GMCVO survey on commissioning: findings

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GMCVO survey on commissioning findings

• Audience voluntary and community sector (VCS)
  organisations that deliver health and social care
  services in Greater Manchester.
• Purpose to get a snapshot of the issues
  surrounding commissioning the VCS to deliver
  public services to capture views on the
  Commissioning Framework for Health and
  Well-being.

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Respondents facts and figures

• 31 organisations completed the survey
• Annual income one third of participating
  organisations have an annual income of between
  100,000 and 250,000.
• Almost half have 5 20 employees. Six
  organisations have less than 5 employees.
• Good geographical spread across Greater
  Manchester but a high proportion (42) working in
  Manchester.
• Range of organisations working in mental health,
  BME groups, counselling, disabled groups.

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• Question one do you deliver public services?
• Yes 73
• No 27
• Question two if not, would you consider doing so
  in the future?
• Yes 67
• No 0
• Maybe 6
• Not applicable 28

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The Commissioning Framework a summary

• Outcomes-based commissioning
• More local control over services
• Better partnership working, including the VCS.
• VCS organisations, particularly those which are
  user-led, more involved in needs assessments and
  service planning through LAAs

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The Commissioning Framework a summary

• Independent sector and VCS organisations to enter
  the market and bid for public service contracts.
• Market development.
• Develop new services to meet gaps in provision
• More time
• Fair, transparent procurement practices

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Question 7 one of the proposed actions for
commissioners is to establish a local provider
forum. What are your views on this?

• Varying levels of current engagement.
• A positive response on the whole
• Provider forums must be
• independent,
• clear in their remit and role,
• open to newcomers and service users,
• adequately funded
• supported by infrastructure.

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Question 7 one of the proposed actions for
commissioners is to establish a local provider
forum. What are your views on this?

• Forums must NOT
• be a talking shop
• be dominated by commissioners and larger
  organisations
• exclude pan-borough organisations
• force organisations into unnecessary competition
  with one another.

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Question 7 one of the proposed actions for
commissioners is to establish a local provider
forum. What are your views on this?

• Good idea to share experiences and resolve
  common issues. Also an opportunity for
  commissioners to get to know providers better.

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Question 7 one of the proposed actions for
commissioners is to establish a local provider
forum. What are your views on this?

• I think this is needed but it has to be truly
  representative and two-sided - i.e. not just a
  forum for commissioners to notify providers of
  their plans.

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Question 7 one of the proposed actions for
commissioners is to establish a local provider
forum. What are your views on this?

• It will speed the process of setting us, VCS
  organisations, up against one another as we
  compete for the contract / money. The
  consequences of this are reasonably obvious such
  as reduced collaborative working.

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Question 7 one of the proposed actions for
commissioners is to establish a local provider
forum. What are your views on this?

• Good idea

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Question 8 how could commissioning be made
simpler so local VCS organisations can more
easily access public sector contracts?

• Less bureaucracy, simpler application process
• More flexible accreditation schemes
• Opportunities clearly advertised info shared
• Greater transparency in commissioning process

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Question 8 how could commissioning be made
simpler so local VCS organisations can more
easily access public sector contracts?

• One point of contact
• Support and training to build capacity and
  navigate the tendering process more time to
  prepare bids
• Payment in advance development funding full
  cost recovery
• Training for commissioners on how VCS
  organisations operate commissioners to share
  info more

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Question 8 how could commissioning be made
simpler so that local VCS organisations can more
easily access public sector contracts?

• Documents are generally overwhelming for small
  voluntary organisations with limited human
  resources and infrastructure. Community
  organisations need the support to capacity
  build.

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Question 8 how could commissioning be made
simpler so that local VCS organisations can more
easily access public sector contracts?

• Less complex forms to complete. Training for
  commissioners on what they are commissioning.
  Training for VCS organisations on the
  commissioning process.

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Question 8 how could commissioning be made
simpler so that local VCS organisations can more
easily access public sector contracts?

• Procurement based on lowest priceultimately
  leads to larger organisations benefiting as they
  can achieve economies of scale In such a context
  it is difficult for new and/or smaller providers
  to enter the market place.

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Question 8 how could commissioning be made
simpler so that local VCS organisations can more
easily access public sector contracts?

• I dont know

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Key messages

• Support from commissioners is seen as crucial
• Tendering for contracts is complicated,
  time-consuming and costly
• Enthusiasm for a better engagement VCS providers
  keen to expand their role in public service
  delivery
• A willingness to work with commissioners to help
  tackle common problems