Mainstreaming the commissioning of local services to address violence against women and girls

Following the publication of the cross-government strategy Together we can end violence against women and girls on 25 November 2009, we've produced draft commissioning guidance to support local commissioners and partnerships. It will help them develop the best approach to commissioning services to prevent violence against women and girls, protect victims and potential victims and provide services to victims and perpetrators in local areas.

The guidance draws on existing good practice, on guidance offered by other government departments and the latest thinking about the strategic role of local councils in leading commissioning for their localities. With so many agencies and budgets contributing to provide services there are real risks of lack of ownership, duplication and poor links between services leading to an ineffective allocation of resources with money being spent on expensive interventions when simpler joint preventative and protective strategies could reduce future needs and costs. It is organised into five sections:

• getting the right people involved through a 'whole system approach'
• using intelligence to understand need and set priorities
• staying in the mainstream by reframing service priorities
• getting good value by following the money and working with providers
• holding services and commissioning to account.

The consultation questions can be found on page 5 of the document.

This is a public consultation and anyone who wishes to do so may comment. However we would particularly like to invite views from:

• Councillors and Chief Officers from Local Authorities
• Local Strategic Partnership Boards
• Children's Trust Boards and Directors of Children's Services
• NHS Trusts and Chief Executives
• Police Authorities and Chief Constables
• Strategic Housing Authorities and Registered Social Landlords
• Organisations providing services for victims of violence against women and girls
• Organisations representing women who are vulnerable to violence
• Active voluntary sector organisations

• Reference number: VAWG
• Issued: 22 Dec 2009
• Opening date: 22 Dec 2009
• Closing date: 15 Mar 2010

How to respond

Please send your response to: