Commissioning in Bristol and your organisation Voscur’s Funding Fair, 20 October 2010 Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer
Commissioning in Bristol and your organisation 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Commissioning in Bristol 3. Is your organisation ready? 4. Discussion: questions, concerns 5. How to find out more
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2. Commissioning in Bristol > What is it?
Commissioning: a broad concept – many definitions – key themes • a cycle • strategic • understanding of community needs • setting priorities/strategies to meet those needs • securing services from providers (any sector) • monitoring against outcomes for people/ communities • requirement to consult with people/ communities and involve stakeholders in process 3
2. Commissioning in Bristol > What is it? Bristol City Council has adopted the Audit Commission’s definition: “Commissioning is the process of specifying, securing and monitoring services to meet people’s needs at a strategic level. This applies to all services, whether they are provided by the local authority, NHS, other public agencies, or by the private and voluntary sectors.” Strengths: • it is strategic: an ongoing cycle with four stages (analyse-plan-doreview) rather than a one-off activity • it recognises the importance of meeting the needs* of groups/ communities/ populations at a strategic level rather than thinking about a single service • it considers meeting needs with services provided by public, private or VCSE organisations * Outcome: overall change or benefit that happens as a result of your work 4
2. Commissioning in Bristol > Commissioning cycle
Adopted by Bristol City Council’s Enabling Commissioning Framework (from Institute of Public Care)
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2. Commissioning in Bristol > Example process: VCS Support Service Outcomes: 1. The Bristol VCS has increased Capacity, Sustainability and Quality 2. The Bristol VCS is well-informed and well-connected 3. Bristol VCS groups have a strong and influential voice 4. The Bristol VCS has Strategic Involvement 5. Bristol VCS groups contribute effectively to meeting the changing needs of communities in the city 3 years (or 5 with contract variation) Size of contract: ÂŁ453,000 Method: competitive grant process 6
2. Commissioning in Bristol > Example process: VCS Support Service Expression of Interest (PreQualification Questionnaire) issued
28 June 2010
PQQ return deadline
2 August 2010, 12noon
PQQ assessment
2 Aug – 5 Sept
Proposal invited
6 Sept
Proposals return deadline
17 October, 12noon
Evaluation of proposals
18 Oct – 17 Nov
Results of proposals
17 Nov
Feedback period
18 – 21 Nov
Funding agreement negotiation
22 Nov – February 2011
Funding agreement start date
21 Feb 2011
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2. Commissioning in Bristol > Who are the commissioners? Commissioners are people working in the public sector that are involved in services that are delivered by providers from all sectors (public, private and VCSE). There are many commissioners and you need to work out which are relevant to your service/outcome/users. The public sector agencies involved in commissioning in Bristol include: • Bristol City Council • NHS Bristol • Bristol PCT • Avon & Somerset Constabulary • Avon Fire & Rescue • Avon & Wilts Mental Health Partnership • Others – regional and national public sector bodies that commission services provided in Bristol – e.g. National Offender Management Service
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2. Commissioning in Bristol > Bristol developments Select Committee on Third Sector Commissioning – recommendations 1 – Championing the Third Sector Corporate responsibility for the Third Sector should be undertaken by a Cabinet Member and that a team of Compact Champions be established at senior level in all directorates. 2 – Commissioning and Grants There should be a clear and unequivocal statement… that the Council is committed to a “mixed economy” which includes commissioning, competitive grant processes and direct grant-funding. 4 – Co-ordination, Monitoring and Evaluation The Enabling Commissioning Programme Board should coordinate our commissioning processes, assessing their impact on the sector, developing coordinated information and lead funder arrangements, information sharing and risk management. 6 – Support during the Commissioning Cycle VCS organisations should be involved throughout the cycle – may need support.
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2. Commissioning in Bristol > Bristol developments Select Committee on Third Sector Commissioning – recommendations 7 – Capacity Building … strategic/business planning, risk management, policies and procedures, training needs assessment and planning, accreditation/quality standards, governance and legal issues. 8 – Improving Communications The council should develop the way it communicates Third Sector commissioning opportunities e.g. through the web, Bristol e-Procurement System (BePS), infrastructure partners, direct mailings, open days. There is a need to coordinate and publish our ‘commissioning intentions’ well in advance so that Third Sector organisations are able to actively participate in all stages of the commissioning of services. 10 – Decommissioning 11 – The Enabling Commissioning Framework The detailed guidance which needs to accompany the Enabling Commissioning Framework should be developed in conjunction with representatives from the Third Sector. This will ensure that it is accessible and fit for purpose. The guidance should incorporate the principles of Intelligent Commissioning and the Bristol Compact. 10
2. Commissioning in Bristol > Bristol developments
Things to look out for: • VCS Strategy • Enabling Commissioning Framework • Corporate Commissioning & Procurement Strategy, including ‘commissioning intentions’
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3. Is your organisation ready?
• Work in pairs • Checklist • 20 minutes • Report back major issues/questions
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5. How to find out more • visit the new Bristol Compact website (www.bristolcompact.org.uk) which provides information on commissioning, Compact issues and events. • register on Bristol E-Procurement System (easy and you only need to register once) • network at conferences and seminars to keep informed, get your voice heard and form relationships with other groups • identify key contacts and build relationships with them • join networks and listen for opportunities/developments • subscribe to Voscur, BDA and The Care Forum’s e-bulletins • sign up for training and support from Bristol Compact designed to enable VCSE organisations to participate in commissioning. • NAVCA Tender Support Project – www.voscur.org > More in Compact training events 13
5. How to find out more > Compact training events
Commissioning and Outcomes
– 2nd November
Commissioning for Beginners
– 17th November
Different Ways of Collaboration
– January
Costing your Project
– February
Getting ready to Tender
– February
Booking: www.voscur.org
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What does your organisation need to be commissioned? • Evidence of the needs of your service users • Evidence of service user involvement in your organisation’s decisionmaking processes • ‘Baseline standards’ of Bristol City Council* • Appropriate legal structure • Financial reports or audited accounts • Minimum level of financial management • Equal opportunities • Compliance with employment law • Relevant insurance (public/employer/professional) • Complaints procedure • Confidentiality • Commitment to monitoring and evaluation • Appropriate and competent governance • Health & Safety, Child Protection, Vulnerable Adults * NB. Not an exhaustive list – can change per commission/er
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Commissioning in Bristol and your organisation Thank you.
Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer mark@voscur.org 0117 909 9949