One of the key priorities of Sunderland Children’s Trust is commissioning.

The Trust has developed a Commissioning Framework, which provides support to those who work to improve services for children, young people and their families. The framework is relevant to those that are involved in and need to understand the commissioning process. This section of the Children’s Trust’s website provides up to date information about the achievements the Trust has made so far and what the Trust plans to do. You can use the site to help you understand the process download practical tools ask questions and seek support The Trust has set up the framework, which is derived from the DCSF Joint Planning and Commissioning Framework. It has built the 9 DCSF stages around 4 local activities of Assess – Plan – Do – Review.

A Project Board and Project Group are managing the development of planning and commissioning arrangements in Sunderland. If you want to find out more, you can contact the Commissioning Team on 0191 566 1788 or email: sct@sunderland.gov.uk

The Handbook and toolkit are practical tools to help you follow the planning and commissioning process.

The Handbook ( 391kb) has two key sections. The first section provides detailed background information on planning and commissioning and provides an overview of arrangements in Sunderland. The second section follows the four key activities of Assess – Plan – Do – Review and sets out the

• tasks involved at each of these activities
• positive outcomes of completing the activity
• practical tools and resources to help you complete the activity

A Workforce Development Programme is being developed. There are four levels to the planning and commissioning workforce development programme.

Level 1 training – A Communications Plan has been established that aims to raise awareness to all practitioners and professionals in Sunderland. This website forms part of that plan.

Level 2 training – A training course has been developed that aims to provide attendees with knowledge about planning and commissioning arrangements in Sunderland. So far two training courses have been run and more are due to take place in September and October. To find out more about the course and to book a place click here.

Level 3 – Four training courses will be set up that provide detailed knowledge and skills on each of the four key activities of Assess – Plan – Do – Review. These courses will be aimed at individuals who are involved in completing the tasks that contribute towards the activities. When these courses are set up we will provide more information here.

Level 4 training – Aims to provide an overview of the Children’s Trust’s planning and commissioning framework to those teams of staff that support technical areas of planning and commissioning, such as Finance, HR, Legal, Contracting, Market Development, Workforce Development.

The project group has worked with some Aligned Partnerships to help draft and pilot some of the tools and resources that have been and are being developed. All Aligned Partnership members have been asked to attend the Level 2 training. The project group will continue to support Aligned Partnerships in their move towards becoming commissioning partnerships.

The Project Board is looking at setting up a commissioning unit, which will, initially, offer support to staff in Children’s Services as they follow the planning and commissioning process.

We recognise the importance of involving children and young people and this is something we will consider throughout our work.

This website is a fundamental part of our work. Its is just one of the ways that we will be communicating with you and it is also the quickest and easiest way for us to keep you up to date with what we are doing and what we have done. Through the website you can find out about and sign up for training. You can also tell us what you think – please use this feature as your comments are really important to us.

The Commissioning Manager is contributing towards developments within the Council and regional developments.

We hope you have found the pages on planning and commissioning useful and will return to them again.

We will be updating the site on a regular basis and welcome your feedback. You can contact us directly on 0191 566 1847, by email: sct@sunderland.gov.uk or you can tell us what you think by posting any comments and suggestions on the feedback form below.

We would like to know:

• Do you have some ideas about how we can improve this section of the website?
• Is there anything else that you think we should add to this section of the website?
• Do you want to find out more information on something you have seen on the website?
• Do you have any questions?

If you would like a personal reply, remember to leave your contact details so that we can get in contact with you.