Outcomes for all

Social Outcomes Contracts (SOCs) are a form of public service commissioning where the Government commissions outcomes for a specified group of individuals, e.g. better employment for those facing mental health issues or young ex-offenders.

However, Government funding is only released if the successful outcomes are actually achieved. This is different to conventional approaches where the Government might pay for the tools to hopefully achieve a particular outcome, but for which there is no guarantee, e.g. paying for a number of support sessions to be delivered.

Local delivery organisations receive upfront money from socially-motivated investors to deliver the service, who are only repaid if agreed outcomes are actually achieved. Importantly the financial risk sits with the investors, rather than the Government. The investors receive a small return, but only if better outcomes and better value for money is achieved.

Central and local Government working in partnership with local organisations to deliver more services on an outcomes basis.

Revival of a central Government outcomes fund to transform the way public services address complex social needs.

UK Government continue to be a world-leader, championing and encouraging the growth of outcomes based commissioning worldwide.