New cohort announced: Outcome Based Commissioning: a 10 step introduction, cohort 7 (November 2023)

New cohort launching 1 November 2023

Why this learning programme?

Everyone is working hard to maximise the impact of their limited commissioning budgets. The need to make a real difference to citizens and outcomes has never been greater. Add to this the complexity of the system you work in, your limited resources and the pressure to act quickly and your challenge can often feel overwhelming.

This development programme has been designed to assist all those charged with deploying commissioning budgets to improve overall effectiveness, efficiency and agility. It is an intense, introductory programme to outcomes based commissioning designed to give you an overview and develop the way you work. It is complimentary to the PSTA’s Commissioning Academy learning programme (designed in collaboration with the Cabinet Office).

Quotes from past participants:

“I was new to commissioning when I started my new role in November. I have already made changes to the current systems and created a commissioning strategy to drive forward our approach as a team, thank you.”

“I learnt a lot about different approaches in commissioning and gained confidence in how to apply new concepts and new knowledge”

“There is a lot of learning that I will take away and put it into practice.”

Introduction

The aim of this online & interactive learning programme is to enable you to grasp the core principles & practices of effective commissioning. By the end of the programme you will be better placed to help develop public services that make a really positive and lasting difference to local people’s lives. You will also be able to act quickly with confidence using a commissioning mindset and call on your network of fellow participants for support and challenge.

The programme takes place over four mornings over a few weeks with space between each session to reflect and apply learning. Ahead of the first day we will provide a link to a 20 minute presentation on The Evolution of Commissioning by our colleague Stephen Moss.  Participants are expected to have watched this before the first session. Each session starts with a check in at 9 am and goes onto 12.30pm with a couple of breaks. We will spend about an hour to 90 minutes on each of the steps listed below. In addition you will have some time in small groups working as an action learning set (one which it is hoped will continue after the programme is over).

The programme

Please note that this is a learning programme, not a teaching programme. If you are looking for a series of lectures where your only initiative is to make a few notes, this is not the course for you. Instead, you will be asked to contribute (lots) and ask questions (lots), as well as doing some research and reading offline outside the three sessions. Essentially, the more you put into your learning, the more you will learn and take away from this training.

The learning steps are:

• Step One: What are we doing anyway?
• Step Two: What is commissioning?
• Step Three: Do we have to talk about leadership?
• Step Four: Are members of the public just customers?
• Step Five: How do we make the most of our resources?
• Step Six: Where does quality come into Commissioning?
• Step Seven: Can we talk about procurement now?
• Step Eight: Where do our values fit in?
• Step Nine: How can we work best with our partners?
• Step Ten: How can we design in creativity and innovation?
• Step Eleven: What now…?

The content will include:

• Laser focus on outcomes
• Asset Based Commissioning
• Whole system working
• From ‘Quick Fix’ to ‘Stay Fix’
• Innovative process redesign
• Co-production
• Grants versus Contracts
• Partnership working with the VCFSE sector
• Leading change and transformation
• Evidence based practice

What next

If you wish to be part of this innovative programme please contact Sarah Johnston sarah.johnston@publicservicetransformation.org or 077010 49836 to book your place(s) as soon as possible.

The cost of the programme is £850 per person which will includes a discount for any participants who progress on to the Commissioning Academy. Other discounts are available for early and group bookings.