Feasibility of a PSP
Testing a new financial instrument (Public Social Partnership) that brings new investment to innovation in children’s services
About
Project lead: Michael Little, PhD
The Bethany Christian Trust is responsible for Safe Families for Children in Scotland (a package of practical support, friendship and brief respite provided by volunteers to families in need) and is seeking to establish a Public Social Partnership (PSP) to implement the programme with forward-looking local authorities across the country.
Under the PSP the delivery of the programme is funded by philanthropy for a fixed period, during which time the implementation and impact is measured independently. On proof of impact, the host authority pays for the on-going delivery of the programme for an agreed period.
Our role
The feasibility study will determine whether the right conditions exist in Scotland to establish a PSP for children on the cusp of entering care. Drawing on the experience of setting up a PSP for the same programme in England, it will determine whether there is capacity in Scotland to deliver SSFC and whether there is need for the programme.
It will examine the profile and flow of children entering the social care system to determine the volume of potential beneficiaries. The appetite of the philanthropic community in Scotland to invest in delivery and to fund the rigorous evaluation that determines the impact of the programme will also be assessed.