About Us

What is 3SC?

3SC is a social enterprise that has proven success and expertise in building and managing supply chains of SMEs, primarily third sector organisations, across the UK to deliver quality public services.

 

We have been assessed against the supply chain management standard, Merlin. The assessment outcome was ‘Excellent’ recognising the sustainable excellence of our structured approach to supply chain management and positive partnership working with our delivery partners.

 

3SC’s Vision

3SC’s vision is of SMEs, particularly third sector organisations delivering an increasing share of public services and a greater amount of social impact.

 

To realise the achievement of our vision, 3SC manages and wins contracts on behalf of SMEs, primarily voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations using a mutually beneficial collaborative and partnership-based business model.

 

All have a vital role to play in the delivery of public services which can be a difficult and competitive marketplace, dominated by large commercial organisations.

 

The size and complexity of the tendering process and increasingly demanding contracts can make it difficult for SMEs, particularly third sector organisations, to compete on their own. 3SC gives these organisations a chance to compete for, and ultimately deliver, such contracts.

 

The principal activity of 3SC is public service delivery but we also offer other services including a membership programme, all of which have a clear social impact.

 

3SC’s History

Since 3SC’s inception we have supported and enabled the third sector to access more than £92 million. In 2020-2021 alone we supported our supply chains to access just under £8 million. We have also delivered 27 major contracts for a wide range of Central and Local Government commissioners, including Welsh Government, in the justice, young people, disabilities and employability arenas.

 

We have worked with more than 2209 delivery partners in our supply chains and the impact of our work has been to:

• Work with 190,000 people referred to a 3SC programme;
• Support 13,468 people into work;
• Support 4,314 people with a health condition or disability stay in work, supporting nearly 200 people in 2020-2021;
• Help 8,353 young people secure a better future.

 

We believe that the needs of people using public services – especially those who are hardest to reach – are best met by experienced, local, passionate and mission-driven organisations.