Commissioning – LA perspectiveAn overview

Richenda BroadAD Integrated Working Middlesbrough Council

What I have been asked to cover

Local LA processes and how they compare to an 'ideal' commissioning process ;

Local authority  priorities, drivers, timescales etc,

What helps and hinders, Tips for the VCS

Local LA processes and how they compare to an 'ideal' commissioning process ;

Sometimes can be reactive (to costs, to demand, to policy drivers);

Sometimes can be intelligent – specifies outcomes and not prescribing processes

There needs to be agreement on the needs to be addressed; levels of need; outcomes and how will we know; timescales?And sometimes the LA may also be a provider –

not a pure model of commissioning (good)!

What Helps And Hinders

Helps Opportunity to provide

innovation and flexibility to the shape of what is delivered – thinking outside of the box;

Co-production in the development of the commissioning process

Clarity about the process – objectives and outcomes;

The existing evidence base of what works;

Hinders Governance and

tendering legislation and local arrangements – legally and organisationally determined;

Commissioning that specifies how – rather than what – and then being held to account for the what;

History of previous joint or commissioned ventures;

The local authority  priorities, drivers, timescales

Shared Town/borough priorities; Political context – local and national; Financial drivers – for there to be a mixed

economy of providers; History – previous joint working relationships; Timescales – frequently challenging where

there are longstanding issues – use of benchmarking information is key to demonstrate contribution to outcomes

Tips for VCS

Collaborate (LA/VCS/Health/etc) to provide opportunities to include smaller organisations resulting in capacity to match national providers;

Don’t wait to be asked to initiate something that you have the evidence is needed– have plans / bids on the shelf ready for bids etc;

You do not need to replicate what is already being provided – innovate and challenge;

Have confidence in the value of what you provide ;

You are doing it – we want you to do more