Public Sector/Not for Profit Sectors Freelancers/Consultants?

[simbob]

I have been hovering around this site for a while now and feel brave enough to ask a question.

I am expecting my first child next March and I am at the initial thinking stages of doing some freelancing/consultancy work in public/not for profit sector. I am thinking on the lines of regeneration/community development.

I would appreciate hearing about other mumsnetters experiences in this field.

Thanks so much

Er, is this the field you work in already?

And you do know you'll still need childcare, don't you?

it is hard slog to get on "approved list" you will have initial out going costs eg presentations,travel to site,submission costs
public sector are notoriously slow how will you make do waiting on payment
who will watch lo whilst you travel and/or do presentations/mtgs

are you RICS or RIBA
have you worked in this before- do you have existing contacts

Hello - I'm freelance in the public sector and so is DP. Like MI, I'd ask what your background is - I think for us that was the vital starting point.

Hang on, I've just realised you've said both sectors. They're really quite different, you know. D'you mean third sector contracts for the public sector?

Wow! thank you for such quick responses.

I am very lucky that my mum will be retiring in April, so would be my first port of call.

This isn't my current line of work (I'm in education for day job) though have worked in public sector for many years understand sllllloooooowwww payment and the gist of approved lists.

My background to date in community development/social enterprise has been voluntary, I have good contacts that I can develop/use for initial research. I have recently been chair of successful social enterprise. No existing contracts, so would be starting from absolute scratch.

I am really at the lighbulb phase, thinking how to pursue and develop into a serious plan of action, if worth my while.

Thanks again for the prompt responses

I would imagine you'd find it very difficult to freelance/consult in a field you have no professional experience in tbh.

Regardless of sector, organisations appointing freelancers/consultants would be looking for people with bags of experience and expertise, which has usually been gained in employment within that field.

you are up against it.what is your USP compared to an established business.what exactly do you plan/hope to offer

things to really think about

professional contacts are invaluable public sector are not real risk takers.they like known names

cash flow how will you manage til they pay you
how do you cover submission/bid cost if unsuccessful

will you take a wage

admin/typing- who will do this

venue - home?is it suitable
tax - you need to tell them self employed

In the not-for-profit sector both NAVCA and NCVO have lists of consultants - the NCVO one is in book form and you would need to meet some quality standards related to previous work The NAVCA one is free so you can browse to see what other people are offering (trainers and consultants direct).

TBH, not sure how much use these lists are. I have worked freelance in nfp and public sectors (I find a reasonable amount of crossover) but most of my business came via people that already knew me or word of mouth. I did win some larger tenders, but lost more!

Try approaching your local Voluntary Action / CVS / volunteer centre / coooperative development agency for more information about your local sector and its needs - www.navca.org.uk has a director - or have a look at some of the nationals like Urban Forum, bassac, Community Matters or Development Trusts Association.

Your best bet might be building it up through the contacts that you have through your social enterprise. It's counter-intuitive in a way, but I think it's better to have a niche than to be too generalist - but that is just my experience.

I liked lots of things about working freelance but I found the unpredictability difficult with a small child, particuarly once she started school.

Good luck!

IME you need to have lots of experience in your field and have a good network of contacts.

I do consultancy for both public and third sector organisations, but my commissions tend to come through a network of senior managers and commissioners developed over more than 10 years in the field.

You would be unlikely to compete in the market if your current experience is voluntary. Why don't you start by looking for part-time paid jobs to build your CV and get your name known? Far less stressful than trying to build up a business whilst looking after your first child.

simbob - I'm in education too. I have loads of work and loads of money as a freelancer in education - is it something you'd consider?

Thank you sooo much!

fisi - something to consider, yes

consultancy was not my first option with baby at all. Just a few passing conversations triggered a lightbulb.

NSSTR - I like the part time job route if I decide to pursue this course.

good luck whatever you decide to chose.maybe play to your exisiting skills in education