Authors: James Mitchell and Ken Gibb, What Works Scotland

Date: 9 March 2015

What Works Scotland directors James Mitchell and Ken Gibb examine prevention and what stands in the way of making progress in a shift to prevention.

There is a consensus that the Christie Commission’s emphasis on shifting to prevention is right if outcomes are to be improved for people and communities and reduce future demands on public services. There is also a consensus that this is not happening at the pace desired. What stands in the way of progress? How can it be overcome?

The well-established public-policy framework of Ideas, Institutions, and Interests, is a useful way to frame this discussion. We need to think again about the set of rewards and incentives for pursuing prevention that are used to encourage public service workers, organisations and collaborations between agencies.

Read the post on the What Works Scotland blog