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The Challenges Facing VCFSEs in Integrated Care Systems: A Qualitative Case Study of a Unitary Authority in England Cover

The Challenges Facing VCFSEs in Integrated Care Systems: A Qualitative Case Study of a Unitary Authority in England

Open Access
|May 2026

Figures & Tables

Table 1

Participants by size of organisation.

SIZE (BY INCOME)PARTICIPANTS
Micro1
Small10
Medium7
Large7
Major1
Information not available2
Total28
Table 2

Participants by type of organisation.

SERVICESPARTICIPANTS
Community Activities7
Children and Youth6
Care3
Environmental3
Mental Health3
Children and Family2
Faith2
Disability1
Infrastructure Organisation1
Total28
Table 3

Number and percentage of voluntary sector organisations by size, 2020/21 (NCVO, 2023).

INCOMECATEGORYNUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS% OF ALL ORGANISATIONS
< £10,000Micro77,29547.14
£10,000-£100,000Small54,43133.20
£100,000-£1mMedium25,56915.59
£1m-£10mLarge5,8613.57
£10m-£100mMajor7430.45
> £100mSuper-major610.04
All organisationsTotal163,959100.00
Table 4

Challenges faced by VCFSEs involved in commissioning and public service delivery [42 and interviews].

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGESEXISTENTIAL CHALLENGES
  • Accessing and maintaining position within the commissioning system.

  • Tendering, track record, quality assurance systems, balance sheets.

  • Doubts over managerial and operational capabilities.

  • Demanding output or outcome expectations.

  • Full cost recovery.

  • Commissioners determine VCFSE activities.

  • Threats to the distinctive qualities of the sector:

    • Independence, collaborative ethos, flexibility.

    • Advocacy, commitment to mission.

  • Formalises relationships with service users.

  • Risks mission drift.

  • Intensifies competition.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.9072 | Journal eISSN: 1568-4156
Language: English
Page range: 9 - 9
Submitted on: Dec 6, 2024
Accepted on: Apr 29, 2026
Published on: May 14, 2026
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2026 Catherine Leyshon, Michael Leyshon, Shukru Esmene, Miriam Leyshon, Olly Clabburn, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.