Mark Hubbard,Compact Liaison Officer

Commissioning in Bristol and your

organisationVoscur’s Funding Fair, 20 October 2010

2

1. Welcome & Introductions

2. Commissioning in Bristol

3. Is your organisation ready?

4. Discussion: questions, concerns

5. How to find out more

Commissioning in Bristol and your organisation

3

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

2. Commissioning in Bristol> What is it?

4

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-do-review) 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

2. Commissioning in Bristol> What is it?

5

Adopted by Bristol City Council’s Enabling Commissioning Framework

(from Institute of Public Care)

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Commissioning cycle

6

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: £453,000

Method: competitive grant process

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Example process: VCS Support Service

7

Expression of Interest (Pre-Qualification 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

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Example process: VCS Support Service

8

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

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Who are the commissioners?

9

Select Committee on Third Sector Commissioning – recommendations

1 – Championing the Third SectorCorporate 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 GrantsThere 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 EvaluationThe 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 CycleVCS organisations should be involved throughout the cycle – may need support.

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Bristol developments

10

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 CommunicationsThe 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 FrameworkThe 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.

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Bristol developments

11

Things to look out for:

• VCS Strategy

• Enabling Commissioning Framework

• Corporate Commissioning & Procurement Strategy, including ‘commissioning intentions’

2. Commissioning in Bristol> Bristol developments

12

• Work in pairs

• Checklist

• 20 minutes

• Report back major issues/questions

3. Is your organisation ready?

13

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

14

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

15

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 decision-making 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

Thank you.

Commissioning in Bristol and your organisation

Mark Hubbard,Compact Liaison Officermark@voscur.org 0117 909 9949