East Sussex County Council

Contracts and Purchasing Team

Lynn Mounfield -

Head of Contracts and Purchasing ASC

Developing strategic suppliers of social care

• We would like to develop closer supplier relationships with a number of organisations that are aligned with the Council’s goals and objectives. In general terms through better management of fewer suppliers and a more focussed supply base we can work together

• Strategic supplier management provides the framework to ensure that the ongoing relationship with the service provider(s) achieves good quality services for people. The use of this system is being investigated to see how it can be an incentive for quality and innovation.

Why ?

• Work closely together to meet organisational objectives• Allow for changing requirements, business strategies and

economic realities• facilitate strategic planning for the future• promote effective communication throughout the

collaboration• mitigate risks• enhance transparency and visibility into cost structures

and operations• Better value for money• Encourage innovation• Improve the quality of provision• Better manage fewer suppliers with a more focussed

supply base

How will it work?

• The Strategic Suppliers will be given as a first option to people looking to go into care and therefore the provider will have vacancies filled and fewer voids.

• This would then impact on the fluidity of the market place in challenging financial times, developing a sustainable market place.

• Develop a Continuous Improvement and Service Development Programme with these suppliers with the input from the Quality Monitoring Team.

• Return of KPI’s and demonstration of achieving targets could lead to incentive payments

• Training identified and supplied by ESCC

Entry Criteria

• The entry criteria is currently being explored and will be finalised in March

• ESCC would like to work with Care Homes who are efficient

• Other market factors will also be considered

Terms and Conditions

• As part of this process we have decided to re-look at the Preferred Provider contract and clarify certain points

• Compare with the specification to make sure there is reduced duplication.

• There is to be a meeting in March where all Preferred Providers will be invited to attend to discuss