There are a number of ways of describing the commissioning process, but they all share the same basic characteristics of effective commissioning. The basic stages in the commissioning process can be summarised as:

• Understand – understand needs, resources and priorities and agree outcomes

The section on Assessing needs provides some further guidance on this stage

• Plan –  map and plan sustainable and diverse services to deliver outcomes

The section on Mapping and designing services provides some further guidance on this stage

• Do – procure and develop services based on the plan

The section on Securing service delivery provides some further guidance on this stage

• Review – monitor service delivery of outcomes and take remedial action if necessary.

The section on Monitor and review performance provides some further guidance on this stage

All four of these stages are equally important, and should be transparent, with ongoing consultation and engagement with key stakeholders including providers and children, young people and families.