care Organisations Call for End to “Short-Term, Cost-Driven Commissioning”

More Than a Provider, a collaboration of five not-for-profit social care organisations, has published a new position paper calling for a shift away from short-term, cost-driven commissioning and towards a model that delivers lasting value for people, communities and public services.

The report, Better Lives, Better Value, Better Partnership, argues that adult social care is too often shaped by procurement processes and the lowest hourly price, rather than the outcomes that matter most to people: stability, choice, trusted relationships and support that helps them live full lives in their communities.

More Than a Provider represents Brandon Trust, Certitude, Choice Support, Dimensions and MacIntyre. Together, the organisations support around 11,000 people with learning disabilities and autistic people and employ around 15,000 colleagues across England.

Looking beyond the lowest cost

The paper challenges the assumption that the cheapest option always represents best value. While cost remains important, it argues that decisions based primarily on the lowest price can create hidden costs elsewhere, including workforce disruption, service instability, repeated transitions and increased pressure on people, families and commissioners.

Instead, More Than a Provider is calling for commissioning decisions to be judged on their long-term impact, including continuity of support, wellbeing, stability, social value and outcomes for the people drawing on services.

Investing in the workforce improves outcomes

A key message from the report is that workforce investment should be recognised as a quality issue, not simply a cost pressure. Fair pay, learning opportunities, supervision, career development and workforce stability all contribute to safer, more consistent support and better outcomes for people.

The paper recommends that commissioners build workforce development and continuity into pricing models, contract arrangements and quality measures, recognising the vital role skilled, valued colleagues play in people’s lives.

Keeping public money close to people’s lives

The report also makes the case for responsible provider practice, arguing that public funding should remain focused on delivering direct public benefit. This means investing in the things people notice every day: familiar support workers, quality services, accessible homes, training, technology, communication support and strong community connections.

More Than a Provider is calling for greater transparency around how public money is used and for commissioning frameworks that recognise providers that reinvest in people, communities and long-term service quality.

A stronger focus on social value and sustainability

The report proposes a shift towards sustainable commissioning, where success is measured not only by immediate savings but by wider public benefit. This includes outcomes such as stronger communities, improved wellbeing, avoided crises, workforce stability and greater choice and control for people using services.

Among its recommendations is the development of a Responsible Provider Standard, which would help commissioners assess governance, workforce investment, financial stewardship, community benefit, social value and reinvestment alongside traditional quality measures.

Why market stability matters

The paper highlights that stable and sustainable social care markets benefit everyone involved. Longer-term partnerships, fair pricing and shared approaches to risk can help providers invest with confidence, give commissioners greater certainty, and most importantly ensure people continue receiving reliable support from those they know and trust.

The report warns that repeated tendering and short-term arrangements can disrupt lives, weaken relationships and divert resources away from improving support. Instead, it calls for commissioning approaches that prioritise continuity where services are working well and people want support to remain in place.

Working together for better lives

At the heart of the report is a simple principle: good commissioning and responsible provider practice should work together to protect people’s rights, strengthen communities and ensure public money delivers lasting value. The organisations behind More Than a Provider say reform is urgently needed and are inviting commissioners, policymakers, providers, people drawing on support and families to work together to create a more sustainable future for adult social care.