South London SEN Commissioning Programme Better Outcomes through Collaboration November 2016

Rakhee Dave-Shah – Strategic Programme Lead Introductions Rakhee Dave-Shah – Strategic Programme Lead

Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People with SEN and Disabilities

The Perfect Storm

The South London SEN Commissioning Partnership Profile £75.7m overall annual spend. 268 SEN providers. 32% of spend with 4% of providers. 81% of placements are day placements. 12% of CYP with EHC Plan placed in INMMS. Majority ASD, SLCN & SEMH placements. Expecting a significant increase in demand of over 12% by 2020 (significantly higher compared to regional neighbours).

Category Strategy Aim Collaboration across borough and political boundaries for a common goal – the commissioning of good quality SEN placements that achieve the best outcomes for our children and young people in an efficient way. Approach Formalising the partnership as a foundation for future development; Working with the regions and sub-regional alliances to identify synergies and avoid duplication; Expanding the model beyond South London; and Working with Central Government to inform national policy. Reviewing the National Contracts; Agreeing a protocol for collaborative action where service quality deteriorates; Implementing e-contracting; and Developing a consistent approach to quality assurance. Shaping the market and developing alternative models of provision; Working with the National Association of Special Schools to drive cultural change; Commercial negotiations and managing down annual increases in fees; and Encouraging innovation. I Integrated commissioning across the 10 boroughs; Needs analysis and forecasting of demand; Ensuring sufficiency in the Market – focus on post 16 and post 19 sector; A dynamic purchasing system; Developing an Outcomes Based Commissioning approach; and Sharing market intelligence. Intelligent and robust commissioning Engaging with the market Developing the Programme and sharing good practice Embedding effective contract management

Savings and Efficiencies Savings of £2,390,265 through joint Category Management with recurring year on year savings Developing a new improved relationship with providers and stakeholders – through challenging fee increases and getting preferential pricing; Introducing more transparency in pricing; Focusing on value for money – not the cheapest provider, but the one that can demonstrate effective outcomes at a fair price. Savings of £1,211,750 through jointly procuring an integrated commissioning solution with further savings predicted through using the DPS Introducing processes and systems which are compliant with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 as well as the Children and Families Act 2014; Embedding outcomes based commissioning instead of needs based placements; Driving competition into a stagnant market; Developing effective contract management mechanisms. Efficiencies for boroughs and providers through service improvements Shaping the market and promoting innovation; Ensuring sufficiency in the market to meet our needs; Streamlining processes and forms – enabling savings for both providers and boroughs; Evolution of case workers to commissioners – through putting processes in place for intelligent and effective commissioning; Collaborating on contract management and quality assurance – making effective use of reducing staff capacity.

The Boroughs’ Perspective The South London SEN Commissioning Programme is providing coherence by working with the sector to support Local Authorities who in turn support parents or a young person in making informed decisions. South London SEN Commissioning Programme Local Authorities and Providers Parent Child or Young Person

Some Reflections Manage the expectation of instant savings Fit in with the wider strategic picture within boroughs Cultural change takes the most effort Co produce wherever possible Establish clear governance early

Opportunities and Ambitions In addition to savings and efficiencies, we are achieving wide recognition for our success in: Rapidly developing a partnership that spans South London and is mature enough to take on a major joint procurement exercise; Developing a Category Strategy to manage and develop a previously unshaped market; Demonstrating to Central Government how Local Authorities can meet both their commitment to the Children and Families Act 2014 with the requirements of the EU Procurement Rules 2015. The presence of other sub-regional groups suggests that the challenges faced by the South London are not unique to the South London Boroughs. Our work to date reinforces our business model and this could be replicated by Local Authorities across the country: Regional DPS – Already working with West London Alliance, North London Strategic Alliance and the South East to explore synergies and the potential of a regional DPS with joined up contract monitoring; National Approach – Working with DfE to explore a national commissioning model.

Don’t just take our word for it….. “Working with the South London SEN Commissioning Consortium has been invaluable as it has provided a showcase through sharing provider intelligence, emerging good practice, innovation and proposals to work collaboratively. It is expected that throughout 2015 the work that this group has begun will consolidate into a cogent plan that will inform future commissioning options for partner members.” West Sussex County Council “Working together with other authorities within the South London SEN Commissioning Programme has enabled us to secure good quality school placements for our children and young people at a cost that is beneficial to us as a local authority in times of financial stringency.” London Borough of Merton “The 10 borough programme has the potential to develop good practice/ common understanding. The Programme could become a model of best practice.” Independent Special School “The work you and your team have undertaken to move this forward is impressive and I would be surprised if it doesn’t become a model of good practice across the Country.” Independent Special School

Questions?