Our commissioning approach for adults, children and families in Gateshead - commissioning priorities 2024-2025

Gateshead has been active in regional commissioning collaboration for many years, including various formal arrangements, for both adults and children's services. These have played a significant role in the way the council procures and assures services in several sectors, until recently. Such regional arrangements have been widespread and multi-faceted in the Northeast, by comparison with other parts of the UK. However, the formal aspects of this culture of regional collaboration are now often dwindling or coming to an end.

Several procurement frameworks and joint contract management arrangements are now expected to end, in some cases because they are felt to be ineffective or because no local authority is prepared to carry the burden of leading the work. The loss or risk to Gateshead occasioned by these changes will generally be limited. The council has gained from regional collaboration around quality assurance, particularly for user groups/sectors where Gateshead relies on placements out of area.

Northeast councils are still keen to work together to share information, manage risk and provide mutual support, particularly in adults social care. Recent examples include major safeguarding concerns and issues relating to overseas workers. There are clearly benefits for Gateshead in remaining active partners in regional collaboration, including through ADASS and ADCS networks. It may even lead or instigate in collaboration around certain issues.