Commisioning Policy Project - What is it?

To develop a funding and commissioning/ service planning and procurement code of practice and toolkit for public sector and third sector organisations in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

The code of practice and toolkit will lead to:

• Improved commissioning and procurement arrangements
• More citizen centred public; provided on a “who does what best”; offering more choice to people
• Better information and support for public sector officers and third sector organisations in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff

Policy lead

National policy consistently highlights the key role that the third sector in Wales has to play in service planning and delivery. For example, here is a quotation from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Designed for Life in 2006 on their vision for transforming health and social care services in Wales:

“The vision will not be realised unless all those involved in social care including social care staff, user of services, their representatives and carers as well as independent and voluntary sector providers are committed to it and fully involved in the changes.”

However, commissioning is a complex process and everyone involved has to work hard to bring clarity, cohesion and consistency to its different stages. Through this two-year project this is what we are hoping to achieve in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

How you can help - Value Added Facts

Commissioning presents challenges to all sectors. An important one for the third sector is to describe and quantify the value and vitality of the contribution that local organisations can make to enhancing public services. Information that would be useful for this project and for your own organisation is to know more about the added value that your organisation brings to its area.

Please have a go at completing the 10-point Value Added Facts questionnaire, which you can download by clicking the link and return to me at Margaret.mclaughlin@vamt.net  Tel: 01685 353920