This is our monthly policy briefing for September 2020. Each week we gather all the news, commentary and events from across the sector, then tie it all together each month. If you would like to get this in your inbox each week you can sign up to Tiny Letter.
From 1st-4th September, we were joined (virtually) by hundreds of participants from around the world, to explore how government can unlock fruitful cross-sector partnerships to improve social outcomes. If you missed anything, recordings of all of the sessions are available on our website – see the links below:
Day 1 highlights and recordings – Featuring our keynote address by Professor David Van Slyke and respondent panel, a look at the UK’s experience of impact bonds, and resilience in social service systems.
Day 2 highlights and recordings – We asked the questions ‘if impact bonds are the answer, then what is the question? We compared the means and motives for measuring social outcomes, looked at how to grow an ecosystem for outcomes-based partnerships. We explored outcomes approaches employment support, and emergency responses and government outcomes.
Day 3 highlights and recordings – Featuring ‘Impact alchemy: turning data into decisions and decisions into outcomes’, a look at risk transfer and innovation, and the launch of the INDIGO.
Day 4 highlights and recordings – We looked at the SIB effect, accessibility and responsiveness of services for vulnerable groups, looked at how we can ‘price value’ and then we hosted the public discussion between Sir Paul Collier and Alnoor Ebrahim about reimagining social change in the post Covid-19 world.
Journal Special Issue – Social Outcomes Conference 2020 – Since 2016 the SOC has typically led to the publication of a journal special issues covering some of the topics discussed. If you want to get involved in the 2020 edition read this and contact us.
In addition, some of those who participated in the conference have shared their reflections on the themes that were discussed:
Opinion Reflecting on the Social Outcomes Conference 2020 In his blog, Nigel Ball reflects on some of the key themes that emerged from SOC20. Has the time come to experiment with relational contracting in social outcomes? How should the power imbalances of measurement and data be mitigated? And as the role of SIBs around the world diverges, is it time for a new language to tease apart different use-cases? GO Lab
Opinion The Covid-19 silver-lining – better relationships between charities and commissioners Naomi Hulston was one of our respondents to Professor David Van Slyke's Keynote address at SOC20, on relational contracting. In this blog, Naomi reflects on the improved relationship between public service commissioners and third sector providers in light of Covid-19, and considers how to sustain this emphasis on trust and relationships beyond the current crisis. Civil Society Media
Opinion The Middle Way: Managing rather than paying by results At SOC20, Joy MacKeith called for a move from Payment by Results to Management by Results. In this blog, Joy suggests that while a greater focus on outcomes is good, directly linking payment to outcomes can have unintended negative consequences. As a result, she appeals for a shift to MbR - an approach based on transparency, collaboration, and a learning culture rather than strict, payment-linked targets. LinkedIn
Research Performance management in social impact bonds: how an outcomes-based approach shapes hybrid partnerships In this paper, published in the International Journal of Public Sector Management, Research Fellow Ruth Dixon applies cultural theory to SIB partnerships. The paper finds that the stringent performance management regimes invoked by outcomes frameworks can bring the tensions between different stakeholder world-views into focus, leading some parties to conform to the outlooks of others. GO Lab
Opinion Outcomes-based procurement in local government – a chance to shine? Mark Saunders from Amey and Andreea Anastasiu, Policy Engagement Manager at the GO Lab, discuss the potential for outcomes-based approaches in 'place' contracts, following the Excellence in Place Leadership outcomes-based procurement session. Amey
Report Measuring the success of impact bonds - A new report by Brookings has just been published. The first policy brief looks at the size and scope of impact bonds. Brookings
Report Are impact bonds reaching the intended populations? The second brief in Measuring the success of impact bonds highlights the voice of service users, and examines the challenges that impact bonds can face in reaching those who need them most. Brookings
Report Are impact bonds delivering outcomes and paying out returns? The third brief in Measuring the success of impact bonds explores outcome achievement and investor returns. It finds that that in all but two of 50 completed impact bonds around the world, outcomes were achieved and investors were repaid, although an attribution problem remains. Brookings
Report Do impact bonds affect the ecosystem of social services delivery and financing? The fourth brief of the Measuring the success of impact bonds report examines how impact bonds affect the wider ecosystem of social service delivery and financing. It finds that IBs do seem to influence the wider systems in which they operate, by shifting mindsets and building stakeholder capacity. Brookings
Opinion Philanthropy’s role in the impact revolution In this interview, Sir Ronald Cohen argues that philanthropy should move from funding activities to funding outcomes, through instruments like SIBs. Pro Bono Australia
Report Innovation in the face of crisis This report shares insights from the innovative responses of a range of European cities to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local government responses have been based on principles of inclusiveness, collaboration and public participation, and the report highlights five key takeaways for cities in the months ahead. Centre for Public Impact
Opinion Here are the 7 skills you need to collaborate in government This blog highlights the skills needed to facilitate communication across organisational and sectoral boundaries, as well as some of the barriers to collaboration in government. Apolitical
Opinion How NGOs Can Work With Governments to Build Partnerships That Will Scale In this article, representatives from Integrate Health discuss their experience of scaling a health intervention through the public sector in Togo. They identify four key lessons for NGOs working with government: 1. Center the voice of government. 2. Implement within existing government delivery and data systems. 3. Build relationships with government partners at all levels. 4. Progressively transfer real ownership to government partners. SSRI