A prototype framework of standards to support commissioners of adult social care assess the quality of their commissioning has been tested through a peer challenge process in three local authority pilot sites (Haringey, Nottinghamshire and Solihull).
The framework - ‘Commissioning for Better Outcomes: A Route Map’ - sets out standards for good commissioning of care and support, and is currently being refined in the light of the learning from the pilots. A case study on Commissioning for Better Outcomes is available on the Transformation Network, a joint Department for Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office initiative which aims to support and enable the transition to ‘better local services for people’ by developing, identifying and spreading evidence of what works.
‘Commissioning for Better Outcomes: A Route Map’ was developed by a team from Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) and Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) at the University of Birmingham (Dr Karen Newbigging, Catherine Mangan, Professor Jon Glasby, Robin Miller and Carol Ward) and co-designed with a project steering group coordinated by Think Local, Act Personal. Commissioned by the Local Government Association, and funded by the Department of Health. The aim of the framework is to support sector-led improvements in the quality of commissioning adult social care.