Day 3 of SOC20 began with 'Impact alchemy: turning data into decisions and decisions into outcomes'. Gail Gibbons offered a provider perspective on a data driven future, highlighting the importance of data measurement that is meaningful to service users and manageable for providers. Olivia Prentice advocated for a joined-up approach to defining impact, in order to hold all parties to account. This consensus-building can be supported by a more open approach to data, a position supported by Sarah Henry, who nevertheless highlighted the importance of an equal concern for privacy. A debate also developed around the role of power dynamics between investors and providers in access to data, with Paddy Carter suggesting the key to navigating these challenges was good relationships, underpinned by mutual interest and negotiation.
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Then we explored risk transfer and innovation in outcomes-based contracting, with a particular focus on how these themes may be reflected in responses to the Covid-19 crisis. Helen Evans shared a comparative study of social impact bond markets, highlighting the low percentage of market-driven SIBs, and signification variation in investor variation between markets. Gary Painter then introduced two questions: Do SIBs attract new capital? And do they accelerate social innovation? Elen Riot discussed the apparent differences in attitude to the pandemic between SIB actors and ‘traditional’ public services. Finally, Abby Semple suggested that Covid-19 has shown that risk can never ultimately be transferred from the public sector. We ended with a discussion of the themes raised in these presentations, and what experiences of Covid-19 might mean for the future design of SIBs.
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Concurrently we held the International Network for Data on Impact and Government Outcomes. We heard from Susan de Witt and Claudia Coppenolle about their work on impact data and the Sustainable Development Goals. Ian Makgill pleased everyone by offering up his huge open contracting data set and called for more transparency. Oscar Hernandez offered a case study of how open data helped improve procurement and encouraged healthy competition in Colombia. And Stefaan Verhust explained that data collaboratives need to be systematic, sustainable and responsible in order to work. We then saw data visualisations from the Hack and Learn and steps forward. There are lots of ways you can get involved, including the next session on 24th September.
Listen to the audio recording of the session.