Commissioning for Health and Social Care

Postgraduate Certificate

Theories and models of commissioning

Module code: 7HW056

This module will enable you to explore the concepts and theories of commissioning. You will examine a range of health and social care policies relevant to the subject including health inequality; health needs assessment, epidemiology and the potential of health gain. You will evaluate the sociological, technical, political, and professional drivers influencing the commissioning process in a range of organisations and how these influence your own area of work via work-based learning projects and assessments.

Assessment Description:

You will be required to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the theoretical models of commissioning and their application to your own organisations commissioning process using appropriate health needs assessment and epidemiological evidence. For your chosen area or organisation you will demonstrate application of the principles and identify any gaps or challenges that you may have in the process and make recommendations for the future

Applied commissioning

Module code: 7HW057

This module will enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of contracts, contract law and the contracting process used in commissioning. You will be able to evaluate a range of contracting options and the associated risks and benefits of each system. You will be able to demonstrate a range of project management skills in the application of the commissioning process including budget setting, budget management and in particular information gathering and data analysis. You will identify and use a range of quality metrics relevant to your own organisation

Assessment Description:

You will take an existing commissioning contract and carryout a content analysis using a range of theoretical concepts and models. You will make recommendations of how this could have been improved following your analysis to improve for the benefit of patient, service user and or clients.

Work-based learning

Module code: 7WB001

The module aims to enable you to work or plan work in the health, social care arenas to: - Construct a learning contract relevant to their employment - Undertake work based actions that will result in relevant learning - Demonstrate learning relevant to their employment that will result in service development and improvement or the planning of the former. - Further develop reflective practice skills whilst reflecting on work based learning achieved

Assessment Description:

You will identify a work-based project in which you will construct a piece of work that is relevant to commissioning for health and social care. You will be supported by a work-based learning tutor who will guide you through the process of your project.

Market Shaping and Mapping

Module code: 7HW059

This module will enable you to explore a range of market analysis, market trends and mapping tools relevant to the commissioning process. You will demonstrate a range of skills in particular goal setting, prioritisation and decision making processes relevant to commissioning.

Assessment Description:

Choose a specific health or social care issue which has been identified as a priority within your local area. Produce a report that could be delivered to the local commissioner which analyses the provider market, and carries out an appraisal of the options on how the required services could be secured.

OR

Choose a specific health or social care issue which has been identified as a priority within your local area. Produce a report that could be delivered to your local Health and Wellbeing Board, which set out the process for priority setting and the rationale for which interventions to commission

Leading and delivering Quality through commissioning

Module code: 7HW058

This module will enable you to critically evaluate a range of leadership theories and styles relevant to commissioning. You will explore a range of quality tools and measure available to commissioners in relation to procurement and contracting of services. You will have an opportunity to develop a range of personal skills in particular negotiating and influencing skills, public relations and communication skills.

Assessment Description:

Further to your presentation you will be required to develop your action plan identifying the key challenges faced within an organisation for leading and developing innovation and change in the commissioning role. You will discuss in detail your personal leadership skills and how you would take forward your action plan drawing on the principles and theories of good leadership this assessment will enable you to apply the principles of leadership to your work-place and the role of the commissioner in organisations.

Advanced Research skills

Module code: 7HW012

The aim of this module is to provide you with depth knowledge of the research process and to acquire practical skills for the design and conduct of research studies, including data collection and analysis. You will plan a research study to be carried out independently, in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master's Dissertation. You will write a research plan in preparation for the development of the research proposal needed in your application for ethical approval of your study. You will gain a critical, depth knowledge of the methodologies and research methods you will need in order to write Chapter 3 (Methodology and Methods) of your Master's Dissertation.

Assessment Description:

You will develop a research plan and proposal to prepare you for the dissertation module

The final component of the MSc is an independent study element selected from three options:

· Research dissertation. Your independent piece of research is designed, planned and carried out with academic supervision.

· Evidence-based practice project. This project is determined by its relevance to your current workplace.

· Consultancy project. A negotiated consultancy project with agreed delivery and evaluation that will enable you to demonstrate independent study skills and provide an opportunity to develop a range of consultancy skills including, financial, leadership and project management skills.

In order to see more about the modules we offer and to prepare for your academic counselling session please visit our module information pages.