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. 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 ( 1mb) .   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 ( 1.10mb) has two key sections. The first section provides detailed background information on 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 that will offer advice, guidance and support at each of the four activities. The training will reinforce use of the handbook and the tools and resources within it.

Level 1 training - Communications Strategy – awareness raising

• Providing an overview of commissioning activity
• By utilising existing communication methods
• For all practitioners and professionals have access to information

Level 2 training - knowledge

• Providing more detailed information of the commissioning framework
• Running through the Handbook
• Spending time discussing each of the activities
• For individuals that manage the commissioning process and are involved in the activities and stages

To find out more about Level 2 training click here ...

Level 3 training courses - knowledge and skills

• Four specific training courses to cover the four key activities of Assess, Plan, Do, Review
• Each course will teach attendees how to use tools to assist them to complete each stage
• For individuals that are involved in the activities and stages identified in the framework

Level 4 training - technical skills

• To provide an overview of the Children’s Trust’s commissioning framework
• For teams of staff that support technical areas of commissioning eg. 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.

A Joint Commissioning Board is responsible for commissioning developments in Sunderland, and is contributing to regional and national developments.

A Joint Commissioning Team has been established in Children’s Services to support the work of the Joint Commissioning Board and to offer support and challenge to commissioners of services for children, young people and their families.

We hope you have found the pages on 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?

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