- Working with NHS partners to reduce delayed transfers of care from hospitals by commissioning supported housing services
- Reviewing the commissioning of Offender/Substance Misuse services
- Reviewing RSL sheltered services.
- Negotiation and liaison with DAAT, DIP, Mental Health Trust and Probation on joint commissioning of services.
- Advising on remodelling and reprofiling of services and preparations for a large-scale retendering of services.
- Delivering reductions in contract prices by re-negotiating, remodelling and re-tendering Learning Difficulties and Mental Health services.
- Carrying out diagnostics of Local Authority business processes in partnership with a software provider.
Project implementation, team and network building
Established the Supporting People programme in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on time and budget in March 2003 and led the team through a successful pathfinder Audit Commission inspection of the service – gaining 2* and promising prospects for improvement. Motivated staff to perform to high levels and respond to high pressure and tight deadlines during high profile national and local implementation projects. Carried out Equalities Impact Assessments on the development and decommissioning of supported housing services.
Reviewed and reported on the Supporting People Value Improvement Programme
The (then) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister initiated the Value Improvement Pilot programme in 2005. Administering authorities were selected to carry out pilot schemes which not only secured substantial efficiencies through re-evaluation of procurement, contracting and contract management, but also substantially improved outcomes for service users. Services and contracts were completely re-modelled on the basis of a robust analysis of needs of current and future service users and the strategic priorities set by the Commissioning Body rather than a concern to retain the then current service profile. The pilots were successful in that they produced efficiencies, improved outcomes for users, and increased provision by increasing numbers of people supported, it also showed the positive benefits for service users of a structure which reflects their needs and aspirations. Find out more here.
Commissioning Advice
The success of the Value Improvement Programme led to a project which provided resources to support Local Authorities and providers of supported housing services to improve commissioning, procurement and delivery of services. Identified the outcomes required and liaised with other government departments, the Office of Government Commerce, service providers and local authorities. The outcomes from the project were a joint CLG/SITRA publication; ‘A Provider’s Guide to Procurement’ and a CLG publication; ‘Needs Analysis, Commissioning and Procurement for Housing-Related Support: A resource for housing-related support, social care, and health commissioners’
PSA 16 Diagnostics
Was part of a CLG team which carried out diagnostics on local authorities with the aim of raising their PSA16 (socially excluded adults) accommodation indicator scores. The diagnostics consisted of data analysis, visits and interviews with senior managers, stakeholders and service users.