Commissioning processes
How commissioning works in Lewisham Adult Social Care
The Adult Integrated Commissioning Team is the planning division of the Adult Social Care and Health department. We are responsible for making sure the right services are available in Lewisham so that adult residents and their carers can access the care and support they need to live well.
Our role includes planning and managing services in health, social care, housing support, and public health. We lead projects that help people stay healthy and independent, and we check that care services are safe, good quality, and meet local needs.
We achieve this through commissioning - the process of planning, buying, and reviewing care and support services for adults.
What commissioning involves
- Listening to people – We listen to residents, carers, and professionals to understand what matters most. We review feedback (compliments/complaints) from service providers and conduct our own engagement through surveys and forums to build understanding of need.
- Understanding Health and Care Needs: We review data on population health and care needs to inform which sorts of services may be needed based on the health and care issues facing the population.
- Choosing services – We identify providers who can deliver safe, respectful, and high-quality care.
- Setting clear agreements – We make sure services are focused on good outcomes and clear standards.
- Monitoring and improving – We regularly check services and support them to keep improving.
We work closely with the NHS, care providers, GPs, hospitals, unpaid carers, and people with lived experience - as well as other services like housing - to make sure everything is joined up and focused on what matters most to residents.
Why this matters
Commissioning helps make sure people get the right care at the right time, with services that adapt as people’s needs change. Our approach is guided by key values:
- listening to residents and carers
- focusing on safety and quality
- working together with partners
- always looking for ways to improve
By commissioning in this way, we help ensure that Lewisham’s care services continue to meet people’s needs—now and in the future.