ACTIVITY TWO: PLAN

Activity Two comprises stages 4 and 5 of the planning and commissioning process. Activity Two focuses on setting priorities and planning. This period of activity takes place during July - September.

What is involved in this activity?

1. Analyse existing services and potential service providers

• Map services against outcomes, needs and resources attached to each service - include those delivered by all providers (including statutory, voluntary and community sectors)
• Analyse service information to identify correlations, overlaps and gaps in service provision

2. Set priorities

• Use the findings of your assessment of need to set priorities

3. Identify resources

• Identify resources that are available
• Identify external resources that could be utilised eg. external funding

4. Agree commissioning recommendations

• Make recommendations about service delivery
• Consider procurement/contractual requirements for service delivery
• All recommendations must be based on improving outcomes
• All recommendations must be evidence based
• Consider the impact of the recommendations and where else they will impact – what other outcomes and needs will be affected by the recommendations

5. Identify potential cross cutting issues

• Contact relevant agencies and services and other commissioners where there may be cross cutting issues
• Work with other commissioners to determine whether an issue/priority can be progressed jointly
• Set out arrangements for progressing jointly

6. Produce a draft strategy or plan

• Identify the outcomes you want to achieve
• Provide an outline of your assessment of need
• Identify your priorities – linked to outcomes
• Identify the resources available
• State your recommendations and their impact
• If any shared cross cutting issues/priorities have been identified, state
  - Who the shared issue is with
  - What the shared issue is
  - How you have agreed to progress this

7. Share information with stakeholders

• Share your Strategy or plan with key stakeholders
• This may include existing providers and potential providers
• Whatever information is shared, it must be done in a way that is appropriate for the audience

What are the outcomes of this activity?

• An understanding of the local market – providers, supply and demand, gaps
• Clear set of priorities to work towards
• Understanding of resources available
• Comprehensive strategy or plan

What tools and resources are there to support you?

• Market Analysis Toolkit – to help you map services
• Preparing a Strategy ( 100kb)– Guidance and template
  CYPP
• Service and Team Plans
• Corporate Improvement Plan
• Sunderland Strategy

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