Voluntary and Statutory Sector Provision: What Role Does the Type of Provider Play in Improving Outcomes? Dr Michelle Butler, Dr Aisling McLaughlin, Dr David Hayes, Dr Andrew Percy 14 June 2018 Strengthening

Northern Ireland Desistance Reintegration Skills development Voluntary and community sector (VCS) involvement viewed as key to helping with: Desistance Reintegration Skills development Repairing harm Reducing stigma Minimising negative impact of imprisonment on families Some examples include:

Northern Ireland Working in partnership with the VCS is actively encouraged by the NI government, public bodies, prison service and other criminal justice institutions. ‘Cocktail’ of VCS funders. Diverse VCS catering to different groups in different areas. Primarily challenge practices by pushing for change on the inside, holding events to debate practice, research and providing staff training.

Northern Ireland Tendency to believe that VCS involvement is beneficial because: It can prompt better engagement from those who are hard to reach, disengaged or distrustful of services. Can provide greater flexibility in tailoring services to meet the specific needs of users. Engagement with services can be less stigmatising. It may be more cost effective and provide better value for money. It can contribute to the legitimation of statutory services. It may improve outcomes by promoting the adoption of policy and practice that better meets the needs of users.

Voluntary Versus Statutory Service Provision While some of the strengths of the VCS is its ability to engage people and its flexibility, no consistent differences in outcomes or experience of accessing services was found between different types of service providers. Instead, the culture and working practices of each individual service provider was more important in shaping outcomes than type of service provider.

Improving Outcomes Outcomes were improved by: Effective interagency collaboration Reviewing the commissioning process used Employing case coordinators when multiple different providers involved in providing services. (see Butler, Aisling, Hayes & Percy (2016) https://pure.qub.ac.uk/portal/files/148701378/Using_the_voluntary_sector_to_provide_services_to_children_and_families_with_complex_needs_Final_Report.pdf

Email: michelle.butler@qub.ac.uk Tel: 028 90973956