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Commissioning

Older man sitting on bench close up

Commissioning is the process used by local authorities and NHS bodies to arrange services for their local population. It is the process of translating local aspirations and assessed needs, by specifying and procuring services for the local population, into services for people that use them.

Service provision

The social care services aim to:

  • deliver the best possible social and health care and wellbeing outcomes, including promoting equality
  • provide the best possible health and social care provision
  • achieve this within the best use of available resources.

Social care commissioning

Councils with social services responsibilities are responsible for commissioning social care services for the local community according to local need.

The Government expects councils to use fair commissioning practice, and has made additional resources available. Local democratic accountability is important, empowering local solutions to local problems, and councils have been given the power and resources to address this.

Individuals should be at the centre of a commissioning process that offers them the full range of options for meeting their care needs, from which they can make a real and informed choice.

Self assessment and assisted assessment pilot

On 11 May 2006, the Department called for expressions of interest in running a pilot project on self assessment or assisted/mediated assessment for community equipment/community care services. The aim of the pilot projects is to assess whether, and in which ways, viable models of self assessment and assisted/mediated assessment can be applied to services on a large scale in order to support significant numbers of people.

Their key objectives will be to evaluate:

  • if there are improved outcomes for the people being supported
  • if self-assessment provides value for money (improved outcomes for similar expenditure), and is affordable in terms of transitional and on-going costs
  • any risks associated with individuals self-assessing risks to their own independence
  • if there are particular user groups that are likely to benefit from self-assessment.

Local councils and NHS bodies working together to commission services

NHS continuing care and nursing care services may be provided in social care settings and alongside social care services. However, these services are commissioned by NHS bodies. In order to ensure that services are provided seamlessly to service users, local authorities and NHS bodies are expect to work together to commission local services.

The Commissioning Framework for Health and Well-being is designed to help local authority, PCT and practice based commissioners to work together more effectively. This will enable them to provide services that are tailored to the needs of individuals and local communities, and to help people maintain their health, well-being and independence wherever possible.

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