NAVCA welcomes the new definition of commissioning issued by the
Institute of Commissioning
Professionals. The definition is:
Commissioning means securing the services that most appropriately
address the needs and wishes of the individual service user, making
use of market intelligence and research, and planning
accordingly.
Kevin Curley, NAVCA Chief Executive, said:
"This is a helpful definition. Local third sector organisations
must make sure that they are involved in the early stages of the
commissioning process so that local people get the social care,
education, youth work and other services that they need.
This definition makes it clear that commissioning is not the
same as contracting. There is absolutely no reason why
commissioners should not "secure the services that address needs"
through grants rather than contracts. Grants will often be much
more effective, efficient and low cost than competitive tendering
processes leading to contracts."