The Commissioning and Outcomes Frameworks underpin DHS’ work to support positive outcomes for South Australia’s people, families and their communities.
The Commissioning Framework
The Commissioning Framework explains how DHS plans for, develops, delivers and evaluates the programs it funds, with a focus on supporting positive outcomes for South Australia’s people, families and communities.
Why a Commissioning Framework?
DHS recognises the importance of relationships between funders and providers within the human services sector.
The Commissioning Framework provides a scaffolding from which to build strong relationships across the sector and design services that place people at the centre, and are evidence informed, systemically connected, and aligned to the departmental outcomes set out in the Outcomes Framework.
Framework elements
The Commissioning Framework is divided into principles and the commissioning cycle and has the outcomes for people, families and communities at its centre.
Commissioning principles
The commissioning principles describe how DHS approaches commissioning and guide consistent and intentional outcomes enablement practices.
- Shared accountability
- Coordinated and aligned
- Relationship based
- Innovative, flexible and responsive
- Robust evidence and evaluation
- Capacity for improvement
- Ethical administration.
Commissioning cycle
The commissioning cycle describes the high-level activities through which programs and services are designed, delivered and evaluated. There are four stages:
- Strategy
- Design
- Delivery
- Evaluation.
How the Commissioning Framework will be used
DHS will use the Commissioning Framework as a tool to guide strategic decisions and the development of outcomes-focused programs and services, as well as supporting the systemic elements that enable positive social impact.
Commissioning Framework resources
The Outcomes Framework
The Outcomes Framework explains the high-level outcomes DHS seeks to support, that all South Australians are:
- Healthy and safe
- Engaged and participating
- Empowered
- Thriving
- Included, strong and respected.
The Framework also includes indicators that measure how we are achieving these results.
Why an Outcomes Framework?
DHS recognises that focussing on outputs – or the activities that are delivered by the programs and services it funds – doesn’t tell the story about the impact of those activities.
Focussing on outcomes helps DHS think about how its funded programs and services contribute to the positive change they are designed to support.
How the Outcomes Framework will be used
The Outcomes Framework will be used:
- as a tool for commissioning,
- to better understand the service system’s capability and opportunities for improvement, and
- to make decisions about what programs and services the department invests in.
Outcome Framework resources
How the Frameworks were developed
The Outcomes and Commissioning Frameworks were developed by DHS with reference to feedback from human services sector leaders and service delivery practitioners, DHS executives and policy, contract management and procurement staff.
Contact us
For enquiries or additional information, email DHSCommissioningandOutcomesProject@sa.gov.au