LOCUS explores young people’s interactions with cultural spaces through the lens of social media consumption. This project investigates to what extent young people’s social media consumption transforms cultural spaces to “performative spaces” and how young people’s engagement with such spaces enacts their digital identities.

Publication aims to raise awareness about the platform-based gig economy

EESC: Co-creation of services of general interest as a contribution to a more participative democracy in the EU.

PERU’s Professor Ashwin Kumar has been cited by The Guardian regarding the distributional effect of the government’s recent ‘fiscal event’

We have been working with TASO to develop guidance on evaluation with small cohorts and it is now available on their website. TASO’s focus is widening participation and improving student outcomes in higher education but the guidance can be applied to many areas of social policy evaluation.

Using data from the Social Finance UK Database and focusing on SIBs in the US and UK, Olson et al. evaluate whether the SIB approach aligns with the theoretical predictions of social innovation.

In this new book, Chris O’Leary looks afresh at the reasons for prosocial work choices in the first substantive critique of Public Service Motivation (PSM).

Chris O’Leary looks afresh at the reasons for prosocial work choices in the first substantive critique of Public Service Motivation (PSM).

The authors report and analyse innovative co-creative initiatives involving marginalized and stigmatized groups (prisoners, urban racialized minorities, rural poor populations including Roma).

This book review by Sue Baines provides an insight into the value that Oosterlynck, Novy and Kazepov's book brings to the field of social innovation.

This paper makes a novel contribution by turning an ‘asset’ lens onto social and technical innovation in the context of the small-scale generation of renewable energy.

As part of a large pan-European project on co-creating public services we supported the design of a programme in England that attempted to operationalise research on desistance, through a model of co-created, strengths-based working. We then evaluated its implementation and impact.

Venue: On-line
26th of November, 09.00 to 10.30 GMT

Cultural biases and information for co-production

Venue: On-line
8th of November, 17.30 - 19.00 GMT

Skill Mill is a social enterprise highly regarded for innovative approaches to addressing youth crime while bringing social and environmental benefits to communities.

This paper draws together key findings from CoSIE with a particular focus on what these imply for new policy and practice in public services in the form of a discussion paper aimed at European, national and regional policy-makers.

PERU has been commissioned by Bridges Outcomes Partnerships to evaluation two social-outcomes contracts that are tackling homelessness using strengths-based and co-created ways of working with people.

Using a deck of virtual cards to think about the future of work

To achieve their potential SIBs must be re-configured to become a catalyst for innovation, driving public sector reform and addressing new social and economic needs in the post-Covid world.

A blog for the H2020 project CoSIE, reflecting on ways to navigate tensions between differing views on good information and reliable evidence.

Emerging debates and questions around cycling

In partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Barrow Cadbury Trust, PERU researchers are undertaking a qualitative study on the views and experiences of participants in the Chance to Change pilots.

New book asks 'what is good cycling?'

How Social Impact Bonds can facilitate a move to strengths-based service delivery and help drive innovation in public service delivery

Publication Date: Monday 02 November 2020

Emerging lessons and new questions from CoSIE

Venue: On-line
Wed 7 October 2020

Kim Heyes, ManMet colleagues and Youth Mental Health Matters recently conducted some consultation groups with young people, professionals, and parents about what they think mental health services should look like for young people.

Professor Gary Painter, Director at the Sol Price Center for Social Innovation at the University of Southern California, and a Visiting Professor at PERU, presented new findings from collaborative research with staff at PERU on Social Impact Bonds at Oxford University.

This edited collection brings regional and local realities to the forefront of social investment debates by showcasing successes, challenges and setbacks of Social Investment policies and services from ten European countries.

This chapter argues that local authorities can and should use their purchasing power strategically to address the social determinants of health that affect their local area.

This research aims to study the platform-based gig economy and its reconfiguration of urban spaces by investigating the management, solidarity and resistance of cycle couriers in three European cities: Manchester, Lyon (France) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania).

Blog post 'Doing Co-creation – a Challenge of Social Investment'

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University
Tue 10 March 2020

Governments in some of the world’s richest nations appear to be caught in a double challenge of declining social budgets even as social needs are increasing.

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University
Tue 11 February 2020

This report explores the concept of innovation and its application to the delivery of probation services.

An evaluation of Macmillan Cancer Support’s Money and Work prototype, which was being implemented in Nottinghamshire between April 2019 and April 2020.

PERU's Chris Fox and Ashwin Kumar too part in the General Assembly of the UN affiliated European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research.

