The ways in which public services are designed, regulated and financed has been the focus of academic attention for decades (Castles et al., 2010; Ferrera, 2010; Pierson, 2006). The emergence of more pluralist models of governance and provision of welfare services, often based on public–private networks, where citizens and Third Sector organisations play a role as ‘co-producers’ of public services (Pestoff, 2012) inevitably involve a rebalancing of responsibilities and power dynamics between the state, Third Sector and communities (Alcock, 2012).
These responsibilities raise questions around financing public services design and delivery, which ultimately lead to reflections as to the validity of some social finance models. The Social Bridging Finance (SBF) model aims to enhance the sustainability of public services, particularly those of a preventative nature.
It involves a change in the mechanism of designing and commissioning public services. Third sector providers are involved in a pilot phase of designing and delivering new public services. This phase is funded by an external funder.
If the services reach the success criteria identified at the beginning, the public sector is legally bound to sustain the mainstreaming of the service. This model has been piloted in three demonstration projects in Scotland (East Renfrewshire Family Wellbeing Service; Pause in Dundee; and Place2Talk Carrick, South Ayrshire).
The SBF model shares some similarities with Social Impact Bonds, as for example the involvement of commissioners (normally central or local government bodies), service providers (who will deliver the services commissioned) and external investors (who cover the upfront costs of service provision); the focus on outcomes and the role of an external evaluator.
However, the emphasis here is on the building evidence that supports the mainstreaming of a newly designed service, offering therefore reflections as to the challenges and strengths of an alternative social finance model for public services. Drawing from the data emerging from the SBF evaluation, this paper seeks to understand the strength and challenges of implementing the SBF model, whether it achieves the intended outcomes, and, if so, what elements of the model enable these to happen.
Dr. Micaela Mazzei is a Reader at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University. She holds a PhD in human geography from Durham University and an MA (Econ) in Applied Social Research from the University of Manchester.
Dr Mazzei leads the MSc Social Innovation and Social Innovation with Professional Practice programmes at GCU and she is currently the RSA (Regional Studies Association) Scotland Section Chair, member of the Editorial Board member of VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations and visiting Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg.
Micaela’s interest in social innovation and social economy is threefold: understanding the contextual determinants of the social economy, social enterprise development and performance; understanding the dynamics of local (and regional) economies – through the lens of a diverse economy approach; and the involvement of voluntary and community organisations in delivery of public services.
Among her expertise, she is currently leading on exploratory research on the development and implementation of Community Wealth Building in Scotland (RSE funded). She was the principal researcher for the national team of the EFESEIIS (Enabling the Flourishing and Evolution of Social Entrepreneurship for Innovation and Inclusive Societies) project (EU FP7). She was work package coordinator for the Common Good First project (Erasmus Plus) to support and grow the emerging South African social innovation sector, capturing and showcasing social impact projects in South Africa. She also led the assessment of the progress to-date of the Strategic Public Social Partnership model in Scotland (Scottish Government funded) and the consultation with key stakeholders on social enterprise business support awareness and perceptions (Scottish Enterprise/Social Value Lab).
Dr. Micaela Mazzei was also a supervisor/advisor on the research teams of the Common Health Project (MRC/ESRC funded) on the role of social enterprise as a public health initiative. She has extensively researched issues of social economies and of social exclusion in northern English city regions (Greater Manchester and Tyne and Wear) both as an academic and a consultant for a think-tank in Manchester (Centre for Local Economic Strategies).
Dr Mazzei has also extensive experience of evaluating place-based regeneration programmes, as well as contributing to the revision of Indices of Multiple Deprivation (Wales) while working at the Centre for Urban Policy Studies, University of Manchester.
This seminar will be held in English.
Major information: Andi Duqi (andi.duqi@unibo.it).