Richard Brunner and Nick Watson of What Works Scotland explore the concept of ‘capabilities’ as a framework for public service reform.
Blog: Beyond cynicism and complacency – Participatory budgeting in Scotland
Oliver Escobar outlines how, by February 2015, participatory budgeting is gaining momentum in Scotland and the cross-party support for its aims.
Blog: Why Can’t We Trust the Word ‘Welfare’ in Policy Making?
Dr Hayley Bennett reflects on the complex nature of the relationship between citizens and the welfare state, and how can we make policy reforms and changes to public services to support those in need if decisions and reforms are based on inconsistent use of terms and data?
Blog: Democratic Sector Day
Christian Storstein shares a blog post from the Democratic Sector Day, organised by Oliver Escobar and colleagues from What Works Scotland.
Blog: ‘What Works’ in Raising Educational Standards? Learning Lessons and Rising to the ‘Challenge’
Professor Chris Chapman reflects on lessons from London for the Scottish Attainment Challenge, a £100 million initiative designed to close the gap in attainment of children from more and less advantaged backgrounds.
Blog: The Economics of Prevention and Difficult Decisions for Community Planning Partnerships in Scotland
Claire Bynner, research associate at What Works Scotland, reflects on a seminar held by What Works Scotland on 25 March 2015 on the economics of prevention, specifically on community planning partnerships and health.
Blog: Looking back on Community Planning Partnerships – Policy reunion
Erica Wimbush shares a blog post from the policy reunion focused on the emergence and evolution of community planning partnerships (CPPs) organised and chaired by Professor Ken Gibb as part of the What Works Scotland initiative.
Blog: Scotland Welcomes Refugees – How do strangers become citizens?
Claire Bynner, What Works Scotland research associate, considers what increasing diversity means for local areas and what local government and community planning partnerships (CPPs) can do to support the settlement of new migrants.
Blog: Reforming services – the example of refugee support
Joe Brady from the Scottish Refugee Council explains an organisational change process that led to a sharper focus on assets. Here, he explains how service redesign was achieved.
Participatory budgeting in Scotland: an overview of strategic design choices and principles for effective delivery
This paper outlines participatory budgeting design choices and delivery principles. It reviews international research, evaluations, grey literature and commentary and draws upon learning and insights from a PB pilot in Govanhill, Glasgow. Summary This paper aims to support the strategic