Procuring Children’s Residential Services from the Independent Sector

The Sheffield 0-19+ Partnership has launched a long-term approach to procurement and commissioning based on needs analysis, financial assessments and market assessments.

This case study shows how the Strategic Contracts and Access to Resources Team has evolved within an agreed governance and commissioning framework to better engage with suppliers of residential services for children and young people, standardising processes and prices to reduce variation and costs. It highlights the steps that Sheffield has taken to develop a contracting culture, creating greater choice, flexibility and innovation, and delivering improved outcomes for the city's children and young people.