National Framework for CCG Development

We have now launched a national framework of leadership development support available to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to support them in developing the leadership capacity and capability needed to commission high quality healthcare.

This national framework of quality assured providers has been selected through a rigorous procurement process by GPs and other clinicians from across the NHS, to meet the leadership development needs of CCGs.

Dr Shikha Pitalia, GP and Chair of the United League Commissioning Consortia for Wigan and St Helens, and a member of the procurement panel said:

 “To ensure healthcare of the highest quality, there needs to be outstanding leadership demonstrated by clinical commissioning groups.

“With the pace of change in the current environment, clinical commissioning groups will need support to develop their organisations and leadership capacity rapidly. This national framework will help develop the outstanding leadership at a local level, by providing a selection of quality leadership development providers in line with local needs.”

The procurement framework allows CCGs to tailor leadership support through a process of self assessment of their development needs and local procurement from the national framework against these.

The support that CCGs can commission through this framework will enable clinical leaders and CCGs to develop the right leadership behaviours, and receive the support necessary to develop the leadership capability and capacity to commission healthcare effectively.

The Framework

To make sure that the right level of tailored support is available the framework has been divided into four lots – relating to different leadership challenges CCGs face. These are based upon feedback received from GPs and other clinicians involved in commissioning:

• Setting up and leading a high performing CCG
• Working collaboratively and across boundaries
• Working with and influencing national and local politics
• Engaging and leading colleagues in general practice, through distributed leadership

A more detailed description of each Lot can be found here.  CCGs may find this useful in selecting which of the Lots is the most appropriate for them to utilise, recognising that there may be some overlap in their needs between the Lots.

The Providers

Each Lot has a series of approved providers that we have already quality assured through a rigorous process. Click on the provider’s name below for their "unique selling points".  Each CCG is required to invite all providers on the Lot it selects to bid in the mini-competition process (see below):

The Process

The first element of the process involves the CCG being able to identify its development needs in the form of a Development Plan (or similar).  This will help inform each Provider in responding to the mini-competition process, and will enable support purchased through the Framework to be both value for money and appropriately tailored to local needs.  A basic assessment tool has been made available for CCGs to look at their development needs on the Department of Health's Pathfinder Learning Network website, and can be accessed here.  Support is available from your PCT cluster to assist in the production of a Development Plan if you do not have one yet.

Armed with the Development Plan (or similar) the CCG will conduct a mini-competition process locally from suppliers on the Framework.  It is strongly advised that you involve your PCT cluster in this process at this stage as they will have experience in utilising similar national Frameworks, and the bursary support will be made available via the PCT clusters. 

Guidance on how to conduct the mini-competition process is available here.

SHA clusters and PCT clusters have agreed to provide support to CCGs on how to access this Framework.  We are also keen that our national offer will compliment any local development support that has either already been provided/offered or that may be planned.  Arrangements have been different across the country with respect to development support, although the level of bursary support that the NLA is making available is currently a fixed sum per CCG. 

CCGs will need to invite all providers for the Lot they choose to take part in the local mini-competition. As the Framework selection process has already assured quality, this mini-competition will involve each provider making a pitch and the CCG deciding which best will meet its needs within the available budget.

Once the mini-competition process has been initiated, the NLA will provide each CCG (and their supporting PCT cluster/SHA) with details of how the bursary may be accessed.  A sample agreement for use between the CCG (PCT cluster as statutory body) and the Provider will also be available.

Guidance, support and next steps

For a high level diagram of the process involved click here

If you have any queries regarding the Framework, please contact the NLA’s dedicated support:

Alison Maynard tel: 07717 571843 or
John Lewin tel: 07748 182685
email: ccgframework@institute.nhs.uk (If you email us please do indicate whether you are in a CCG, PCT cluster, or SHA cluster as that will help us tailor our response).

You will need to contact Alison or John (or the email above) in order to send your mini-competiton process to the providers.  When you are ready they will forward the email details where you have to send your mini-competition documents to in order to access the providers on the Framework.  Alison or John also need to know that you have issued the mini-competition and the timescales you have put in place for receipt and decision.  Please note that the bursary will only be made available if you follow the process - so we strongly advise you speak to Alison or John or email Simon as soon as you have decided to proceed.