Those lovely people at the Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health (JCP-MH) have published four new guides to help those of you involved in commissioning community specialist services, older people’s services, inpatient and crisis home treatment and services for people with learning disabilities.

These guides are short (around 20 pages), readable and nicely summarised with ten key messages for commissioners in each.

Guidance for commissioners of community specialist mental health services (PDF)

Explores the role of Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), Assertive Outreach Teams and Early Intervention Teams among others.

Guidance for commissioners of older people’s mental health services (PDF)

Developed by a group of older people’s mental health professionals, people with mental health problems, and carers. The content is primarily evidence and literature-based, but ideas deemed to be best practice by expert consensus have also been included.

Guidance for commissioners of acute care – inpatient and crisis home treatment (PDF)

Explains the purpose, characteristics and components of acute care so that commissioners can commission good quality services that are therapeutic, safe and support recovery.

Guidance for commissioners of mental health services for people with learning disabilities (PDF)

Aimed at all commissioners responsible for mental health services for people with learning disabilities including young people in transition to adulthood. The guide will also be helpful for providers of mental health services and for family carers.

The JCP-MH is a collaboration between public sector organisations, charities and professional bodies. Their aim is to “inspire commissioners to improve mental health and wellbeing, using a values based commissioning model”.