Third sector interfaces, also known as TSIs play an important role in the third sector landscape.

“They are a key point of intelligence about local third sector organisations and volunteering. They understand the local landscape and how it affects the third sector's ability to contribute to local outcomes and national strategies (such as health and social care and community empowerment).

They are well positioned to identify support needs for local community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and around volunteering.

TSIs can identify third sector issues and perspectives that can feed into both local and national policy.”

Click here to read more on the Scottish Government's view of TSIs

Click here to access a list of TSIs

The Statutory Guidance for Children's Services Planning makes specific reference to the TSIs in their role to facilitate broader consultation and planning process, mediating or co-ordinating responses from across the third sector. (Section 10: 90)

The same Guidance also suggests that the local TSI could offer smaller groups and organisations a range of opportunities to provide assistance, allowing the groups and organisations to determine their own level of engagement. (Section 14: 146)

Many TSIs facilitate a local Children’s Services Forum to enable third sector organisations to engage collectively with the strategic planning and delivery of local children’s services. In addition, many offer networking and training events for local third sector service providers.

To find out what your local TSI has on offer, or how you could engage with children’s services planning, contact them directly.

Click here to access the contact information