Commissioning Framework

This framework and toolkit sets out an agreed strategy for commissioning activities at all levels across the Southend Children's Partnership. It will guide not just commissioners but also apply to those providing services and working with children and families across Southend, and will identify where support and help is available to develop skills and capabilities within the commissioning arena.

Along with its suite of integral documents and other tools it outlines processes and governance arrangements for the effective procurement, monitoring and review of all services commissioned for children and young people in Southend, and is intended to benchmark current and future commissioning activity and decisions, promoting minimum standards and consistency of practice.

The suite of integral documents include:

• Commissioning Principles and Standards:
  These set the 'ground rules' for commissioning practice, guiding the way activity should happen.
• Commissioning Toolkit which will include the following main components. (There are also case studies, possible tools, example templates and links to further reading):
  • Outcomes Guidance and Tools:
    This toolkit introduces the concept of commissioning outcomes focused services for children and young people. It gives explanations and examples of outcomes, along with links to further reading and suggested example templates for use in commissioning processes.
  • Value for Money (VfM) Guidance and Tools
    The issue of achieving good value for money whilst delivering excellent services for children and young people has never been more key. This toolkit offers explanations of issues to consider along with examples of how the principles of VfM may be applied in 'people' focused services, and links strongly with the Outcomes section above.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Guidance and Tools
    This strategy provides a plan for how commissioned services will be monitored and evaluated. This includes identifying rights, responsibilities and requirements in respect of commissioned providers and other stakeholder roles.
  • A revised participation/engagement strategy will be available by early 2011 to additionally complement these documents. (There are also links to the community engagement strategy produced by Southend Together)

The suite of documents are intended to promote a new way of thinking and working when considering, procuring and commissioning services for children and young people. They are intended to complement existing work plans and priorities, including those articulated in the CYPP, by encouraging a systematic, quality and evidence led approach to 'what works', and further, to consider the best use of resources when doing this. It is not about what is the cheapest option, but of what is the best option given all the issues and evidence in understanding what will stimulate the environment where success is achievable for all children in Southend.

The 4 step model of commissioning

The simplest commissioning model is shown to the right; and breaks down into four stages.

Within each of these stages are commissioning 'tasks'. Many of these tasks are being carried out in part or in their entirety by commissioners, at varying levels of detail. 

The four stages can be seen below. By clicking on each of the four stages commissioners will be able to access information, guidance and templates within the toolkit, to help inform and improve their commissioning work; a Toolkit introduction explains this in more detail.

This framework is recommending that the commissioning cycle should be followed more methodically and completely, proportionate to the size or value of the contract or provision being considered.

Please see the Full Commissioning Framework 2010 for more details on the full background behind this framework and toolkit.