GMCVO survey on commissioning: findings

• Audience: voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations that deliver health and social care services in Greater Manchester.• Purpose: to get a ‘snapshot’ of the issues surrounding commissioning the VCS to deliver public services; to capture views on the Commissioning Framework for Health and Well-being.

• 31 organisations completed the survey• Annual income: one third of participating

organisations have an annual income of between £100,000 and £250,000.

• Almost half have 5 – 20 employees. Six organisations have less than 5 employees.

• Good geographical spread across Greater Manchester but a high proportion (42%) working in Manchester.

• Range of organisations working in mental health, BME groups, counselling, disabled groups.

Respondents: facts and figures

• Question one: do you deliver public services?

Yes: 73%

No: 27%• Question two: if not, would you

consider doing so in the future?

Yes: 67%

No: 0%

Maybe: 6%

Not applicable: 28%

Question 3: do you receive funding from any of the following sources?

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

1

Per

cent

age

Local authority grant

PCT grant

Local authority contract

PCT contract

Local authority servicelevel agreementPCT service levelagreementNone of the above

Question 4: if you do not currently deliver public services, why not?

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

1

Per

cen

tag

eWant to retainindependence

Lack of capacity andresources (e.g. staff

Insecure funding

Lack of knowledge andskills

Not applicable

Other (please specify)

Question 5: if you do deliver public services, does the funding cover the cost of that service?

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

1

Perc

enta

ge

Always

Mostly

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Don’t know

Not applicable

• Outcomes-based commissioning • More local control over services• Better partnership working, including

the VCS.• VCS organisations, particularly those

which are user-led, more involved in needs assessments and service planning through LAAs

The Commissioning Framework: a summary

• Independent sector and VCS organisations to enter the market and bid for public service contracts.

• ‘Market development’.• Develop new services to meet gaps

in provision• More time• Fair, transparent procurement

practices

The Commissioning Framework: a summary

Question 6: to what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposals in the Commissioning Framework?

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

1

Perc

enta

ge

Strongly agree

Agree in general

Not sure

Disagree in general

Strongly disagree

Not sure

• Varying levels of current engagement.• A positive response on the whole• Provider forums must be:

– independent, – clear in their remit and role, – open to newcomers and service users, – adequately funded – supported by infrastructure.

Question 7: one of the proposed actions for commissioners is to ‘establish a local provider

forum’. What are your views on this?

• Forums must NOT: – be a ‘talking shop’ – be dominated by commissioners and

larger organisations – exclude pan-borough organisations– force organisations into unnecessary

competition with one another.

Question 7: one of the proposed actions for commissioners is to ‘establish a local provider

forum’. What are your views on this?

“Good idea to share experiences and resolve common issues. Also an opportunity for commissioners to get to know providers better.”

Question 7: one of the proposed actions for commissioners is to ‘establish a local provider

forum’. What are your views on this?

“I think this is needed but it has to be truly representative and two-sided - i.e. not just a forum for commissioners to notify providers of their plans.”

Question 7: one of the proposed actions for commissioners is to ‘establish a local provider

forum’. What are your views on this?

“It will speed the process of setting us, VCS organisations, up against one another as we compete for the contract / money. The consequences of this are reasonably obvious such as reduced collaborative working”.

Question 7: one of the proposed actions for commissioners is to ‘establish a local provider

forum’. What are your views on this?

“Good idea”

Question 7: one of the proposed actions for commissioners is to ‘establish a local provider

forum’. What are your views on this?

• Less bureaucracy, simpler application process

• More flexible accreditation schemes• Opportunities clearly advertised; info

shared• Greater transparency in commissioning

process

Question 8: how could commissioning be made simpler so local VCS organisations can more easily

access public sector contracts?

• One point of contact• Support and training to build capacity and

navigate the tendering process; more time to prepare bids

• Payment in advance; development funding; full cost recovery

• Training for commissioners on how VCS organisations operate; commissioners to share info more

Question 8: how could commissioning be made simpler so local VCS organisations can more easily

access public sector contracts?

“Documents are generally overwhelming for small voluntary organisations with limited human resources and infrastructure. Community organisations need the support to capacity build.”

Question 8: how could commissioning be made simpler so that local VCS organisations can more

easily access public sector contracts?

“Less complex forms to complete. Training for commissioners on what they are commissioning. Training for VCS organisations on the commissioning process.”

Question 8: how could commissioning be made simpler so that local VCS organisations can more

easily access public sector contracts?

“Procurement based on lowest price…ultimately leads to larger organisations benefiting as they can achieve economies of scale… In such a context it is difficult for new and/or smaller providers to enter the market place.”

Question 8: how could commissioning be made simpler so that local VCS organisations can more

easily access public sector contracts?

“I don’t know”

Question 8: how could commissioning be made simpler so that local VCS organisations can more

easily access public sector contracts?

• Support from commissioners is seen as crucial

• Tendering for contracts is complicated, time-consuming and costly

• Enthusiasm for a better engagement; VCS providers keen to expand their role in public service delivery

• A willingness to work with commissioners to help tackle common problems

Key messages