The Institute of Public Care [IPC] supported two strands of activity within the overall programme. They developed a commissioning framework for adult LD services across the South West region, and IPC worked with ‘pilot’ authorities to help them model and test this commissioning approach. The aim of this work was to help local authorities and Primary Care Trusts [PCTs] deliver improvements in the overall configuration of services to meet the needs of adults with learning disability through more effective local and regional commissioning arrangements.
Regional Commissioning Framework
IPC have helped agencies to develop a workbook for commissioning services for adults with learning disabilities. It offers advice, examples of best practice and guidance, and is intended for commissioners within both local authorities and PCTs.
The aim of the workbook is to help agencies adopt a common commissioning approach across organisations in the region. Specifically it explores:
- National drivers for effective commissioning of learning disability services.
- What is commissioning and what does it involve?
- Activities involved in developing and implementing a commissioning strategy.
- How commissioning has been applied as a tool for change and improved outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
Strategic Commissioning Workbook
The workbook defines the different levels of commissioning and explores self-directed support and strategic commissioning. The workbook is currently on its third draft and reflects the views of commissioners from around the region. The intention is to produce a final version of the workbook to feedback the results of the pilot sites to all commissioners in the region in the autumn of 2008.
Commissioning Strategy Pilot Authorities
As part of the SWCoE programme, IPC have been working with pilot authorities in more detail, to help them model some of the commissioning approaches outlined in the regional guidance. Working with the lead commissioners of learning disability services for the pilot authorities to plan the best use of the support time, IPC have been acting as a mentor and ‘critical friend’ to staff directly involved in the development work. For example, IPC have been working with commissioners and providers in the ex-Avon area to develop and test a methodology for outcome based contracting for learning disability services.
The findings from these pilots were disseminated across the region at an event on 1st May 2008.
