Explore how values inform adult social care commissioning across teams, organisations and the wider care and support system, including values of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Values are the principles and beliefs that guide our decisions and actions. They shape what matters to us and influence our motivations and behaviours.
The values of commissioning starts with the wellbeing of people and communities. A person-centred approach helps commissioners maintain a focus on people, community, inclusion and equity. A person-centred approach puts the person drawing on care and support at the centre of the way care is planned and delivered. It focuses on their needs, preferences and priorities, and puts into practice the principle of ‘no decision about me without me’.
My commissioning roles have centred around hope and belief every human being deserves dignity and respect and can be offered support to empower themselves.
Through commissioning both large contracts and grassroots or outreach projects, and communities of practice I have been able to implement services, consult with service users and steer design for future services which embed these values.
Victoria Walters-Mendes, Senior Partnership Commissioner, Adult Social Care, NHS Kent and Medway ICB
Team values
A set of shared values that guide how you work together. Understanding your teams’ values will help you align your approach and feel connected to the bigger picture.
Organisational values
Most organisations, whether that’s a local authority, integrated care system or other integrated setting, will have a vision and a set of values that they work to.
To find your organisational values, ask your team, or look at your organisation’s website. Helpful documents to read include Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA), market position statements, and internal strategies.
Commissioning values
Commissioning values include statutory values, for example the Care Act 2014 places a statutory duty on local authorities to promote wellbeing.
Commissioning values also include key current policy priorities, for example, values of promoting prevention, keeping people in their own homes for as long as possible, or promoting neighbourhood collaboration.
To find wider commissioning values, familiarise yourself with key legislation and policy documents. See Commissioning legislation, statutory duties and regulatory frameworks.
Community values
Commissioners and people with lived experience who helped shape this induction framework suggested that good commissioning should be guided by values of inclusion, choice, rights and citizenship. They suggested that commissioners should always ask “what makes a good life for people?” to inspire innovation and creativity.
To research your community values, speak to communities. See Working with others: Commissioning relationships.
Universal sector values
The Management and Leadership Code for Health and Social Care sets out key values for how leaders and managers across the system should work with others. The values are accountability, collaboration, compassion, curiosity, inclusion and integrity. These values sit at the heart of the Leadership Qualities Framework and map across to the Care Workforce Pathway.
The Leadership Qualities Framework also shows how these values shape effective leadership in adult social care, describing the behaviours that good leaders should demonstrate to lead well at different levels and support quality services.
Top tip
Considering the values that motivate you can help you translate these values into your decisions and actions in your new role. Being intentionally values-based can give you the confidence that you’re ‘doing the right thing’.
Commissioning with values guides your decisions. They shape how you work, who you collaborate with, and the choices you make. In a world where commissioning often involves complexity and ambiguity, your values provide clarity and confidence.
As part of my previous role in frontline mental health support, I would submit data to commissioners who would review the submission to ensure we were on track with our performance.
In every interaction I had with commissioners, I felt that my voice was heard regarding feedback and suggestions, which meant that the voices of the people we support were also heard. I was able to identify gaps in provision and share feedback from service users.
Upon entering the role, I have been able to use my experience to really understand what is needed within the community and now have the skills and relationships to help embed change.
Kennedy Broxup, Commissioning Officer, Lancashire County Council
Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion
Another core value in commissioning are values of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (EEDI). Commissioning in adult social care means treating everyone with respect and dignity.
Depending on your personal and professional background, you may be very familiar with key terminology in EEDI. If this is a newer area for you, we’ve included definitions of what key terms might mean for commissioning:
Equality
Equality means ensuring that every individual has equal access to opportunities and is not treated less favourably due to their protected characteristics.
In commissioning, this involves designing services in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Equity
Equity recognises that individuals have different needs and circumstances, and aims to provide the resources and support necessary to achieve equal outcomes.
In commissioning, equity involves removing barriers and tailoring services to meet the specific needs of different individuals and communities.
Diversity
Diversity refers to recognising, respecting, and valuing differences in people.
In commissioning, this means ensuring services reflect and respond to the varied identities and experiences of the population.
Human rights
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled.
In commissioning, this means ensuring services uphold human rights in line with the Human Rights Act 1998.
Inclusion
Inclusion is about creating environments and services where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and able to participate fully.
In commissioning, this involves engaging with communities, especially those at risk of exclusion, and designing services that are accessible and responsive.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how multiple social identities (e.g. race, gender, disability) intersect to create unique experiences of disadvantage or privilege.
In commissioning, it helps identify and address complex inequalities by considering how overlapping factors affect access to services.
Inclusion health groups
Refers to socially excluded populations who experience multiple overlapping risk factors for poor health, such as homelessness, substance dependence, migration status, or contact with the justice system.
Commissioning for these groups requires trauma-informed, accessible, and integrated services.
Mental capacity
Refers to an individual's ability to make decisions for themselves. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a legal framework for supporting decision-making and protecting individuals who lack capacity.
Commissioners must ensure services uphold the Mental Capacity Act’s five principles, including assuming capacity and acting in best interests.
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity acknowledges that people experience and interact with the world in different ways due to neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
In commissioning, this means ensuring systems and communications are inclusive.
Protected characteristics
Defined by the Equality Act 2010, the nine protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Commissioners must ensure services do not discriminate directly or indirectly against these characteristics.
Seldom heard communities
Groups who are underrepresented in engagement and decision-making processes, often due to social, cultural, or systemic barriers. Examples include people from the global majority, LGBTQ+ people, rural communities, and people with disabilities. Commissioning must actively reach out to understand how to involve these groups to ensure equitable service design.
Unconscious bias
We all have unconscious biases which can influence our decisions and behaviours.
In commissioning, recognising and mitigating unconscious bias is essential to ensure fair recruitment, engagement, and service delivery.
Allyship
This is active support for the rights of others without necessarily having characteristics in common. In commissioning this means ensuring services are designed in ways to support the intersectionality of communities which you may not identify with personally.
A key element of working with all people and partners is promoting, valuing and celebrating equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights. When people feel able to bring their whole selves into interactions, and feel that their unique voice and perspective is heard, trust can be built and collaborative relationships developed.
Recognise the framework from which the partners you are approaching are working from to understand what’s integral to them and also what they have been through.
A lot of history causes barriers to partners taking new professional alliances, or perceiving threat. It is worth working hard to achieve a stronger bond with partners and bring them all together so that they all understand each other and the communities they serve from new perspectives, and promote one another’s services as parts of the pie which make the whole.
Victoria Walters-Mendes, Senior Partnership Commissioner, Adult Social Care, NHS Kent and Medway ICB
I champion equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights by ensuring people with lived experience are active partners, not just consulted. I’ve learned from past tokenistic engagement to create processes which prioritise genuine collaboration.
Bestina Bukori, Coproduction and Engagement Lead, Slough Borough Council