Information and tools

The Collaborative Working Team has developed a range of good practice tools and guidance material, to assist those wishing to embark on collaborative projects.

• Introduction to collaborative working
• Frequently asked questions 
• Should you collaborate? Key questions 
• Joint working agreements
• Staffing a collaborative project
• ICT tools to support collaborative working
• Due diligence

Introduction to collaborative working

Collaborative working: partnership between voluntary organisations is a short introduction that covers the wider context and different types of collaborative working, as well as addressing the benefits and risks of joint working. It also introduces the aims and services of the Collaborative Working Team at NCVO.

• Read Collaborative working 

Should you collaborate?

Should you collaborate? Key questions is a checklist to help organisations decide whether to embark on formal collaborative working or merger. It identifies the key issues which organisations need to consider, giving an idea where problems and complications might lie and enabling them to make informed decisions. The checklist is a useful first step for the managers and trustees of voluntary and community organisations and those advising them.

• Read Should you collaborate? Key questions 

Joint working agreements

Joint working agreements provides information on developing formal written agreements for voluntary and community sector organisations choosing to work collaboratively. It identifies key areas to include in a joint working agreement, such as monitoring the partnership project, dispute resolution and communicating with partners.

• Read Joint working agreements 

Staffing a collaborative project

Staffing a collaborative project provides good practice guidance for voluntary and community organisations on staffing a collaborative project. It explores the benefits of different staffing models, addresses line management, reporting structures and other key points, and includes a range of case studies. The publication was produced jointly by the Collaborative Working Unit and UK Workforce Hub.

• Read Staffing a collaborative project 
• Read case studies on staffing a collaborative project

The UK Workforce Hub offers information and guidance on HR and good employment practice to help voluntary and community organisations to attract, develop and retain the staff and volunteers they need. For further information, please visit www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk.

ICT tools to support collaborative working

ICT tools to support collaborative working identifies key areas where ICT may help your collaboration. ICT has great potential for enabling collaboration, especially for projects which involve multiple partners over large geographical distances. It examines a variety of ICT tools, looks at the benefits and pitfalls of each and is illustrated with case studies of voluntary and community sector experience of ICT. This information, which was produced jointly by the Collaborative Working Unit and the ICT Hub, is available on the NCVO ICT Development Services website.

• Read ICT tools to support collaborative working 
• Read full case studies on ICT tools to support collaborative working

NCVO provides source of trusted information and guidance on ICT to enable civil sector organisations to operate more effectively. For further information, please visit www.icthub.org.uk.