Focus groups on Local Authority Commissiong for market diversity and choice

The Care Act (2014) describes a new duty for local authorities to shape local markets of care and support to ensure their quality, diversity and sustainability for the whole population.

TLAP and the Programme Management Office established to oversee the Care Act reforms will be producing materials to support implementation of the new duty, relating to market diversity and the role different stakeholders can play in making sure that adequate choice is available locally. The work will explore what commissioners, providers and people who use services can do to help shape a diverse market place, and what support they need in order to do this well. We will be holding a number of Focus Groups across the country, facilitated by independent consultants, Louise Close and Andrew Tyson, to provide a forum for anyone with an interest in market shaping to contribute their experience, ideas and comments.

We are particularly looking to explore what we mean by diversity in the social care market place, how it can be developed and how it can be evidenced. In addition, we will be seeking to understand what helps and what hinders the delivery of real choice and control, both in terms of what commissioning authorities and providers need to do, and in relation to what support people who use services and their carers need to navigate a diverse market place.

There will be three focus group meetings from 8^th December - 8^th January, across the country.

If you are unable to attend one of the groups but have something to offer this piece of work, there will be opportunities to participate in other ways. Look out for details in forthcoming e-newsletters.