The Compact is a series of agreements which set out the terms of engagement between the voluntary and community sector and the public sector. All public sector bodies should be working to the principles and practices enshrined in the Compact and its codes of practice. There are national and local versions and 99% of England is now covered by a local Compact. A Commission for the Compact has been set up to learn from individual breaches of the Compact and to intervene in severe cases, while NCVO has a Compact Advocacy Programme to provide more practical support.
