“Commissioning is the process of specifying, securing and monitoring services to meet people’s needs at a strategic level”
(Audit Commission, Making Ends Meet, October 2003)

The purpose of Joint Commissioning is to:

• Secure the best services
• With the best value for money
• With the greatest impact for children and young people
• While ensuring equality of access across Sandwell

It is the co-ordination of analysis of need, including perspectives of children and young people (C&YP), carers and staff about the services provided; mapping what services are currently provided and how well these are meeting identified needs; analysis of national guidance and evidence of effective practice; co ordination and development of strategy for areas identified; service reviews, where provision crosses organisations; Joint Commissioning, development of new or redesigned services and monitoring of delivery against outcomes.

Areas of work include: Teenage Pregnancy Strategy; CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services); Substance Misuse Strategy; Children and Young People’s Health Services, including Maternity Care, services for young carers and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) young people and support to a variety of other areas.