Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
People at the Centre

Become a member

ALLIANCE join Third Sector Partnership Agreement Steering Group

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 28th October 2026

Chief Officer of Development Sara Redmond will represent the ALLIANCE through the process of developing the agreement.

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced its intention to develop a Third Sector Partnership Agreement. Speaking in a Scottish Parliament debate shortly after the election, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP set out the key themes that would underpin the development of the agreement:

  • Developing a partnership of equals, where the third sector actively informs and shapes policy development.
  • An independent sector, equipped to meet challenges within an effective regulatory environment.
  • Financial sustainability, potentially including multi-year funding.

Following this the Scottish Government have established a Third Sector Partnership Agreement Steering Group and invited Sara Redmond, Chief Officer of Development at the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), to join the group. Commenting on her appointment, Sara said:

“The ALLIANCE warmly welcomes the opportunity to help shape the proposed Third Sector Partnership Agreement. We have a wealth of evidence from our members about the incredible difference their services make to people’s lives, but also the serious pressures they face through restrictive funding and increased demand. Beyond the vital services delivered by our members the length and breadth of Scotland, the crucial role of the third sector in Scotland’s economy must also be fully recognised by public sector commissioning partners.

“That’s why it’s so important that we get this agreement right. I look forward to working with other third sector organisations and the Scottish Government through the Steering Group to deliver progress on fair funding and the recognition of the third sector as an equal partner in the design and delivery of public services. The ALLIANCE will also shortly begin coordinating a leadership network of our members, providing a further opportunity to gather sector insight and engage on key issues, including the proposed Third Sector Partnership Agreement.”

The full membership list of the Steering Group is available on the Scottish Government’s website. Additional information including meeting minutes will also be published there.

End of page.

You may also like:

Back to all news