‘excellent’, ‘spectacularly Supporter when they needed it.’
good’, and ‘very effective’. There was a strong emphasis
Source: Sustainable futures: investing in community-based organizations, October 2004, Centre of Social and Evaluation Research at
London Metropolitan University

19 20
SECTION 4
EXPLORING THEMES
FROM THE RESEARCH
Testing Different Models of Support

This section aims to draw out learning from the in-depth and short case studies alongside If the intended Effective Critical success factors are likely to Examples
outcome of models of be…
our wider research, relating back to our original research questions. The section explores capacity building support might
is… include…
four themes: Clarifying Intensive The right combination of provider VAL’s CRIB service is an example of this sort
• Support models for different purposes strategic vision organizational skills/ knowledge of support delivered by a development officer
and mission support Involvement of staff and/ or trustees Digbeth Trust’s PTAS, and Routes 2
• Support models for different types of TSO Transformational in support Opportunity on the other hand rely on a
• Cross cutting themes change: Consultants meeting quality consultancy support model.
developing a standards
• Exploring definitions new organisation
or new direction An in-depth organisational ‘health
check’
Testing/ sharing ideas with peers
Support models for different Support models for different TSOs Improving ‘Menu’ Specific, technical knowledge of BTEG’s Surgery Sessions has provided both
internal systems combining requirements intensive support for ‘clusters’ and combines
purposes 4.4. The research suggested that very broadly, a TSO’s
to make training and training with one-to-one support.
stage of development might make a difference Organizational development tools
4.1. In analyzing the data, we defined ‘purpose’ with organisations one-to-one The School for Social Entrepreneurs provides
to the types of support that will be effective. more sustainable Delivery of training and one-to-one
reference to four broad outcomes of support, Intensive support by same provider an example that mixes more intensive one-to-
We found that for organisations that are new or and effective support to one support with tailored training.
including:
in transition, more intensive, regular one-to-one ‘clusters’ Derbyshire Contracts Action Network’s
• Defining strategic vision and mission and support might be needed, for two key reasons:
intensive support to ‘clusters’ of TSOs also falls
supporting transformational change; they may be more likely at this stage to need within this category.
support in defining strategic vision and mission; Enhancing Light touch Knowledge of barriers to local TSOs Links’ Derbyshire Contracts Action Network
• improving internal systems to make TSOs
and they may be less able to accurately identify external one-to-one winning public sector contracts largely falls within this category, and has been
more effective and sustainable;
their own needs. positioning/ advice Local relationships between the proven to be highly effective in supporting
• enhancing the external ‘positioning’ of the partnerships Information/ provider and commissioners groups to win public sector contracts.
“A group that is relatively new in its early stages
organisation to secure funding and build updates It should be noted that the Digbeth Trust’s
needs a regular contact over a period of their first Strong links with the local third
partnerships; and Brokerage sector and infrastructure providers PTAS, BTEG’s Surgery Session and VAL’s
year. If they get it right in the first year, they need CRIB service all provide – on an ad hoc
• improving staff skills and knowledge in order less support later on.” basis – insights into funder and commissioner
to deliver the organisation’s mission more Stakeholder priorities, and advice for groups ‘packaging’
effectively. themselves for tenders/ bids.
4.5. The issue of whether specialist organisations,
Improving Training Accessible document (e.g. policy) DTA’s Community Sector Trading Course
4.2. Notwithstanding the definitional challenges for example those working with single identity knowledge and tailored to templates and usable guidance provides a training course that is highly
outlined below, we used a matrix to identify what groups, needed different types of support was skills for delivery context tailored to the needs of participants and uses
Practical use of organisational
our research suggested effective model could be more complex. The research suggested that it development tools both development tools and peer exchange.
for each of these purposes. We drew out ‘critical was not so much model of support but qualities Two of our other case studies - BTEG’s
Element of peer exchange
success factors’ for each and provided examples of the provider that made a difference to Surgery Session and VAL’s CRIB service –
from our case studies that support these findings. outcomes. Tailored lists of other resources, provide examples of tailored training, that
guidance and sources of support complement one-to-one support.
4.3. These findings are set out in the following table. 4.6. The baseline research found a clear view that
Broadly, the research suggested that support some specialist TSOs often preferred to access
working with faced was important in determining Voice4Change England found some that in
in addressing strategic issues might need to be support from a local or national specialist
providers’ ability to deliver effective support. relation to capacity building, issues affecting the
more in-depth and one-to-one, as issues are infrastructure organisation, or from an individual
For example, a TSO working with refugees BME third sector specifically included BME sector
often specific to organisations. Meanwhile, it from the same background, rather than from
and migrants described the need for providers influence; and responding to the emergence of a
seemed to be possible to deliver support in generalist providers. This view came from
to understand the differing implications of single equalities agenda.1 Educational charities
developing systems and processes, building frontline organisations themselves as well as
refugee and asylum seeker status. Development were thought to be able to get more tailored
skills, and building external relationships less providers of support and stakeholders.
trusts benefited from the DTA’s experience in support from ContinYou than from a local body.
intensively.
4.7. The research showed that knowledge of the working with that type of TSO. Research by
issues that TSOs and the communities they were
1
Bridge the Gap: What is known about the BME Third Sector in England, October 2007, Voice for Change England

