NHS GM Commissioning Principles: A commitment to the VCFSE sector
In July 2026, NHS Greater Manchester shared a report that sets out a direction of travel for supporting and collaborating with the VCFSE sector, recognising the sectors vital role in the city-region, following a campaign led by the GM VCFSE Leadership Group.
This report from NHS GM comes following the GM VCFSE Leadership Group’s letter to Greater Manchester commissioners on the instability of the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector following years of systemic issues, underfunding, disinvestment, delayed commissioning decisions, and new financial pressures.
The report, shaped by conversations at the GM VCFSE Leadership Group’s Commissioning and Investment sub-group, outlines NHS GM’s renewed commitment to the VCFSE sector through a set of commissioning and contracting principles that look to align with the GMCA and VCFSE Fair Funding Protocol. These principles aim to address the financial and operational instability affecting the sector and to reinforce its role as a strategic partner, in line with the GM VCFSE Accord.
The principles are built around practical changes to support the sustainability and stability of the sector by promoting parity and equality with other providers, increasing transparency in decision-making, and involving the VCFSE sector meaningfully in commissioning processes. NHS GM pledges to offer longer-term contracts, fairer funding practices, and clearer communication, while also recognising the unique role and contribution of VCFSE organisations.
This framework marks a significant step toward a more equitable, collaborative and resilient partnership between NHS GM and the VCFSE sector, especially during a time of financial challenge and sector fragility.
Commissioning for inclusion
Within the report is an approach called Commissioning for Inclusion, which wasoriginally approved in 2020 to better serve vulnerable and marginalised groups. It emphasises that the effectiveness of public services should be measured by how well they identify and meet the needs of people with complex requirements or those at risk of exclusion. The model relies on fully utilising all parts of the service delivery system, particularly the VCFSE sector, which plays a vital role in reaching these communities.
In the report, NHS GM proposes to reinvigorate this approach under the newly adopted commissioning principles. The work is expected to be largely carried out at a neighbourhood level with some activities taking place at a GM-level, especially in developing specialist service and working with communities whose needs don’t fit traditional service models.
