As austerity has hit, many councils have been paring back their social care and other people-focused services, looking primarily on statutory services and on those with the highest need. Councils are increasingly looking to the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to support those with moderate or low needs and ensure that impact on the health, wellbeing and resilience (particularly of the most deprived communities) is kept to a minimum.

At the same time, and as a result of public funding cuts, the relationship between councils and the VCS is changing. Where once the council used to be predominantly a grant giver, they are now increasingly moving to a commissioner-provider relationship. This is not an easy relationship shift to make.