21 22
Testing Different Models of Support

4.8. Yet it was also clear that that there were other
issues that affected some TSOs’ choice of Sustainability in capacity building
provider, beyond specialist knowledge. These
included, for example, issues around:
Through our research we identified two main ways in The benefits of capacity building support can also be
• Trust and confidence - providers of support which sustainability can be built into support models – sustained by embedding organizations in networks of
working mainly with BME TSOs often felt that first, building capacity of beneficiaries to sustain change peer support and exchange. One key finding of the
trust was a key issue influencing choice of across their organisation, and second, embedding School for Social Entrepreneurs evaluation was that
provider. organizations in peer networks of support and exchange. networks were vital to social entrepreneurs. Building
peer networks nationally (along the SSE model) can be
• Whether the support provider could Whilst there is no single recipe for building capacity of
particularly helpful in providing TSO’s with a pool of
bring credibility to TSOs - for instance, beneficiaries to sustain change across their organization,
‘peer advisors’ or mentors that can continue to provide
the evaluation of the School for Social we have identified a couple of mechanisms that promote
advice and information in an informal way. Our own case
Entrepreneurs found that the SSE brings this:
study research into the work of DECAN found that their
increased credibility, positioning students
• Cascading learning: a TSO attending one of our focus role in brokering relationships between similar (‘peer’)
better with funders, local authorities and other
groups had a policy of sharing learning from training TSOs to foster partnership has worked very effectively,
key decision-makers.2
with all staff by asking those who had received and DECAN could perhaps begin looking at ways this
• The extent to which TSOs in fact identified training to ‘recreate’ the session they had attended to could be turned into a ‘self-sustaining’ model. These
themselves as part of the third sector - one share what they had learnt with colleagues. Another sorts of local peer networks can also provide TSOs
consultee felt that some TSOs did not identify TSO, the Chinese Community Centre in Birmingham with advisors’ or mentors as described above, but can
with third sector infrastructure organisations at also used this approach, finding that this could help also be directly useful to strengthen the third sector’s
all, but were more likely to seek support from overcome the language barrier faced by staff and collective capacity to successfully win contracts without
a sectoral body (arts and cultural organisations volunteers who had limited English skills. significant capacity building support. For example, one
were given as an example). TSO we interviewed about the DCAN service had been
• Involving both trustees and staff in training and
helped by DCAN to partner with a social enterprise
one-to-one support: The Digbeth Trust consultants
specialist – SCEDU - in a successful bid for a contract.
systematically involved staff and/or trustees in
Cross cutting themes business planning and organisational change
This meant the TSO drew on SCEDU’s knowledge of
social enterprise, and thus didn’t require intensive
4.9. In addition to the model of delivery and the processes, and VAL’s CRIB service did so on a more
support on social enterprise from DCAN to bid for the
type of recipient TSO, a number of further issues ad hoc basis. In both instances, recipients highlighted
contract. Crucially, much of SCEDU’s knowledge and
emerged that tended to make a difference to the the participative nature of the support as key to
expertise around social enterprise will undoubtedly be
effectiveness of capacity building. Some of these effectiveness.
transferred to the other TSO in the co-delivery of the
were identified as ‘critical success factors’ across
“We’ve found that financial training works well when contract; building its social enterprise expertise.
our case studies, while others were regularly
a treasurer and a co-ordinator both attend. It really
highlighted by consultees in earlier stages of the
strengthens the way they put it into practice.”
research.
Generalist support provider
4.10. The quality of support and extent to which
it could be tailored to organisations’ needs
relied not only on the deliverers’ experience effective in ensuring that those who accessed
were seen as the most important factors in
and knowledge, but in cases where support the support were able to benefit from it; and
determining whether support was effective. Key
was delivered flexibly, on their ability to
success factors included: • the extent to which capacity building had
carry out a good initial appraisal or diagnosis
clear objectives and was action-focused.
• the deliverer’s skills (e.g. facilitation, listening) of needs, especially as TSOs themselves
and experience (especially of working with the were not always considered to be able to “The presenting problem often isn’t the real
third sector and sub-sectors within it); accurately identify their own needs. Where problem.”
support was delivered to a group and had a
• the extent to which support was based “Sometimes you don’t have to do so much to
specific pre-defined purpose – such as the
on a clear understanding of beneficiary change the organisation, it’s about identifying
DTA’s Community Sector Trading Course, a
organisation’s priorities and key issues. This the small changes to make the big jump.”
formal process for selecting beneficiaries was
Focus group participants/interviewees
2
School for Social Entrepreneurs – evaluation, October 2006, new
economics foundation

