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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

  • Situation and task

  • What was the impact?

  • Key success factors

  • Situation and task

  • 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
  • What was the impact?

  • 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.

  • Key success factors

  • 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
Graeme McLaren, Principal Consultant
Graeme McLaren, Principal Consultant

Contact Graeme McLaren to discuss this case study

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