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IX.
Commissioning Principles
Commissioning is a broad concept and there are many definitions. A simple
way of describing commissioning is as an ongoing process used to decide
which products or services are needed to deliver desired outcomes for
people. It includes decisions about how to obtain services that offer the best
value for citizens and taxpayers and how to monitor and evaluate these
services.
Most definitions of commissioning paint a picture of a cycle of activities at a
strategic level. Commissioning services encompasses the entire cycle of:
assessing the needs of people in a local area,
designing services
delivering services
reviewing services
In the development of any service focussed on our citizens a useful service
commissioning road map can be found within the Welsh Government’s
commissioning principles for social care as set out in its Fulfilled Lives;
Supportive Communities – Commissioning Framework (see section 4).
This emphasises the importance of:
a) The need to focus on client group needs across agencies.
b) The process of analysis, planning, security of service and review are
equally important.
c) The activities following sequentially.
d) Commissioning driving funding methodology
e) The need for the procurement experience to inform the ongoing
development of the commissioning strategy.
f) An on-going dialogue with service users/carers, case/care managers,
providers and the third sector.
It is expected that these best practice principles are applied to wider
commissioning to ensure full engagement in each stage of the Institute of
Public Care’s commissioning cycle described above, of Analyse; Plan; Secure
Services; Review.
Welsh Government commits to upholding these principles in its
commissioning of services from the Third Sector. And when facilitating the
provision of services by others from the Third Sector, through specific funding
programmes, the Welsh Government will require them to adhere to these
principles.
It is expected that Third Sector organisations commit to engage fully in
commissioning processes.
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