PERU's Chris Fox and Ashwin Kumar too part in the General Assembly of the UN affiliated European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research.

PERU's Chris Fox was at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles last week for the launch of our partnership with the Price Center for Social Innovation.

PERU's Chris Fox was at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles last week for the launch of our partnership with the Price Center for Social Innovation.

PERU's Chris Fox was at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles last week for the launch of our partnership with the Price Center for Social Innovation.

Procurement and commissioning in the non-profit sector

PERU worked with a consortium of 24 partners across Europe on Co-creation of Service Innovations in Europe (CoSIE) from 2017 to 2021. Co-ordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences, the consortium comprised universities, companies, public agencies and civil society organizations.

Venue: University of Southern California
Tue 1 October 2019

A Handbook to Connect Research with Policy Making

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University
Mon 9 September 2019

In an article in The Conversation PERU's Chris O'Leary argues that reforms to the way local authorities are funded are probably the most radical – and least discussed – changes made by the coalition and conservative governments since 2010.

Chris Fox delivered a presentation to HM Inspectorate of Probation's Summer School for its Assistant Inspectors.

Ashwin Kumar chaired the panel discussion at the launch on 22 July of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.

On 24 July, Ashwin Kumar will speak at a Fabian Society event on the future of work for low-paid workers

Ashwin Kumar spoke at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership event on Women and the Future of Work. 

Drawing together ideas about co-creation, social innovation, social investment and individual and collective values that underpin the CoSIE project.

We are pleased to announce a new international partnership on social impact investing between Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Southern California.

The Policy Evaluation and Research Unit have been appointed to Panel of Evaluators for the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care.

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University
Wed 8 May 2019

Venue: LT1 Geoffrey Manton, Manchester Metropolitan University
Mon 25 March 2019

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. The turn towards a Social Investment approach to welfare implies deploying resources to enhance human capital and mobilise the productive potential of citizens, starting in early childhood.

PERU are evaluating the Cornwall Frequent Attenders Social Impact Bond being delivered by With You (formally Addaction).

Professor Sue Baines will deliver her inaugural lecture ('Reinventing the past – investing in the future') on Monday 25th March at 6pm.

We review the state of evaluation within outcome-based commissioning in the United Kingdom.

Ashwin Kumar, currently Chief Economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), is joining Manchester Met in May 2019 as its new Professor of Social Policy.

In 2017, TLAP published a report Gathering the Evidence: Making Personal Budgets Work for All, setting out a direction for improving understanding on the impact of personalisation.

A look at how social impact bonds differ between projects and geographies, and how those differences impact practical implementation.

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University
Wed 9 January 2019

The most recent edition of the Bedrosian Center podcast features a recently published book on Payment by Results and Social Impact Bonds

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University
Tue 6 November 2018

There is a lack of empirical research around sub‐national Social Investment programs, and a lack of connectivity with social innovation.

Complex commissioning for complex needs using partnerships, individuals assets and lived experience to build fulfilling lives.

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University
Thu 13 September 2018

In a new article in Inside Housing PERU's Dr. Chris O'Leary explains that the rough sleeping population is not homogenous, nor is it static.

PERU's Chris Fox has become the National Liaison Official for the European Centre for Social Welfare and Policy Research.

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University
Tue 12 June 2018

Dr Jessica Hind-Ozan and Kim Heyes are currently in Tanzania to facilitate the coming together of a consortium of academics and policy makers.

To mark the launch of their book on Payment by Results and Social Impact Bonds: Outcome-based Payment Systems in the UK and US the authors are taking part in a number of events and seminars in the UK and Europe.

New Book Documents What We Know About Innovative Financing Models

The Family SKILLS programme for reception year students from families in which English is an additional language

Young carers are young people who take on significant caring responsibilities for family members, normally parents or siblings.

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University
Tue 21 November 2017

In an article in the The Conversation Kevin Albertson looks at reactions to globalisation and argues that while nationalism is often the response to globalisation, localism would be far better for us all.

The European Cohort Development Project (ECDP) is a Design Study which will create the specification and business case for a European Research Infrastructure that will provide, over the next 25 years, comparative longitudinal survey data on child and young adult well-being.

Today some of the PERU team are in Brussels leading the closing conference for the InnOSI project. A short video describing the project and its main aims is available to watch.

Venue: Louvain (Brussels)
Fri 13 October 2017

PERU will be working with a consortium of 24 partners across Europe on a three-year innovation project Co-creation of Service Innovations in Europe (CoSIE).

