Our strategic approach and priorities for delivery

The Commissioning Strategy sets out the Council’s approach to strategic commissioning for Adult Social Care and Housing by ensuring that we work towards:

• a stable and innovative market that delivers services that meets the needs and demands of service users
• provision that is equal to the challenges of an aging population and health inequalities in Cumberland
• addressing housing and homelessness by providing accessible and sustainable housing solutions, and support services to prevent and reduce homelessness in Cumberland

We will achieve these outcomes through:

• services commissioned based on evidence of need and understanding of the market
• effective systems in place to monitor contracts and work with providers to improve outcomes, quality and efficiency
• a strong approach to user engagement, co-production, social value, equality, diversity and inclusion

The Strategy has been informed by the Market Position Statement which sets out the needs of Cumberland’s population, demand for services and an outline of the delivery market. Based on this assessment we have further developed the following strategic priorities for delivery:

1. Supporting the health and care system through the proactive commissioning and delivery of both universal and targeted prevention services
2. Reducing the rate of older people moving into long term residential and nursing care
3. Expanding access and choice for individuals by enhancing the supply of extra care and other forms of supported accommodation
4. Expanding access and choices for individuals by enhancing the market for complex care including dementia care
5. Ensuring a sustainable market, particularly for domiciliary services
6. Transformation and streamlining our equipment services and support the development of the Cumberland Home Improvement Agency
7. Transformation of Day Opportunities through a 24/7 offer that increases skills, independence and choices
8. Working with the market to further promote and deliver outcomes-based services
9. Working collaboratively with the Integrated Care Board around joint commissioning and reducing duplication
10. Addressing housing and homelessness by providing accessible and sustainable housing solutions, and support services to prevent and reduce homelessness in Cumberland

During the first six months of the Strategy a delivery plan will be developed that sets out the steps that we will take in meeting these strategy priorities.

The delivery plan will be reviewed annually over the lifecycle of the strategy.