Consultant, Trainer and Associate
My experience spans frontline practice, operational management, local authority commissioning, regional programme management, project, regulatory and partnership work. For the past 15 years, I’ve worked independently, supporting local authorities, commissioning partnerships, foster care providers and children’s homes with strategic, operational and commissioning challenges.
In 2010, CICADA (originally standing for Children in Care Arrangements Database) was founded after I supported an independent provider to ensure commissioning authorities were aware of the organisation's particularly specialist and rare services. Undertaking this work I recognised the significant variation in local authority commissioning, contracting and home-finding arrangements. I realised that these widespread differences resulted in the inefficient duplication of effort, with providers, authorities and consortia spending valuable time navigating differing processes. Whilst the original intention of CICADA was to maintain a database of all commissioned and contracted services for children in care, CICADA evolved primarily as a consultancy service. I have, however, maintained a rare longitudinal overview of local authority and consortia foster care commissioning and contracting arrangements across England, Scotland and Wales since 2013. This, along with almost daily interactions with providers and commissioners, provides me with a unique insight into how different approaches evolve and the factors that influence their success. It has enabled me to provide meaningful, evidence-informed advice to local authorities and providers, grounded in an understanding not only of commissioning and contracting models, but also of the governance, culture and relationships that underpin effective collaboration and sustainable change.
I am passionate about ensuring there is sufficient capacity and the right mix of services so that children can be matched with homes and carers best able to meet their needs. I believe children achieve the best outcomes when local authorities and providers work in partnership, supported by strong leadership, trusting relationships, effective systems and the practical know-how needed to maximise stability and create lasting positive change.
Since 2010 - Consultancy, facilitation and training to local authorities, providers and regional partnerships on commissioning and delivering services for children in care. Helping organisations develop practical, collaborative solutions that strengthen relationships, improve commissioning practice and secure better outcomes for children in care. Working directly with providers, undertaking regulatory visits and contributing to service improvement.
As an Associate of the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers for 13 years (leading on Partnerships), I maintained a national overview of commissioning and contracting arrangements, chaired routine national and regional partnership forums, and provided strategic and operational advice to independent fostering agencies and commissioners. In this role, I led the review of the National Fostering Model Contract, delivered training on agreeing fair fees, and authored numerous reports, briefings and practice guides on commissioning, partnership working, referrals, matching and contractual arrangements.
As Regional Programme Manager for the South West Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (RIEP), I worked with Directors of Children’s Services and commissioners to develop and manage regional improvement programmes. I co-led the Collaborative Commissioning Support Unit, facilitated forums for local authorities and providers, and supported sub-regional consortia to establish and embed collaborative commissioning and framework arrangements.
As a local authority Commissioning Manager for Looked After Children, I led the home finding team, authored the children in care commissioning strategy and developed integrated funding arrangements across health, education and social care. I was responsible for replacing sequential sourcing with an innovative parallel-searching approach to home finding. This improved timely access to the most appropriate homes for children. As a consequence the Authority experienced improved stability for the children in its care.
During my time with Sense, I worked directly with young people and adults with complex and sensory needs before progressing into management roles. I went on to establish and manage residential and community services for young adults leaving care, gaining experience in service development and operational leadership.
Marie, I’m long removed from this work these days as I slip ever deeply into the joy of retirement. But I will always remember the sanity and independence of your judgements about both fostering and residential care.
— Sir Martin Narey - Retired: previously:Head of Prisons and Probation in England and Wales. CE of Barnardo’s UK: Ex Government Adviser on children’s issues.
In a very short space of time, I’ve learned a huge amount from your knowledge, relationships and deep understanding of commissioning and procurement. Your influence on the way the sector thinks about partnership working, contracts and system stewardship is clear to see, and the work you’ve led has left a lasting legacy.
— Mark Owers - Chief Executive of the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
Marie, having worked alongside you for several years in your role in NAFP its immeasurable the positive impact you have truly had on the sector. I have learnt so much from you - your wealth of knowledge, insight, experience cutting across several disciplines, determination and most fundamentally, passion to do what is absolutely right for children and young people. Your ability to navigate some really challenging and thorny subject matters with colleagues has always impressed me, along with how collaborative and paceful your approach is, which is so important.
— Sarah Wickham - Director of Service Development - Capstone
I wish you all the best during your period of change Marie. I echo others on sharing how my learning and development has come from your support, knowledge, guidance and sheer common sense and logic! (We all need to cut through the fog now and again!!) I cannot thank you enough for all you have done,
— Jenine Brister - Commissioning Manager
A continuous voice of reason in a crazy world.
— Niall Kelly - Chief Executive Officer at MHC and Young Foundations
I had no idea what relational commissioning was - until I asked you and you explained it! You explain such complicated systems and concepts so well.
— Lyn Butterworth - Nominated Individual
