Third sector organisations: unique or simply other qualified providers?

Purpose -- The third sector has been promoted by progressive English governments as a provider of health and social care services for people with mental health difficulties. This article aims to consider the assumptions that lie behind these polices and reviews the evidence that third sector organisations can be said to have a "unique" role and approach. The challenges and opportunities of the current market-based reforms for the third sector are discussed. Design/methodology/approach -- The article is based on literature reviews of the third sector's role in mental health care and commissioning of third sector organisations. Findings -- The third sector delivers a range of mental health services in England, in particular those related to accommodation, advice, advocacy and employment. Its activity extends into other roles such as campaigning and development of new approaches to care and support. Evidence of the distinctiveness of the sector as a whole is limited, but there are examples of such organisations providing innovative and userled services. Market-based reforms are seen as posing a threat to smaller organisations in particular but personalised approaches (including allocation of individual budgets), outcome-based payments and a need for large-scale service redesign are seen as offering considerable opportunity for expansion. Practical implications -- For the new market to include a strong third sector will require leadership within organisations, a collaborative approach within the sector, and commissioners that understand and engage positively with the sector in all its diversity. Originality/value -- This article draws together the research literature on the third sector's engagement in mental health and the impact of market-based reforms and in doing so provides original value in the fields of mental health and third sector studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]