21st October 2013

20 questions every Domestic Violence/Violence Against Women commissioning person should ask themselves

What questions should commissioners ask?

"Yesterday I was asked to speak at the “All-Party Parliamentary Group: Domestic and Sexual Violence” about the problems of commissioning of specialist services. Whilst I pondered what I was going to say, and the depressing things I had found, it struck me that some obvious questions did not seem to be answered by commissioners before asking for people to apply for the funding. This list of 20 questions all such commissioners should ask are sometimes obvious, sometimes controversial but always based in the experience we have when reviewing local partnerships. They are not intended to fulfil the requirements of a commissioning framework or guidance but I cannot help but think that they might just help commissioners to avoid the possibility of ending up with a less good service that makes victims less safe."

Anthony Wills

20 Questions Commissioners Should Ask

1. Do you have to tender?

2. Why are you tendering - is there another way of solving a problem?

3. What expertise around the specialist subject are you using within the commissioning process so that you know what you want?

4. What expertise around the specialist subject are you using within the commissioning process so that you know what you are likely to get?

5. Have you spoken to those who will use the service?

6. What is your price – v – quality ratio?

7. Are you just doing it as a cost-saving exercise? Will this work over time? Will the cheaper deal lead to more expensive outcomes?

8. Is there strategic understanding of the benefits of specialism?

9. What is the track record of those bidding for the contract?

10. What are the principles and ethos of the organisations bidding for the contract? What is their organisational purpose?

11. What will be the lead-in time for the successful bidder to achieve the results that are sought?

12. What damage will the tender process do to the local partnership/relationships? 

13. What help will you give to tenderers to ensure a level playing field?

14. How flat is the management structure of those commissioned? Will the contractor be paying for a multi-layered management system?

15. Will the survivors have hot water, be safer, feel supported by someone who understands, be more likely to take the options that are safer and better for them and their children?

16. If you make a decision that upsets the status quo how will the agencies that then exist relate to each other?

17. If you make the wrong decision will you have the courage/ability to cancel the contract?

18. How will you measure success and know when you have made the wrong decision?

19. Will you give contracts for meaningful periods (7years)?

20. Why are you doing this?

Email: a.wills@standingtogether.org.uk  
twitter: @STagainstDV   @anthonywillsST