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The third sector

Third Sector Strategy and Action Plan (June 2007)
This plan outlines how we can involve the third sector, including voluntary and community organisations, in our policy and delivery agenda.  

The third sector describes a range of institutions which occupy the space between the state and the private sector. These include local community and voluntary groups; large and small registered charities; foundations; trusts; and the growing number of social enterprises and cooperatives.

Third sector organisations share common characteristics in:

  • Social, environmental and cultural objectives that they pursue

  • Reinvestment of surpluses for those objectives

  • Their independence from government

Click to read more about the third sector on the Office of the Third Sector website.

The Third Sector Forum

The former DfES (now the Department for Children, Schools and Families) established the Third Sector Forum in July 2006 to increase opportunities for the engagement of the third sector in children and young people's services. Its core membership is drawn from voluntary and community organisations. Membership also includes representatives from schools; the DfES; the Office of the Third Sector; the Department of Health; the Department of Communities and Local Government; and the Government Office for London.

It was co-chaired by Parmjit Dhanda, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families, and Clare Tickell, the Chief Executive of NCH. It met in July and October 2006, and is due to meet every three months up to and including July 2007. Minutes of Third Sector Forum meetings are available below.

Documents

Voluntary and Community Sector Engage Report - DCSF Third Sector Capacity Building Programme - July 2007

Third Sector Forum Meeting Note - 8 May 2007

Third Sector Forum Meeting Note - 22 January 2007

Third Sector Forum Meeting Note - 23 October 2006

Third Sector Forum Meeting Presentation - October 2006

Third Sector Forum Meeting Note - 17 July 2006

 

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This page was last updated on 27 July 2007

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