23 24
Testing Different Models of Support

4.11. Another important cross-cutting factor was “[Support] doesn’t necessarily need to be a long- Effectiveness
the extent to which benefits of support were term programme, but needs to be constantly
4.18. Our research also found a lack of a common
sustainable. There was a perception that it was available. Otherwise we will just take it [when it is
definition of what ‘effectiveness’ means when
harder to engender ‘organisational learning’ in available], whether we need it or not.”
referring to capacity building. The available
the third sector than in other sectors, because Director, front line organisation
literature provided no clear and comprehensive
many organisations were small and short term
definition of effectiveness that goes beyond
funding for the sector made high staff turnover
statements of the types of outcomes that should
more likely. As several providers pointed out, the Exploring definitions be expected, nor many evaluative models to test
risk associated with one to one support is that
4.14. Finally, analysing the findings highlighted some effectiveness. A recent review of evidence of the
the learning is often lost when individuals move
challenges in defining purposes of support and in impact of ChangeUp found that ‘the failure at the
on. We came across some good examples of
understanding effectiveness, which are explored outset to establish a clear baseline or criteria for
where providers and frontline organisations had
below. measuring success meant that Government was
worked to make the benefits of capacity building
unable to assess its effectiveness in the early
more sustainable.
Purpose of support years of the programme’.5
4.12. Alongside this, the extent that contact was
4.15. The case studies showed that in practice it 4.19. Most of the local evaluations of capacity
maintained also seemed to make a difference.
is often difficult to identify a clear purpose building that we reviewed focused on assessing
Several consultees were concerned that one-
for examples of capacity building support. beneficiary satisfaction and identifying some
to-one support is often provided on a one-off
Three of our case studies looked at models of measures of impact on the organisation, such
basis, but for organisations really to benefit they
support where the purpose of the service as as success in securing grants or contracts.
needed an ongoing relationship with a provider
a whole was very broad. For example, BTEG’s Indeed, our own case study research focused on
of support.
Surgery Sessions aimed to ‘provide advice to exploring these types of indicators, as in most
“There needs to be long-term contact [for organisations’. The purpose of Voluntary Action cases support had only recently been delivered
capacity building to be effective] – consultancies Lewisham’s CRIB service was to ‘provide one and longer term outcomes were not yet visible.
parachuted into a project without trust built up to one advice and guidance on starting up,
4.20. Our desk research and discussions with
do not produce the same effects.” managing and developing your organisation’.4
stakeholders, however, suggested that there are
Focus group participant
4.16. For the analysis, we identified some broad at least two other dimensions of effectiveness
4.13. The timeliness and accessibility of support was categories of ‘purpose’, making a distinction that should ideally be considered: sustainability,
also thought to play a key role in its outcomes. between support to develop TSOs’ strategy and and value generated. None of the evaluations we
Clearly, if an organisation cannot access support mission and support in developing capabilities reviewed attempted to measure the longer-term
they cannot benefit from it. Some consultees, to deliver these. Several other models for sustainability or outcomes of capacity building,
though, pointed out a subtler problem - arguing distinguishing between different purposes for example whether it had generated skills and
that, if support is provided only at set times for capacity building have been presented knowledge amongst beneficiaries to maintain
rather than being available on demand, there by other researchers carrying out projects for or implement necessary changes, and to learn,
is a risk that organisations will take it up rather Capacitybuilders – for example, a piece of innovate and share knowledge about what works
than miss out, but not necessarily make the most research by University of the West of England – the sorts of capabilities required to continue
use out of it. Similarly, support may sometimes drew a distinction between ‘intrinsic’ and to grow, adapt and learn from mistakes in a
need to be provided over a longer time period in ‘functional’ capacity building. changing operational context.6
order to be effective. A learning report on Routes
4.17. Yet in practice, our examples tended to address 4.21. In addition, few evaluations of capacity building
to Opportunity found that clients frequently
several purposes at once and did not always attempt to measure the impact of capacity
indicated that the most beneficial approach
make these clear. Some delivered capacity building support on the communities that TSOs
would be access to continuing support.3
building support that addressed needs of funders serve.7 In some ways, these could be described
or commissioners as well as those of TSOs. as the ‘true measures’ of success in that they
assess the extent of the impact of capacity
3
R20 Year 1 Learning Report, September 2008, b:rap
building support on organisations’ delivery of
4
www.valewisham.org.uk/content/crib-community-resource-and-information-bureau outcomes in their areas or for their target groups.
5
Building the Capacity of the Third Sector, February 2009, National Audit Office
6
This point is made in Alternative Approaches to Capacity Building – Practices in the Public and Private Sector, May 2009, Centre for Enterprise
and Economic Development Research, Middlesex University, and Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham.
7
A notable exception is the School for Social Entrepreneurs: nef evaluation report, October 2006, new economics foundation

25 26
SECTION 5
IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH
Testing Different Models of Support

