Jonny Woodthorpe – Framework Lead Simon Bower – Contract Manager South Central IFA Framework: Consortia working, contract monitoring and development opportunities from collaboration Jonny Woodthorpe – Framework Lead Simon Bower – Contract Manager

Framework Overview 14 Local Authorities 48 fostering providers Contract period is 2017 - 2021 £300million estimated value Four Lots Standard Fostering Parent & child Disabled Alternative to residential

Contract Management Hosted by Bournemouth Borough Council (1 FTE - Contract Manager & 0.5 FTE – Project Officer) Functions : Performance monitoring Accreditations (OFSTED, Insurance etc.) Training Mediation Contract queries Market development (Provider Forums, Sufficiency, MPS) Evaluation

Key Features of Contract Function Well resourced centralised function Efficiencies across LAs & opening up opportunities for further integration Confidence to IFAs Genuine Partnership Working with rather than doing to Mediating role of Contract Manager Independent evaluation (IPC) IFAs can provide anonymous feedback NAFP members of Project Board IFA actively shaping ‘Lot 4’ provision

Simon Bower – South Central IFA Contract Manager

Project Partners Bournemouth Bracknell Forest Dorset Isle of Wight Oxfordshire Poole Portsmouth Reading Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Slough Southampton Surrey West Berkshire Wokingham

Contract Management High value contract IPC report highlighted as an area for improvement Quality and Provider engagement A conduit between LA’s and IFA’s Building better relationships Working with new IFA Working with new LA’s Greater understanding of the market# Avoid duplication

Service Specification Key message to LA’s and Partners 48 Providers New providers can join annually Prices fixed for 4 years Mileage reduced from 280 – 250 Long Term now 9 months not 12 Types – General, Disabled Children, Parent & Child and Alternative to Residential THERE ARE NO ENHANCED PLACEMENT TYPES Additional Support – Optional Referral Form Outcomes Agreements in writing with commissioners for anything that involves an additional cost Notice in writing from the provider to the commissioner. Service Specification Key message to LA’s and Partners

Referral Form Why this form? The same to be used by all purchasers Local minor changes only May be used for all IFA placements Can be used for other placements Outcomes Risk Assessment is within the document Referral Form

Key Features Clothing Contact Notice Periods Pocket Money & Savings Toiletries and Cosmetics Reservations Respite Schooling Sibling Placement Short/Long Term Solo Placements Transport Key Features

Call Off

Monitoring and Reporting Quarterly Monitoring Annual Monitoring KPI’s Sufficiency Mapping Regular IFA Thematic Contract Review Meetings Annual Performance Assessment Complaints and Disputes Regular feedback encouraged Reopening the Framework Social Worker and IRO Feedback Monitoring and Reporting

Working in Partnership

Commitment Contract Monitoring visits 6 monthly events Annual performance reviews Co-production of event themes Opportunity to shape the work of the Contract Manager Contract Manager to mediate disputes Sharing intelligence Feedback welcome Evaluation of the framework externally commissioned NAFP invited to participate in board meetings

Framework Annual Re-opening

Questions?

Discussion Points Block booking Cross Consortia By carer or by provider? At LA or Framework level? Will it make matching more difficult? Cross Consortia Can we align our consortia? (e.g. Tender openings; Shared lots; KPIs?) Can we align/merge contract monitoring functions? Can/should we work towards larger consortia that allow for local difference?

Alternative to Residential