My role as a Commissioning Officer within Adult Care Services (ACS)

By Susan Street
VCS Commissioning Officer
Adult Care Services, Herts County Council.

Writing a blog is not as easy as I thought. After a sleepless night worrying about how I am going to get across all the complexities of commissioning in just a few paragraphs, I decided just to go back to basics. I re-read the ‘specification’ and it said ‘something light-touch’ maybe outlining do’s and don’ts, as well as highlighting the support ACS gives to the third sector. I think my overnight worries simply highlights some of the problems we all face when attempting something new and what might seem quite onerous! I am told some of you feel like this when working with commissioners!

As a Commissioning Officer, one of my main tasks is to make sure that the services people want and need are available where and when they need them.

In the main, I work with community and voluntary organisations that provide services to support adults, older people and those with a physical disability, enabling them, for example, to live independently, stay active and healthy, and recover quickly from illness. Many services have simple, but vital outcomes, e.g. to alleviate loneliness, share experiences, help with shopping etc. Services range from daycare to carers support, befriending to handyperson schemes and funding/contract values range from £100 to £1m+.

ACS currently invest approx. £9.09m in these “preventative” and early intervention services. I work with about 80 organisations – both local and national. ACS also work in partnership with PCTs and District Councils. Information about these and other services can be found on the Hertsdirect website.

I ensure that providers have a three year contract and I am currently reviewing all of the ACS Elderly and Physically Disabled (E&PD) Preventative Strategy contracts which are due to expire on 31st March 2009. I have/am visiting all of these providers to discuss their needs and intentions etc. for the future and to provide support as appropriate. I always ask about service user feedback and ensure that their views have been taken into consideration for the design and delivery of the service being offered. I also check that appropriate volunteers and staff have the CRB checks as required within the HCC contract. All of these contracts will also be registered on the HCC Contract Register, again details can be found on Hertsdirect.

In brief, I am also involved in writing tender specifications, reviewing applications, awarding panels, drawing up contracts, supporting various ACS strategies, and I am an active member of both the COMPACT and HERN groups.

Within ACS, we try and establish a supportive relationship with the voluntary sector, recognising the value that many groups deliver in terms of volunteering and community engagement. At the regular contract management meetings with the provider, I would provide advice and information on funding, sustainability, HR, and improving the quality of services. I also remind providers that, as they have a contract with ACS they have access ACS training, free of charge, HCC personnel for CRB checks (minimal charge), automatic payment system (no need to send an invoice) and promotion on Hertsdirect.

This is just a very brief outline of some of the tasks I undertake as a commissioning officer, I guess though you probably just want to know how you can obtain funding for services that you know people need in your community, or you might be interested in delivering a service on behalf of Adult Care Services.

HCC’s funding opportunities are advertised on www.hertsdirect.org, where you can also register for email alerts about up and coming tender/funding opportunities. You can also get funding advice from your local CVS or visit the CVS Herts website (www.hertscvs.org.uk)

I really enjoy my job and in particular, working in partnership with the various voluntary and community groups. On a daily basis I meet people who are passionate about their local communities and who genuinely and sincerely care about people. On more than one occasion I have been in meetings with a voluntary/community group and have felt quite uplifted because of what they are achieving. Hopefully, it will come as no surprise that I also feel passionate about people and communities and maybe the above information will enable some of you to feel a little more comfortable when working with commissioners!

Do’s and Don’ts (just a few)

Do make sure that you are seeking funding for those services which meet either ACS’s or CSF’s priorities. There is no point in applying ‘just in case you are lucky’ as your time is valuable.

Do make sure you are a legal entity and that you can meet the minimum contract requirements.

Do ensure that your application covers both the direct costs of service provision and any overhead costs incurred in support of the service. We do understand the financial constraints within which you are operating.

Do consider working in ‘partnership’ with other providers, where you deem it appropriate. Sharing good practice, sharing costs and expertise can be of benefit.

Do provide all the information asked for in the application. You would be surprised at the number of applications that do not provide financial information even when requested to do so.

Do check what monitoring information will be required and make sure you have systems in place to monitor your services.

Do not ignore what your users and carers say they want from your service, we always ask for feedback from Users and Carers and our priority is to ensure we are providing what people need.

Do not ignore the requirement to undertake appropriate CRB checks. We can provide advice and support in this respect.



Susan Street
Voluntary Sector Commissioning Officer
Adult Care Services


ACS Call Centre 01438 737400
Hertsdirect website http://www.hertsdirect.org/
Hertfordshire External Resource Network (HERN)