Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report presented on behalf of the Strategic Commissioning Manager, Resources Directorate, which outlined the arrangements for commissioning on behalf of Rotherham MBC. 

It was noted that Rotherham NHS and the Council planned well together as partners and there were established good practice in relation to joint commissioning around Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHs), substance misuse and disability short breaks, but changes were required in relation to the development of joint commissioning plans against the national and local priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and 29 outcomes going forward.  Taking forward the DfE SEN Green Paper, ‘Support and Aspirations’ would also require greater partnership working. 

There was currently no overarching group or body that oversaw the strategic direction of commissioning for Children and Young People’s Services across Health, Public Health, Social Care and Education.

It was proposed that a Joint NHS and Rotherham Children, Young People’s and Families’ Commissioning Group be established that: - 

·        Worked alongside the Children, Young People and Families’ Partnership;

·        Accountable to the Health and Wellbeing Board and Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group;

·        Tasked with taking forward a strategic approach for commissioning of Children and Young People’s Services;

·        Considered intelligence from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and other local intelligence;

·        Was responsive to the Health and Wellbeing Strategy;

·        Was responsible for meeting the recommendations of the Peer Review of 2011 and the Ofsted inspection of 2012;

·        Membership would include: -

o       NHS Clinical Commissioning Group;

o       Social Care;

o       Education;

o       Voluntary Sector. 

Discussion ensued and the Cabinet Member confirmed his support for the principle of undertaking joint commissioning as there were clear benefits and opportunities for improving outcomes for children, young people and families.  Due to the cross-cutting nature of the report, it was requested that the report be referred to Cabinet for discussion and decision.

Resolved: -  (1)  That the Cabinet Member endorsed the proposal for a Children, Young People and Families’ Commissioning Group as set out in the submitted report. 

(2)  That the report be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet for consideration.