A Health and Social Care Compact (pdf 432kb) has been developed jointly by the Voluntary Sector and Adult Services.  It sets out principles as to how the two sectors can work together on key issues such as funding, communication, consultation and training.

The 1990 NHS and Community Care Act brought in social policy changes, which encouraged Local Authorities to become enablers rather than providers of services. Many voluntary organisations now receive funding from Adult Services to provide mainstream services on behalf of the council.