Keep it Local Health Commissioning Guide

This Locality guide helps health commissioners in England take a Keep it Local approach to working with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. It brings together practical recommendations and case studies on planning, co-design, funding approaches and evaluation. Community organisations can also use it to understand the approach and support conversations with local health partners.

• understand the benefits of commissioning with local VCSE organisations
• explore commissioning options, including grants and collaborative approaches
• involve communities early in service design and evaluation
• improve communication and support smaller local organisations to participate
• consider proportionate technical requirements and appropriate contract sizes