ACTIVITY FOUR: REVIEW

Activity Four comprises stage 9 of the commissioning process. Activity Four focuses on monitoring and reviewing services that are in place, and the processes that are used within the whole planning and commissioning process. Monitoring activity takes place throughout the year. Formal evaluation takes place from December to March.

The DH and DfES Guidance provides guidance against the stage.

Stage 9: Monitor and review: ‘Monitor and review to ensure services and the joint planning and commissioning process are working to deliver the goals set out for them’

What is involved in this activity?

Monitoring and reviewing services

1. Monitor the performance of a service

• Use the formal arrangement (eg. SLA (internal only), contract) to monitor performance criteria set ie. Data around use of the service, who is using the service, what outcomes are being achieved. Identify an officer with responsibilities for monitoring service performance against outcomes

2. Work with less efficient or effective providers to improve performance and outcomes

• Identify those services that are not meeting or are finding it difficult to meet targets set
• Work with services to help discover reasons why they are having difficulties meeting targets
• Support services to overcome these difficulties, to improve performance and outcomes

3. Complete a formal review of services

• In December begin the formal review of services
• The Quality Assurance Framework will support you in the formal review process and tools that can be used within it

Monitoring and reviewing the planning and commissioning process

1. Commissioners self-assess their use of the process

• Commissioners will have the opportunity to self-assess their use of the planning and commissioning process and identify areas of the process that perform well/not so well
• Commissioners should aim to improve their performance at these areas of the process in the following cycle
• Commissioners should forward their findings to the Children’s Trust

2. The Children’s Trust will evaluate the process

• Feedback will be sought from those using the process – commissioners and service providers
• Outcomes data will be used to determine the impact of commissioning strategies
• Self-assessment eg APA
• Findings from the review will be circulated within the Children’s Trust and recommendations will be made to improve the process

3. The Children’s Trust will pilot an updated and improved process

• Recommendations from the pilot will be made and the whole process updated accordingly.

What are the outcomes of this activity?

• Good quality services in place
• Improvement in positive outcomes
• Strong skills within services
• Minimum standards achieved within all services
• Efficient and effective planning and commissioning process in place
• Relevant stakeholders involved in evaluating the process based on their experiences

What tools and resources are there to support you?

• Hear by Right website / VPA - self assessment tool that you can use to identify and help you improve how well you involve children and young people in the development of your service
• Commissioners self-assessment tool
• Commissioning process review
• Procurement Support Service

Who can support you to complete this activity?
You should identify individuals from within your organisation that can support you to complete tasks within this activity.

If you want to speak with someone about anything on this page please contact the Commissioning Team on 0191 566 1847 or email: sct@sunderland.gov.uk