This was the first webinar of the Asset-Based Commissioning Hub established jointly by Think Local Act Personal and Social Care Future. In addition to webinars, the hub will act as a repository of useful and practical materials and examples.
This webinar looked at how commissioning can be done differently in adult social care and beyond, showing why and how councils can make use of flexibilities allowed under procurement law.
Rachel Mason (family carer)
‘Co-producing a different approach to OUR social care’:
Helen Sharp (Ideas Alliance)
‘Collaboration and alliancing’
Angharad Metcalfe (Neath Port Talbot)
‘Substance use support’
Julian Blake (Stone King)
‘Flexibilities in commissioning and procurement’
Jo Nicholls and Ian Gleadell (Thurrock Council)
‘Autism and neurodivergence conversation strategy’
Links
Webinar slides
Key messages sent to Government in response to the procurement reform consultation which ended in September 2025, further promoting collaborative methodologies
The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement (2016)
The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement: New Horizons for Empowering Innovation (2024)
Vitalising Purpose: the Power of the Social Enterprise Difference in Public Services
Public Procurement – price taker or market shaper
Purposeful Collaboration: Commissioning from the VCSE sector
The Co-operative Council Innovation Network Social Value Toolkit
Bedford University independent evaluation report into the Leicestershire Children’s Services Innovation Partnership
Further case studies from the E3M website
Fundamental Correctives to Public Service Commissioning
A sector-specific paper for Women’s Aid, in relation to the commissioning of Violence against Women and Girls services
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