Supporting a metropolitan borough to develop its commissioning function
Changes to the commissioning team and a challenging public care agenda prompted Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to form an Academic Partnership with us
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Situation and task
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What was the impact?
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Key success factors
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Situation and task
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Situation and task
The council wanted to build its capability as a commissioning organisation. Our task was to:
- provide sustained support to the authority as it grew and developed its commissioning function
- support the staff with training and development to meet sector challenges head on and adapt to the national and local agenda
The partnership with the council began with a focus on the adult social care environment. In the initial phase we worked alongside senior managers in Solihull to understand the local context of care. We then:
- supported the commissioning management team to review their vision, focus and priorities alongside their financial constraints
- provided structured workshops and review, exploring options around building residential/nursing care for people with dementia; extra care homes for older people, and small homes and supported living for people with learning disabilities
- created a bespoke four day training programme, drawing on local experience, primarily for adult social care staff and also children’s services and public health. The programme offered a postgraduate qualification, focussed around work-based projects
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What was the impact?
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What was the impact?
The training was mutually beneficial to individuals, the organisation and the public, by providing the opportunity for continual professional development, assessment of organisational capability, and a focus on commissioning for outcomes for citizens. All participants achieved the qualification.
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Key success factors
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Key success factors
- Recognition by the organisation of the need to adapt to a changing operating environment
- Commitment by senior management to sustained support for professional development of its staff and the creation of a safe learning environment
- The honest and enthusiastic participation of staff in the programme
Contact Graeme McLaren to discuss this case study
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