Tailored support New models of peer support better capture the needs of the groups they
were working with. It seems that these processes
5.1. Our research suggested that there was a 5.3. We found some enthusiasm amongst
of development and improvement are based
widespread appetite amongst TSOs for flexible, stakeholders to see if more structured
on the direct experience of the deliverer and
tailor made support, alongside a perception that organisational development techniques used
therefore may well lead them to produce a more
most training on offer was too generic. in the public and private sectors, such as peer
effective appraisal process; however, there is very
review, could be effectively used in the third
5.2. Although TSOs often seemed to prefer one-to- little dissemination of findings and as a result
sector. There was widespread enthusiasm for
one support, the research found that tailored providers may be ‘reinventing the wheel’.
developing better peer networks, alongside a
support did not have to mean one-to-one.
recognition that TSOs often turn to peers for • Capacitybuilders could commission research
Support to groups could also be effectively
informal support before thinking of approaching to test out why and how particular diagnostic
tailored, as long as purposes and audiences were
an infrastructure organisation or other type methods are effective in identifying
clearly defined and needs well understood.
of capacity builder. Peer networks seemed organisational needs
• Overall, TSOs may benefit more from having particularly important for small, emerging TSOs.
• Capacitybuilders could disseminate guidance
access to a smaller amount of well tailored
• There may be a role for Capacitybuilders in around diagnosing organisational needs, and
support than a larger amount of less well
supporting the development of peer networks examples of diagnostics that are particularly
tailored provision. This is of course a broad
and evaluating models of peer support effective
generalisation - but several TSOs participating
in the research described generic training
sessions they had attended, which had not
been tailored to their needs, and appeared to
Providers’ skills and transferability Measuring effectiveness
give very little tangible benefit. In the research, of models 5.6. Finally, the research suggested that providers
support that had clear target audiences and need support to evaluate their own work and
5.4. All models of support rely to some degree on
clear objectives often produced the strongest need to be encouraged to take time to reflect on
the skills of the person delivering them. However,
evidence of outcomes. This suggests to effectiveness - including the question of whether
findings from our case study research suggest
us that providers may want to target their benefits are sustained and support adds wider
that more intensive, one-to-one organizational
support and make objectives and audiences value.
support relies more on providers’ skills to be
really clear. Rather than trying to provide
effective than other forms of support. For • Capacitybuilders’ programmes could include
something for everyone, providing individual
example, the services delivered by the Digbeth funding for, and a requirement for, evaluation
support where appropriate, or group training
Trust, VAL, and BTEG rely very heavily on the – and could encourage other funders of
for TSOs with similar needs may be a more
particular experience, knowledge and skills of capacity building to do the same
effective use of limited resources
the people delivering them, and the model could
• Capacitybuilders could provide guidance
• The research was not able to show which not be delivered effectively in another context by
on self-evaluation for providers, including a
organisations would benefit most from someone who lacked similar skills.
framework to measure the short, medium and
support, but did suggest that in some cases,
• This may suggest a role for Capacitybuilders longer term outcomes of support
outcomes of support were relatively limited
in developing a clearer skills framework and/
and that there might be grounds for working
or accreditation for those delivering this form
with providers to identify where support can
of capacity building support
make the most impact
• Intensive support might be more effective
if targeted at particular organisations – Diagnostics and health checks
for example, those needing support in
5.5. Three of our five case studies used some form
determining their vision and mission, who are
of health check or assessment of beneficiary
open to challenge; those who are in a period
TSOs, and as already noted this was crucial to the
of transition, and have a strong ‘case’ for
effectiveness of the support as a whole. Providers
wanting to change, which they can show will
generally used forms or questionnaires they had
add value for communities; or those that can
developed themselves, or a generic document
show that benefits of support will be sustained
that they had tailored in ways they felt would

