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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 3:37 am
Time: 3:37 am
Results for voluntary agencies
1 results foundAuthor: Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Title: Equal Partners: An Inspection of the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector's Engagement with the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland Summary: What is the Third Sector? The Third Sector is an umbrella term that covers a range of different organisations with different structures and purposes, belonging neither to the public sector (i.e. the state) nor to the private sector (profit-making private enterprise). Other terms are used to describe such organisations - the voluntary sector, non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations - particularly in public discussions around policy and politics. Third Sector organisations include: - charities; - voluntary and community organisations; - social enterprises and cooperatives; - 'Think tanks' and private research institutes (this does not include universities and colleges); and - some organisations, such as housing associations, have been spun off from government and are considered quasi-third sector groups, even though they deliver public services. In Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities (DfC), is the government agency currently tasked with overseeing and managing the relationship between the Third Sector and the government. What does the Third Sector do? Typically most Third Sector organisations dedicate themselves either to a particular issue which needs solving (e.g. prison reform or homelessness); or to a particular group in society (e.g. ex-offenders or victims of domestic violence) who require support and representation. They may provide services related to these issues (e.g. running a women's shelter, or providing legal advice) in the past due to an absence of public provided services, although now they are often funded by government (86% of Third Sector bodies in Northern Ireland receive some government funding). Some organisations (particularly think tanks and research institutes) may work on a wider range of issues, with a local, national or global focus. As well as delivering direct services, Third Sector groups will commission or carry out research into subjects that affect the groups and issues they deal with. They also aim to raise public awareness shape public policy through public campaigns, lobbying politicians and influencing government officials. Funding landscape -- When compared to the state of the Sector as reported in the 2013 CJI report A review of the Voluntary and Community Sector's involvement in the Northern Ireland criminal justice system. Third Sector Chief Executives in 2018 said financial pressures were the most challenging they had faced with difficult decisions giving rise to redundancies, reduced working hours and consolidation of offices and regional centres. Yet, the demand for services to young people and children, victims of domestic and sexual violence, offenders with substance abuse issues and support for offenders in the community had increased. The latest Ulster Bank and CO3 Third Sector Index showed that nearly 60% of Third Sector leaders expect it to shrink over the next three years with 28% reporting cash flow problems in 2017. According to the Index, more than 75% of leaders say that the lack of a Northern Ireland Executive is harming their organisations, bringing funding issues, a lack of decision-making and uncertainty. Over 70% said they expected the political situation here to become less stable, while two-thirds said they expect the economic situation to deteriorate. Between 2009 and 2014 funding to the Third Sector fell by 33% from L742 million to L574 million with an estimated 6,127 bodies operating in the sector. The mix of funding remained diverse with key contributors being Central Government (34%), statutory bodies and other agencies (34%) and public donations (30%). Funding from the European Union (EU); Big Lottery and philanthropic trusts remained generally stable over this period, although there is uncertainty over EU funding and a major funder Atlantic Philanthropies, has gradually withdrawn. On a positive note, the Third Sector was adept at attracting funding and the diversity of funding sources was a particular strength. The Fresh Start (now known as Tackling Paramilitarism) and Social Investment Fund (SIF) initiatives provided additional resources. At the time of this inspection the Department of Justice (DoJ) was proposing a full cost recovery funding model that would eventually replace the current system whereby certain bodies received core funding as well as project funding. This aimed to achieve better value for money and greater transparency. The DoJ model included a transition phase to cushion organisations against a sudden loss of core funding as well as co-ordinating other departments' funding approaches to create a level playing field. There were some critics of this approach who stated that losing core funding would have a negative impact on the Third Sector's capacity to delivery advocacy, critical challenge and leveraging of additional funding. Details: Belfast: Author, 2019. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2019 at: http://cjini.org/getattachment/10b06492-2ec0-4566-b608-6adabd822563/report.aspx Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://cjini.org/getattachment/10b06492-2ec0-4566-b608-6adabd822563/report.aspx Shelf Number: 155686 Keywords: Charitable TrustsVoluntary AgenciesVoluntary and Community Organizations Volunteers in Criminal Justice |