Chris Fox presented a paper based on a structured review of emprical evaluations of 32 Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) and 35 Payment by Results (PbR) programmes implemented in the UK since 2010 at a conference on Progressing the debate on Social Impact Bonds:

PERU's Chris Fox will speak at a  panel event organised by Reform and Metropolis at the Conservative Party conference on the theme ‘Delivering public services that citizens deserve: the role of innovation’

Free event

The post holder will be based in the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) and will work full time on research and evaluation projects that cover criminal justice and wider social policy including welfare, education and housing.

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University
Tue 11 July 2017

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University
Thu 22 June 2017 — Fri 23 June 2017

We have a small number of free places to attend our seminar on public service reform on the afternoon of 22nd June and the morning of the 23rd June 2017. The seminar examines two aspects of public service reform: first, innovative approaches to financing and resourcing public services; and secondly, the concept of personalisation and its role in public service reform. The seminar includes speakers from the UK and Europe.

For more details about the seminar and a link to register for a free place click here.

In this report, published by the Intergenerational Foundation, Kevin argues that the benefits of a young person getting a higher education qualification in England accrue in the ratio 58% to the nation and 42% to the graduate.

The trouble with the troubled families programme

What works when sample sizes are small? Understanding policy-makers’ evaluation needs in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors

A funded PhD scholarship is now available to evaluate co-production and the Manchester Homelessness Charter.

PERU's Gavin Bailey will be speaking in Warsaw on 23rd September, as part of the ESPAnet-Poland conference on social investment and development.

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University | Thu 19 May 2016

New members have recently joined the PERU team to support the broadening portfolio of work.

Chris will present a framing paper on the potential for Pay for Success (Payment by Results) to effect large scale social change at the University of Southern California's conference on 'Activating Markets for Social Change'.

PhD Scholarship Competition 2016

A new partnership will lead the way in offender learning, skills and employability.

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University | Wed 4 November 2015

Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University | Thu 24 September 2015

Professor Chris Fox's Seminar 'The next five years of criminal justice for England and Wales' at the Academy for Justice Commissioning.

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University. Location: Geoffrey Manton Building, Rosamund Street West, Manchester M15 6LL. | Mon 20 July 2015

Today the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit embarks on a major research and innovation project looking at how innovative social investment policies can strengthen communities in Europe.

PERU is leading a large pan-European research project on Social Investment policies funded by the European Commission.

PERU were commissioned by Rochdale Connections Trust to evaluate their Domestic Abuse Freedom Programme.

Venue: Webinar. Location: Manchester Metropolitan University | Mon 27 April 2015

Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University Business School | Tue 21 April 2015

Venue: Webinar. Location Manchester Metropolitan University | Mon 30 March 2015
Contact: Chris Fox Email: c.fox@mmu.ac.uk

The UK government has called for a rehabilitation revolution in England and Wales and put its faith in market testing.

Venue: Manchester Evening Seminar | Thu 5 February 2015

This report, produced in a collaboration between the CIPD and John Lewis Partnership, aims to uncover the experiences of employees on the lowest rates of pay and understand the contributing factors for an individual becoming ‘stuck’ on low pay.

This paper explores the implications for public policy from the new Office of National Statistics (ONS) data source on wealth distribution in Britain, and what we know about future trends in savings, longevity, property prices and inheritance.

Social innovation discourses see in social challenges opportunities to make societies more sustainable and cohesive through inclusive practices, coproduction and pro-active grassroots initiatives.

Thinking outside the cell.

Chris Fox has edited the Spring Bulletin of the Academy of Justice Commissioning

Purpose – This paper seeks to report on a project to estimate the costs and benefits of implementing an Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR) in Stockport.

Reviewing the available literature on Justice Reinvestment, interviewing key figures in the Justice Reinvestment movement in the US and looking at projects in the UK that have implemented elements of Justice Reinvestment.

Trafford Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) are piloting personalised budgets for young people with substance misuse issues. A small, randomised control trial (RCT) has been established to evaluate the impact of the pilot.

Salford Drug Action Team wanted to review aspects of its Hidden Harm strategy and to review a service that it had commissioned to work directly with the children of misusing parents.

Gaining a greater understanding of the costs and benefits of engaging volunteers from under-represented groups in the work of voluntary sector organisations through a survey and face-to-face interviews.

PERU, commissioned by Nacro, undertook a process, impact and economic evaluation of the Preston Peer Court pilot.