27 28
ANNEX 1
DOCUMENTS AND CONSULTEES
Testing Different Models of Support

We would like to thank Capacitybuilders’ policy team, regional managers and all individuals who Case studies Case Study 4
contributed to the research. For each case study we held phone interviews with Voluntary Action Lewisham’s Community Research
staff from the provider organisation, at least two and Information Bureau.
Documents reviewed to date Stakeholder interviews recipients of capacity building, and a third party
• 3 Provider Interviews
(including commissioners, consultants, and other local
Strategic documents: We conducted 8 phone interviews with the following
stakeholders). We also specify where we drew on • 3 Beneficiary Interviews
stakeholders prior to and in parallel with the focus
• Third sector strategy for Communities and Local evaluations of the capacity building service.
groups: • 1 Stakeholder Interview (with the manager of local
Government, Discussion Paper – June 2007,
volunteer centre)
Department for Communities & Local Government • Ben Kernighan – NCVO Case Study 1
• The future role of the third sector in economic and • Brian Carr - Birmingham VSC Digbeth Trust’s Professional and Technical Service Case Study 5
social regeneration: Final Report, July 2007, Office of (PTAS)
• Ian Bingham – Guide Neighbourhoods LINKS’ Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network.
the Third Sector
• 1 Provider Interview
• Simon Davidson – One Voice Network • 1 Provider Interview
• Improving small scale grant funding for local
• 2 Beneficiary Interviews
voluntary and community organizations - Discussion • Tebs Rashid – BTEG • 3 Beneficiary Interviews
Paper (informing the Government’s 3rd Sector • 2 Stakeholder Interviews (with consultants from PTAS
• Tim Gill – BIG • 1 Stakeholder Interviews (with a local commissioner)
Review) register)
• Jon Fox - Capacitybuilders
Research and evaluation into the impact of capacity Secondary sources reviewed
Case Study 2
building: • Victoria Warne – Capital Community Foundation
• Digbeth Trust’s Professional and Technical Service
Development Trusts Association’s Community Sector
• Scoping the evaluation of ChangeUp: Overview, (PTAS): The Digbeth Trust Review 2004 – 2008,
Trading course.
October 2007, COGS - Mandy Wilson, Tony October 2008, MEL Research. Case Study 3 – Ryders
Herrmann, Jane Leathley, Linda Mitchell; CRESR,
Focus groups • 1 Provider Interview Green Methodist Church Centre, August 2007,
Sheffield Hallam University - Rob Macmillan; CRC, Focus group attendees were as follows: Digbeth Trust.
• 3 Beneficiary Interviews
University of the West of England - Marilyn Taylor,
• Focus group 1 - BME Third Sector Organisations • LINKS Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network:
Lucy Grimshaw, John Lever • 1 Stakeholder Interviews (with a ‘case study’ mentor
(London). 4 attendees: Kensington and Chelsea Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network Year 1: End
