This document discusses commissioning and the role of councillors. It defines commissioning as procurement, strategic planning, and monitoring of services. The document notes tensions between theory, which envisions involvement of third sector organizations (TSOs) in all commissioning stages, and practice, where TSOs may not be fully involved. It also discusses the push since 2010 to diversify providers and decentralize services. The document outlines challenges including mutual understanding between public and third sectors and ensuring TSOs are involved throughout the commissioning cycle. It suggests questions councillors should ask to help amplify the strategic role of TSOs in commissioning.

1. The Commissioning Agenda and
the New Role for Councillors
James Rees
TSRC
Funded by:
Hosted by:

2. What is commissioning?
Procurement Commissioning
• Discussion and
decision about
whether to
make or buy
• Purchasing
• Contracting
Source: Institute of
Purchasing Care

3. Joint
Strategic Commissioning
Commissioning
• Best outcomes for
users
Intelligent •Value for money
Commissioning services
•Partnership working
with third sector and
service users
‘World Class’
Commissioning Outcomes
Commissioning

4. Analysis
TSOs input
Monitoring Intelligent Planning
Involve service users commissioning
Shape services
Delivery /
Procurement
Source: NAVCA

5. But!
• Commissioning is too often synonymous with
Procurement
• Real diversity in practice between places, and
within councils
• Theory is that TSOs are involved in all the
stages, but in practice… are they?

6. Changes since the 2010 election
“our vision is for public services that revolve around each
of us”
Diversity of
Choice Decentralisation
providers
Competition?
• Remember the Big Society?
• Increasingly urgent push to reshape public services
• Deficit reduction / efficiency
• Diversifying and shaping the market
• Open Public Services White Paper (July 2011)
– Hierarchy of commissioned services….

7. TSRC research
Accountability
‘Commissioned’ Employment Services
Criminal Justice
Fairness
Partnership working
Diversity
Neighbourhood Housing Services
Decentralisation
Individual Health & social care Choice

8. What does the third sector offer?
• Understanding clients/user groups
• Closer to communities
• Trusted by users
• Values and mission
• Innovative
• Well known mantra but not so well evidenced!

9. Through the looking glass(es)
•Fragmented and
Public sector confusing third sector
looks ‘out’ and sees •Lack of professionalism?
Third sector not ‘commissioning ready’
•Bureaucracy and silos
•Lack of understanding Third sector
of what 3S offers looks ‘up’ and sees
Public sector not ‘partnership ready’

10. The sticking points
1 Improve mutual understanding
– Better information and communication?
2 TSOs in the commissioning cycle
– A vicious cycle? Underfunded so under-radar
– TSOs need to be strategic for their area/users
– AND confident in what they offer
– AND, evidence it!

11. What should councillors ask?
• Is the Local Authority’s approach coherent?
• Are there pockets of good and bad practice?
• Are decision-making and governance
approaches appropriate?
• Is there sufficient oversight of commissioning
in general?
And the hard one:
• Is there a LA role for amplifying the third
sector strategic role in commissioning in
straightened times?

12. More info about TSRC research
Service Delivery:
www.tsrc.ac.uk
Tab: Research>Service Delivery
Contact James Rees
j.e.rees@bham.ac.uk