Key points

• Any partnership or contract should correspond with your organisation's core aims and objectives.
• Partnerships and contracts involve a commitment of organisational resources and staff time, and you must be confident that your organisation can sustain this.
• Do your research to ensure that there is some common ground between your organisation and prospective partners.
• If considering a contract or service-level agreement, negotiate! Don't undervalue your organisation and what it can provide.
• Networking with other organisations can give you a greater voice and expertise in dealing with potential partners and contractors.
• Remember the invisible costs of providing your service. Take account of overheads and core costs.
• Don't sign a contract unless you are sure that your organisation can meet all of its obligations.

Checklist

• Keep up to date with local authority funding priorities and policies.
• Work out written partnership agreements.
• Get legal advice before entering agreements.
• Evaluate and monitor procedures.