Step 1: Initiate Considerations: Benefits: Strategic Needs Analysis Mandate for action Identification of partners Communication strategy Clarity around the identification and assessment of need. Identification of governance and challenge mechanism. Stakeholder engagement. Improved connectivity and communication. Step 2: Investigate Considerations: Benefits: Establish why the commissioning exercise is necessary. Evidence base and gap analysis covering: Assets Service Quality and internal drivers Delivery networks – relationship of stakeholders and key organisations Hard data National, international and political context Thorough investigation: Assists in interpreting complexity Enriches understanding of a situation Reveals value by considering a problem or scenario in different ways Encourages the potential for innovation Leads to better understanding of issues and ways to mitigate risk Facilitates more informed decisions – data into wisdom PLAN Step 3: Collaborate Considerations: Benefits: Identify potential for collaboration. Ensure key partners are engaged and can shape future provision. Utilise professional knowledge of Service Managers. Draw on expertise of others key to the process – contract manager, budget holder, procurement specialist etc. Consultation with service users and other stakeholders including market engagement. What does success look like? – Criteria and expected outcomes. Reduced workloads, improved levels of information through shared governance, monitoring arrangements etc. Ownership of solution developed. Proactively shape the market – including when the obligation and/or resource to meet need lies outside of the Council’s direct control. Embeds performance management and evaluation of impact in process. Step 4: Incubate Considerations: Benefits: Develop rigorous business case. Draft key documents and consult. Develop service specifications, contracts, prospectus and/or purchasing depending upon commissioning solution. Clearly defined: Purpose Target groups Partners Quality assurance process Disputes and complaints Funding Measureable outcomes Exit strategy
DO Step 5: Negotiate Considerations: Benefits: Begin procurement process or implementation of delivery plan. Secure suitable providers. Become more systematic and consistent in our approach. Facilitates a common approach that can be used when commissioning independently or on a joint basis with partners. Transparency Market testing Step 6: Activate Considerations: Benefits: Transition of service and/or staff prior to delivery of “new” service? Delivery of “new” service begins. Early contract review to ensure expectations continue to be matched and to consider early “teething” issues. Survey key stakeholders. High level analysis and planning facilitates smoother project implementation. Opportunity to “iron out” any early issues identified – correct the course of action. Establish base line against future monitoring can be compared. REVIEW Step 7: Consolidate Considerations: Benefits: Implement contract monitoring/quality assurance process at regular review points. Process to determine if: Outcomes are being delivered How stakeholders feel about the service Review general market performance Building levels of evaluation data on both quantitative and qualitative levels Step 8: Evaluate Considerations: Benefits: Analyse service performance and effectiveness of commissioning activity Implement a process that: Enables a holistic view of providers performance Ensure that the views of children and young people will be considered and acted upon Is proportionate and adds Where appropriate providers will be engaged and supported Lessons learnt Evidence base on local need relevant and up to date? Demonstrates effectiveness and accountability. Ensures quality services and delivering good and improving outcomes. Ensures providers are consistently meeting and exceeding minimum standards Ensures providers are compliant with contractual requirements How we Apply the Commissioning Cycle
Appendix 1 – Strategic Delivery Plan Ref Action Phase of Commissioning Cycle Service Area Time Scale 1. To support the delivery of the children’s centre implementation plan by completing the commissioning exercise that seeks to identify a provider who will deliver a sustainable child focussed offer from identified premises. Analyse/Plan Help and Prevention Contract award by April 16 2. To review the strategy for children’s centre delivery beyond contract expiry in March 17 Review Early Help and Prevention Strategy development by 16. Implementation by April 17. 3. Delivery of commissioned services to support aims of Northumberland’s Supporting Families Partnership Do Help and Prevention Delivery between 16 and March 18. 4. Contract monitoring and evaluation in respect of Independent Fostering Agency Framework Do/Review Looked After Children Delivery between April 15 and April 18/19. 5. Undertake options analysis to consider developing a framework to replace the current approved provider list for the provision of children’s residential care homes Review/Analyse Looked After Children Options analysis by April 15. Implementation plan to be developed with sub regional colleagues. 6. Undertake an evaluation exercise in connection with the existing Care Leavers and Young Homeless Supported Accommodation Framework Review/Analyse Looked After Children Undertake evaluation by June 16. Develop commissioning strategy for replacements services prior to contract expiry in September 17. 7. Undertake an evaluation exercise in connection with the existing Short Break Respite Services for Disabled Children Framework Review/Analyse Services for Disabled Children Undertake evaluation by June 16. Develop commissioning strategy for replacements services prior to contract expiry in June17. 8. Complete tender process in connection with term time and/or holiday play and activity schemes for disabled children framework. Do Services for Disabled Children Contract award by Easter 16. 9. Complete tender process in connection with DfE registered, non-maintained and independent schools and colleges – day and residential placements Do Education Support Contract by February 16.