Summary of what managers/professional leads have to do and know

Having the right information/data/evidence is the key to influencing commissioning.

When you collect and analyse your own local data collect, consider and include:

direct and indirect services
client attributable and whole systems activity
service development and organisational development activities.

These will help you to explain what is provided and why.

Link output to outcomes. Illustrate the effectiveness of your service by using qualitative data.

Use local and national benchmarks

Don't be constrained by what is being asked of you - it's as much about educating purchasers about what they need to know as much as what they want to know.

If funding has to be cut then identify which parts of your service you should stop providing by means of risk assessment and options appraisal.