Press Release – IoCP set to improve standards by launching an Accredited Commissioner Examination in Jan 2010
The IoCP is the voice of commissioners and commissioners want to see the profession develop standards and relevant skills. For far too long commissioners have been recruited without a key understanding of what they should do and how they should conduct their business.
There is now strong evidence on effectiveness to suggest that commissioners should no longer be viewed as a support service but as budget holders in their own right. In order to meet user requirements, it is their responsibility to shape markets as well as securing a better deal through the use of techniques such as category management.
In the Institute’s view, commissioners should possess the full range of skills required for them to act at the budget holding level, ensuring the requirements of the customers are identified and met in an effective manner. These skills include technical skills in health or social care, soft skills in dealing with people, commissioning, contracting, finance and information as well as marketing and legal knowledge. We foresee that this high level role as set out in World Class Commissioning requires broad knowledge and an ability to take a strategic view and controlled risk taking.
We will from 1st January, only allow new members to join the IoCP who have passed the entrance examination for Accredited Commissioner.
The content will be a core of 10 modules and exemptions will be given for equivalent qualifications. The IoCP will also assure University and FE courses to ensure their content meets these new standards.
The introduction of Accredited Commissioner is an important landmark in workforce development for commissioners. In return for taking the initiative to improve workforce standards, we urge all CEOs and HR Directors to include the requirement for IoCP membership in job descriptions for commissioning roles. At this stage it may only be desirable. In later years, we anticipate that this will become essential.
With restrictions on government expenditure leading to a new thrust on use of resources, particularly with growing levels of the elderly, this initiative builds upon the three key pillars of commissioning, finance and workforce development which will be necessary to meet the customer’s care needs of the future.
Doug Forbes
Director IoCP,
88 Windsor Court,
Chase Side, Southgate,
London N14 5HS
020 8886 2462
www.commissioning.org.uk
doug.forbes@commissioning.org.uk