Summer 2023 National Commissioning Academy

We are delighted to announce the launch of Spring 2023 National Commissioning Academy which is accredited by the PSTA (Public Services Transformation Academy) and Cabinet Office.

Described by the former Civil Service Chief Executive John Manzoni as ‘one of our flagship development programmes for leaders’, the Commissioning Academy is designed to equip commissioners and change makers from across public services with the insight, know-how and tools to transform outcomes for the communities we serve.

The Commissioning Academy was established by the Cabinet Office in 2012. Originally it was delivered face to face by a faculty of subject-matter experts, facilitators and action-learning coaches whilst more recently it has been delivered by the same faculty using webinars, video-conferencing and a virtual learning environment. 

We are delighted to announce that the National Commissioning Academy 2023 will be a blended programme taking the best of both worlds.  Several of the sessions will be hosted by Trafford Council whilst others will be delivered virtually.  The programme will launch on Fri 16 June in Trafford and run until 10 January 2024.  In person dates are on Fri 16 June, Tues 18 July, Tues 26 September, Tues 21 Nov and Wed 10 Jan. Other dates for virtual sessions will be announced in due course.

About us

The Public Service Transformation Academy (PSTA) is a certified social enterprise launched in 2016 to deliver the Cabinet Office Commissioning Academy and continue the Public Service Transformation Network’s knowledge sharing mission. The PSTA is a not-for-profit partnership comprising charities, social enterprises, professional networks, businesses and universities working together with local, health, uniformed, and public and civil service bodies.

Our approach

Commissioning and systems transformation are inherently multi-disciplinary, and our approach to developing capability combines:

• Action – applying insight and tools to your priorities to bring learning to life, and make a difference
• Process – facilitation and coaching for experience sharing and collaborative learning
• Knowledge – stimulating insights and know-how on proven practices to spark new thinking

This ‘action learning’ approach, means we can support you to learn as we go – applying learning to the complex work you are undertaking to improve the lives of people in the communities you serve – developing people and processes in support of delivery.

Would you and your colleagues like to…

• Learn how to initiate and lead change across complex systems through commissioning processes
• Develop individual and organisational capabilities to transform outcomes
• Be part of a national system-wide network of commissioning practitioners

Who should apply?

Participants will be:

• committed to making a difference in key areas
• keen to apply the latest thinking and approaches to realising outcomes – developing a whole system approach, applying trauma informed practices, developing person-centred support
• eager to apply the ideas, assets and energy of all parts of the system
• keen to learn from experts and other participants
• responsible for driving improvements in commissioning for outcomes
• able to take back practical input to your own OPCC challenges

What does the Academy cover?

Academy participants will cover key tools and techniques including:

Foundation concepts

• Working as a system and system mapping 
• Outcomes thinking – translating needs into better outcomes 
• Collaborative working activities exploring current real commissioning challenges

Commissioning for outcomes as a system

• Applying systems thinking
• Mobilising assets (asset-based commissioning)
• Creating an outcomes framework

Developing inclusive markets and interventions

• Developing markets
• Trauma-informed practice – building into commissioning activity
• Prevention and early intervention
• Inclusive commissioning and leveraging markets to tackle inequalities

Creating conditions for change

• Systems leadership – your role as a system leader
• Coproduction – using coproduction to rethink service design and delivery
• Promoting innovation and creating social value
• Conditions for system change

What can you expect?

A blended, interactive programme over the course of 8 months that includes:

• Masterclass workshops (interactive, with input of ideas and frameworks)
• action learning/coaching                      
• expert speakers/short videos to watch
• peer challenge
• practical action planning on a project or priority you are working on
• membership of a nation-wide alumni

How to apply to be part of the Academy?

If you would like to book a place on the Spring 2022 Commissioning Academy, please contact Sarah Johnston on 077010 49836 or sarah.johnston@publicservicetransformation.org

The price per participant in the Academy is £2,300 +VAT.  The next Academy is due to take place between June 2023 and January 2024.   Discounts are also available for participants who have completed the Commissioning: A 10 step introduction programme. Contact Sarah Johnston for details on 077010 49836 or sarah.johnston@publicservicetransformation.org

What do past participants of Commissioning Academies say?

“It’s a worthwhile investment. I found it a really useful experience. Coming into it with other people from your organisation, makes a big difference in terms of being able to go back into the office and think about what you’ve taken from each of the sessions and the site visit and translate that into what might you do differently within your organisation.” Assistant Director, Adult Social Care and Health, Barnet

Based on a survey of participants in past programmes:

• 98 per cent of those surveyed reported making useful connections
• 91 per cent said it was a good or excellent use of their time
• 88 per cent said that the Academy was either good, or excellent value for money
• 91 percent report the academy was either relevant or highly relevant to learning needs
• 87 per cent said they would recommend the academy to their colleagues and peers

“Thank you so much for an inspirational programme that has allowed us to think differently to provide innovative projects to engage volunteers- where they feel valued and supported. You definitely helped to get rid of the ‘cob webs’ by introducing new methods and ways of driving forward and presenting change- in a positive and acceptable way.” Senior Manager, East of England Ambulance Trust

Who are the Public Service Transformation Academy?

The PSTA was established by a group of charities, social enterprises and commercial businesses to be the delivery partner of the Cabinet Office’s Commissioning Academy and the custodian of the Public Service Transformation Network’s knowledge resources.

The PSTA was formed as a not-for-profit social enterprise whose mission is to develop the capability of public service organisations to realise better outcomes for the communities they serve.

Each partner brings their own networks of expertise and insight to the partnership.