The Academy is supported by the Cabinet Office, the Local Government Association, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service, the Department for Education, the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Home Office.
It will use practical, peer-led learning to assist carefully selected cross-sectoral groups of commissioners to explore key issues in commissioning: outcome-based commissioning; systems-thinking; market engagement; alternative funding models; joint commissioning; innovative organisational models.
There have been 2 pilot cohorts which included commissioners from the nearby areas of Oldham MBC and Cheshire West and Chester. The next cohort begins in April 2013.
More about the Academy can be found here.