from course)
• Building the Capacity of the Third Sector, February Migrants and Refugees Community Forum; Migrants of Year Report, October 2008, Big Lottery Fund;
2009, National Audit Office Resource Centre; Latin American Women’s Rights Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network Year 2: Mid-
Case Study 3
Service; and Cardinal Hume Centre Year Report, April 2009, Big Lottery Fund.
• Evaluation report on SWAN’s (South West Acre
Black Training and Employment Group’s Surgery
Network) ‘Powering Up Communities’, Autumn 2008, • Focus group 2 - Providers of capacity building
Sessions.
Report prepared for SWAN by Angela McTiernan and support (London). 6 attendees: St Catherine and
Sarah Taragon Shadwell Trust; Unltd Ventures; The School for Social • 1 Provider Interview
Entrepreneurs; BASSAC; Community Matters; and
• Bridge the gap: What is known about the BME third • 3 Beneficiary Interviews
The Development Trusts Association
sector in England, October 2007, Voice for Change
• 1 Stakeholder Interview (with an infrastructure
England • Focus group 3 - Medium-sized TSOs (Birmingham).
organisation)
3 attendees: ADEPT; All Saints and Blakenhall
• Voluntary and Community Sector Case Studies –
Community Development NDC; and Chinese
IDeA
Community Centre
• School for Social Entrepreneurs, October 2006, nef
Additional telephone interviews:
evaluation
• Queens Park Bangladeshi Association
• Sustainable futures: investing in community-based
organizations, October 2005, London Metropolitan • Building Healthy Communities
University with nef
• South West ACRE Network
• Somerset Community Council
• BASSAC

29 30
ANNEX 2
BALANCED SCORE CARD
Testing Different Models of Support

The Balanced Score Card was developed by Harvard University and used by the Development Trust’s Association
for their Community Sector Trading course.

NAME OF ORGANISATION: Balanced Scorecard

BUSINESS MODEL ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

LATER - 2010 LATER - 2010


SOON - 2008 SOON - SUMMER 2009
• Long-term aim • Long-term aim
• Planned action • Planned action
• Long-term aim • Long-term aim
• Planned action • Planned action
• Long-term aim • Long-term aim
• Planned action • Planned action

NOW - FEB 2009 NOW - FEB 2009


• Current action
• Current action
• Current action
• Current action
• Current action
• Current action

NOW - FEB 2009 NOW - FEB 2009


• Current action • Current action
• Current action • Current action
• Current action • Current action

SOON - 2009 SOON - 2008


LATER - 2010 LATER - 2010
• Planned action • Planned action
• Long-term aim • Long-term aim
• Planned action • Planned action
• Long-term aim • Long-term aim
• Planned action • Planned action
• Long-term aim • Long-term aim

FINANCIAL RETURN SOCIAL RETURN

31 32
Testing Different Models of Support

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