Evaluating the outsourcing of social care in England
At the Government Outcomes Lab, we are investigating the complex realities of outsourcing in adult and children’s social care, challenging assumptions that market-driven solutions can resolve critical issues of service provision and quality.
Led by Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen, Dr Eleanor Carter, and Dr Benjamin Goodair, this project builds on previous Nuffield-funded research that revealed a sharp increase in the outsourcing of residential care services to private providers - particularly for-profit companies - over the past two decades. Despite this trend, inspection ratings from the Care Quality Commission and Ofsted consistently show that publicly operated and third-sector providers deliver higher-quality care.
Our research aims to deepen understanding of how contracting practices shape care quality and access. Through a mixed-methods approach, we will analyse local authority outsourcing trends, examine how contractual terms align with service outcomes, and engage directly with practitioners through expert interviews and co-creation workshops.
By generating robust, experience-informed evidence, this project will equip policymakers, commissioners, and service providers with the insights needed to improve social care delivery. Ultimately, we seek to answer pressing questions about the role of the private sector in delivering essential social services and ensure that outsourcing decisions are driven by a commitment to high-quality, equitable care.
You can read more about the research here.
