1. Commissioning for Quality Alexis Jay Chief Social Work Inspector Homecare Europe Meeting Paris January 28, 2009

3. Social Work Inspection Agency ( SWIA) Is an independent inspectorate reporting to Government Ministers Inspects how municipalities organise and deliver social services Chief Inspector is also Chief Advisor to Government

4. Commissioning is the strategic activity of assessing needs, resources and current services and formulating a strategy to meet these needs, regardless of who provides the service Procurement and contracting is the task of ensuring that there is provision available at the right price and quality to meet needs and deliver effective outcomes

5. Why purchase/ contract social services? National and European trend towards developing resources by using a mix of providers Competition and privatisation used as a means to increase efficiency and to reduce public expenditure European rules on Competition European directives on free movement of workers

6. External Purchasing of Social Services From traditional contracting –of voluntary non- profit providers to a market of private and voluntary service providers –Examples: Austria, Germany, The Netherlands From public provision to a mixed economy of welfare by :purchaser- provider – split, compulsory competitive tendering, out-sourcing etc. –Examples: United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Eastern Europe

7. Services for Adults in Scotland Most care homes provided by private sector, some by voluntary sector and some by municipalities Most home care provided by municipalities, with some provided by private sector Most learning disability services provided by the voluntary care sector Strong trend towards more contracted services from both the private and voluntary sector, and less provided by municipalities

8. Developing Quality in Scotland The Care Commission - regulates all care homes, day services and care at home in accordance with National Minimum Standards The Scottish Social Services Council - regulates the social care workforce The Social Work Inspection Agency - inspects all municipalities, social services Municipalities monitor contracts with private and voluntary care providers

9. Commissioning, Contracting and Regulation in Europe Self- regulation of services Quality assurance and service inspection Authorisation and accreditation Quality management systems and certification by third parties Sector-specific instruments to assess, measure and compare service quality

10. Emerging Issues in Europe Difficult political decisions for some countries- state vs private provision Regulation of quality Not enough private/ voluntary care providers in some countries Some providers reluctant to bid Some providers end contract Some providers inexperienced in bidding for contracts Municipalities own services often higher cost Bankruptcies / failing businesses Quality and price ratio in agreed contract Lack of experience by municipalities in writing contracts