What is joint commissioning?

Joint commissioning has been defined as "the process when two or more commissioning agencies act together to co-ordinate their commissioning, taking joint responsibility for translating strategy into action." In practical terms, this means making the best use of available resources to meet identified needs.

Effective joint commissioning is crucially important in the process of developing a whole systems approach to service delivery and improving outcomes to users and carers. Joint commissioning involves a range of activities including:

  • Needs assessment
  • Financial planning
  • Working in partnership with key stakeholders, including users and carers and service providers
  • Planning innovative services
  • Effective review and redesign of services.

Current JIT work on commissioning

JIT has agreed a work plan linked to the work of the Joint Resourcing Group

Key areas of work include:

  • Practical work with partnerships to improve joint commissioning with the aim to produce a practical toolkit for use by partnerships.
  • Development of an e-work book in collaboration with the Change Agent Team (Opens in new window).

We're working with partnerships in Forth Valley on capacity planning.

Commissioning person-centred, cost-effective, local support for people with learning difficulties

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) commissioned this knowledge review in order to bring together knowledge from research and practice on commissioning person-centred, cost effective, local support for people with learning difficulties who are labelled as having complete needs and/or challenging behaviour.

Adults' Services Knowledge Review 20.

Commissioning Services for People on the Autism Spectrum: Policy and Practice Guidance

To support local agencies in developing appropriate services, the Scottish Government, with the National Autism Spectrum Disorder Reference Group, has developed policy and practice guidance for commissioners of health and social care services for people on the autism spectrum. The guidance shares best practice examples and informs commissioners of the tools and services available to support them in their role.

Use of Resources in Adult Social Care

You can download a copy of the Department of Health's Use of Resources in Adult Social Care, published October 2009 here.

Use of Resources Adults Social Care [1Mb]