centre for partnership

To live our partnership values and brand we have worked closely in partnership with Sutton Smith Limited to develop the Centre for Partnership and the Partnership Standard ©. This is a formal agreement (Limited Liability Partnership) between Incommunities and Sutton Smith to enable us to work with other organisations and monitor the progress and associated risks of such a partnership.

Since the Centre for Partnership was founded, it has worked with around 40 organisations to support the creation of sustainable
partnerships. The partnerships operate in housing, health and education sectors.

The Partnership Standard © measures achievements against a fixed criteria devised by the Centre for Partnership:

          - Clearly stated objectives which are mutually agreed 
          - Value adding and synergistic working 
          - Shared values and behaviours 
          - Partner organisations recognise the contribution of all members of the partnership 
          - Provides learning opportunities 
          - Positive, measurable impact on stakeholders 
          - Positive, measurable impact on equality and diversity 
          - Effectiveness is reviewed

Key elements of the standard include: 

          - A partnership template, to ascertain if the partnership adds value to its members, stakeholders and community 
          - External assessors determine accreditation of the partnership 
          - There are three measures of attainment: commitment, getting started and partnership in action 
          - Areas for improvement must be indentified (validating assessment report and action plan) 
          - Opportunity for continued learning and development in seeking a higher level of accreditation 
          - The Partnership Standard © is endorsed by the National Housing Federation

Using The Centre For Partnership and The Partnership Standard ©: 

          - Reduces the time incurred exploring setting up a partnership 
          - Develops a high level strategic infrastructure for the partnership 
          - Identifies and addresses conflicts and tensions which are potentially harmful in partnerships 
          - Reduced financial expenditure due to economies of scale through the joint provision of services 
          - Efficient and effective organisational infrastructure designs and resourcing to take the partnership forward 
          - Build strong relationships between key players 
          - Accredited partnerships enhance stakeholders confidence in the partnerships they deal with 
          - Promotes learning about partnerships for managers and staff in partnership organisations


Some of our successful partnerships

Firebird JVC: a partnership set up in 2006, brought us together with Accent, Leeds Federated Housing Association, Manningham
Housing Association and Unity Housing Association. The partners all have the same equity holding in Firebird JVC which exists to
secure development funding for building new affordable homes in Bradford and Leeds. Since its creation the partnership has successfully secured funding which has increased the supply of affordable homes in the region.

The Leeds Bradford Corridor Partnership: was conceived in 2007 to participate in the Housing Corporation’s Challenge Funding
competition to secure funding for new affordable housing. The scheme also made a significant impact on unemployment in the communities involved. The partnership united the local authorities of both Leeds and Bradford along with Accent,  West North West Homes Leeds’ ALMO.

The Intuition Partnership : This learning and research partnership brought together both private and public sector expertise. Access Matrix, Sadeh Lok, Aire Valley Homes Leeds and Dutton Dodd Consultants combined with us to assist in the provision of cost effective training, research and housing consultancy.