SS7004 - Commissioning Youth and Community Services (2020/21)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2020/21 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Commissioning Youth and Community Services | ||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Social Professions | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2020/21(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of:
1. Public service commissioning in a changing world;
2. Commissioning for social value and local economic development
3. Outputs, outcomes and evaluation in public procurement
The aim of the course is to develop a critical understanding of the role of commissioning in developing services that meet local needs and improve people’s lives.
Syllabus
• From grants to contracts: 30 years of commissioning
• Commissioning for social value
• Evidence-based commissioning: needs & outcomes
• Community involvement in commissioning (whose voices, whose needs?)
• Monitoring, measuring and evaluating impact
• Strategy and leadership
• Equality and human rights-based approaches
Learning Outcomes LO 1 - 4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The course material is studied through a combination of lectures, workshops and independent study. The lectures will introduce student to relevant theories, policies and debates, but there will be a strong focus throughout on commissioning in practice, using ‘real life’ examples to explore the challenges and opportunities for commissioners, providers and local communities. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own work and / or locality to gain a critical understanding of the links (if any) between theory, policy and practice. It is anticipated that students will have experience of different sectors and roles, eg as commissioners, service providers and or users. The workshops will enable them to explore key issues from these different perspectives, providing an opportunity for reflection and challenge.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course the students will be able to:
• Critically engage with the current debates about the role of commissioning and procurement (and the difference between the two). [LO1]
• Synthesize new knowledge concerning the challenges and opportunities offered by the Public Services (Social Value Act) 2012. [LO2]
• Develop an evidence-based approach to commissioning, drawing on a range of relevant sources including the views of service users and communities [LO3]
• Develop advanced professional capacity for working collaboratively across disciplines and professions to advance strategic approaches to commissioning.[LO4]
Assessment strategy
Critical reflection (3000 words) Students will reflect critically on an existing commissioning strategy, examining its rationale, values, evidence-base, and potential impact, both for service users and the wider community. It will consider how the service links with other local services and priorities and the extent to which it achieves social value.
Bibliography
Reading lists are held in the University’s reading list repository at the following link:
https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/SS7004.html