1. A Focus on Outcomes and Impact
How can VCSE organisations be best prepared for the operation of an outcomes-focused Programme for Government?
Implementation of the draft PfG and its outcomes approach will have a significant impact on the funding relationship between the V&C sector and its public funders
New challenges and opportunities
potential threat of technocratic approach, confusing measurement with outcomes, leading to rigid performance accountability measures, targets
potential opportunities of a co-design approach facilitating shared understanding, leading to agreed outcomes, realistic indicators, measures and targets

2. Outcomes Observatory
Purpose: Review outcomes practice and Assess effects on funding relationships
Method: 26 Interviews - 15 Public sector and 11 V&C sector (Jan-Feb 2018)
Consultation seminar attendees (15 March 2018)
Findings: Wide variation in understanding and standards of practice - two key issues
Rush to measurement – while OBA has stressed the necessity of following the 7 steps – temptation or pressure to get to the score card
Focus on population indicators – due to lack of experience or clarity about their own outcomes people tend to look to and claim PfG population outcomes/indicators
Distinction between performance accountability and population contribution

3. Conclusions
Importance of preparing people and organisations to develop a culture for outcomes.
understand the purpose and role of outcomes in the context of their work;
how to co-design outcomes involving relevant stakeholders and;
generate useful evidence to measure performance and inform improvement.
Inspiring Impact - Impact Practice
understand outcomes from a holistic planning and design perspective
laying organisational foundations for a focus on impact
Resources - Code of Impact Practice and & Measuring Up! Self assessment tool.
If this support is not available, the risk is nothing will really change.

4. Determinants
Conditions that can help to make an Outcomes Based Approach work
How do you redesign the aeroplane while continuing to fly it?
Need for outcomes to be developed through partnership and co-design
Guidance and support to transform ways of thinking & working
Recognise the complexity of the issues to be addressed
Outcomes thinking is hard, takes time to learn and is easily subverted
We need to improve before we can prove

5. Complexity

6. The Difference You Make
Theory of change
Reasoning
What You Do
The Difference You Make
Inputs
Activities
Outputs
Performance Outcomes
Policy Impacts
PfG Pop’ Outcomes
Resources
Courses
Numbers
Accountability
Contribution
Monitoring
Evaluation
Effort
Effect
Enablers

7. Actions Performance Policy PfG Population
Example: Regional Support Funding Programme
What You Do
Difference You Make
Actions
Performance
Delivery Outcomes
Policy
Impacts
PfG Population
Outcomes #
Individual
Increased engagement with women
Enhanced capacity of women
Increased participation of women
There is improved capacity, and participation of women in community development
Outcome 5.
We are an innovative creative society where people can fulfil their potential
Indicator 28 Confidence
(Self-efficacy)
Organisational
Enhanced capacity of groups to support women in in disadvantaged and rural areas
Organisations, have access to the specialist support they require to function effectively and efficiently
Relationships
Enhanced collaboration between groups
Relations btw groups and decision makers
Better relationships between communities
Better collaboration and more effective partnerships, across the VCS and Government
Policy/Advocacy
Improved leadership and advocacy
Better evidence of issues
The VCS, making a valued and effective contribution to policy development across Government
Attribution
Contribution

8. Delivery outcomes Actions Indicators/measures
Indicators, measures for outcomes/actions
Delivery outcomes
Actions
Indicators/measures
Individual:
Increased engagement with women
Information, Advice
Enhanced capacity to engage in community development
Skills training
Support mentoring
Networking
Increased participation in community development
Groups:
Enhanced capacity of groups to support women
Engage groups
Relationships:
Enhanced collaboration between groups
Facilitation
Improved relations btw groups and decision makers
Better relationships between communities
Advocacy
Improved leadership to represent needs of women
Advocacy, Leadership
Better evidence of issues impacting on women
Research

9. Policy & Decision Makers
Support Organisation
Attribution
Contribution
Individuals
Groups
Relationships
Policy & Decision Makers
PfG Outcomes
Ripples of Influence