Social Value – a Norfolk commissioning perspective

Mick SandersHead of Integrated Commissioning

Norfolk CC and Norwich CCG

A commissioning perspective

Covers:•Commissioning and procurement of adults and children’s social care •Integrated commissioningInformed by•Views of health commissioning and Anglia Commissioning Support Unit procurement

Implications for practice

• Commissioning• Procurement• Contracting• Influencing markets

Social Value and the commissioning requirement

• Applies to all contracts (incl ‘Part B’ services) over OJEU limits whether procured or negotiated

• Requires commissioners to consider how proposed service may improve social, economic and environmental well being

• Consideration and consultation on relevance of social value at an early stage

• Papers to NCC Cabinet seeking permission to let or extend a contract will explicitly consider social value

Social Value Act welcomed

Builds on existing NCC approaches and processes:• Adds rigour to existing processes •Consideration of value (NCC has tended to use a wide definition of ‘Value for Money’)•Encourages a wide view of needs and impacts met through a broad range of relevant commissioning partnerships

Integrated commissioning

• Norfolk – early adoption of the integrated commissioning approach - health and social care

• Pioneering and continuing to develop integrated commissioning e.g co-location

• Enhances potential for commissioners to commission holistic services deliver more efficient and effective (joined up) services

Social Value and Commissioning• Early consideration of relevance of social value• Involving a wide range of stakeholders (including

other commissioners and public bodies)• Coproduction with community organisations and

members• Drawing on cross cutting information (JSNA/

Health and Well being Strategy) to understand needs in a wide context

• Accounting for feedback when designing the scope, model and outcomes for the service

Key Procurement Messages

• Basic capabilities come first. All prospective providers must be able to deliver effectively, safely and legally.

• Providers should beware sales people touting social value audits, etc

• Providers should subscribe to NCC Twitter feed (@NCC Contracts) and to Contracts Finder to make sure they are aware of consultations and future opportunities

• For health alerts: www.supply2health.nhs.uk

Social value and NCC procurement

• Social value requirements must be proportionate, relevant to the contract and not discriminatory

• Routine issue of Prior Information Notice (advertising intention to procure) starting formal consultation

• Social Value will be discussed at the Concept Viability Event (CVE)

• Decision on SV following CVE. (in cases where it is not relevant there should be a short statement in the tender documentation)

• Social aspects of SV will be evaluated through consideration of the proposed delivery model.

Social value and contracting

Using contracting and contract requirements to promote practices which contribute to the wider social value of a service e.g:•Evidence of good management of staff•Actively ensure equality of access to services•There is effective governance in place

Influencing markets 1

Encouraging a level playing field for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) through:•Offering information about procurement and submission processes to help SMEs compete•Openly welcoming service provision proposals which can include SMEs (sub contracting/ partnerships)

Norfolk SME examples

• Review of insurance levels and only needed if successful

• Simplified terms and conditions• Pay in 30 days or better• Prompt payment woven into contracts with

prime providers• Sub-contracts to be advertised through

Contract Finder

Influencing markets 2

Encouraging partnership delivery models which add value through their breadth and can accommodate SMEs / specialist niche providersExamples:Healthwatch Norfolk – using ‘grant in aid funding’ to facilitate the development of a consortiaInformation, advice and advocacy – specifying a partnership approach with interdependent contracts

Influencing markets 3

• Day opportunities – range of support for providers to remodel services (including business support and mentoring)

• Living Well In the Community Fund – pump priming for providers to pilot prevention initiatives (including small grants)

• Market Position Statement – providing information about social care and related Norfolk markets to inform the strategies of providers and prospective providers

Continuing to develop holistic commissioning approaches

• NCC commissioning hub - bring together integrated/ adult social care commissioning with children’s commissioning and procurement

• Sharing materials and best practice activities with other commissioners

• CCGs are new entities and still learning – increasing collaborating with a range of stakeholders in developing service models and solutions

Conclusions• In NCC, principles of SVA were already enshrined

in our work• Models adopted for commissioning already

include the holistic view as a way of meeting need

• Wider view of value already adopted, but SVA builds on this

• Simplified procurement assisting SMEs• Context is everything• Don’t pay for Social Value Audits!

Questions and Comments?

Thank you

mick.sanders@nhs.net