Workforce planning, transformation and commissioning

This Workforce Strategy was developed by Skills for Care in collaboration with the
adult social care sector – including people who draw on care and support. It seeks to
set out where we are now, the drivers and case for change, and where we want to
make changes to build the workforce of the future.

This strategy represents us asking and listening to people and jointly thinking about how we could improve adult social care for the benefit of those who draw on it, their families and carers, and for those who may need it in the future. 

View the strategy for adult social care in West Sussex 2022-2025

‘The life you want to lead’ is the new strategy that sets out five priorities to guide the future development of West Sussex County Council’s adult social care services up to 2025.

This guide gives an overview of the foundations for how good commissioning should work and looks at what we can learn from commissioning approaches during the COVID-19 crisis. It discusses how commissioners can work in true partnership with citizens, providers and the community to resolve issues faced in social care and make positive outcomes a reality. For more detail about the impacts of COVID-19 and commissioning for the future, please see the other guides in this series.

Career pathways and journeys into commissioning

This guide has been created to enable people to aspire to and know how to become a
commissioner for wellbeing. It contains information useful for anyone considering a career
in commissioning, as well as people who already work as a commissioner and would like to
further develop their career.

This course provides clinicians and managers with an in-depth exploration of healthcare leadership, policy, and practice. It blends academic research with real-world policy insights, hands-on projects, and workplace-based investigations. The programme stands out for its integration of leadership theory with modern healthcare policies, emphasising practical application, clinical expertise, and evidence-based change.

Location: University of Brighton Falmer campus, University of Sussex Falmer campus.

Updated: May 2022

This is one in a series of commissioning guides focusing on impacts and responses during the pandemic. This guide focuses on the immediate future of commissioning in light of COVID-19. As such, it does not try to address all thinking about commissioning which will be inextricably linked to the future of social care.

This report provides information about the adult social care sector, including its size and
structure, employment information, recruitment and retention issues, workforce demographics,
pay, qualification and training rates, workforce projections, and factors affecting staff turnover
and CQC ratings. This year, following changes to UK immigration rules, additional information
has been provided regarding the level of international recruitment within adult social care and its
impact on the workforce.

Commissioning is the process by which health and care services are planned, purchased and monitored. Here we look at the commissioning process in more detail, the organisations involved and how it is changing.

Commissioning comprises a range of activities, including:

• assessing needs
• setting priorities
• planning services
• procuring services
• monitoring quality.

Claire Wardle – 30th January 2024

Commissioning cycles for social care can vary across different local authorities. The social care needs of a local authority can change continuously so it is vital procedures are in place to accommodate that so every individual gets the care they need when they need it.  

But, what are the best ways to do this?  

We have guidance and tools to help both providers and commissioners to shape, commission, plan and develop the workforce.