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Payment by Results

The Ten Commandments of Payment by Results

It’s getting increasingly difficult to have a productive debate about payment by results. For many people, PbR is merely shorthand for the privatisation or even a backdoor way of funneling public funds into multinational companies. For others, it is a potentially exciting approach to commissioning public services which can drive innovation and improved performance. But whether you love PbR or hate it, the main reason why it’s difficult to have a meaningful discussion is the lack of any evidence base. This post is my take on 10 critical success factors for PbR.

11th June 2013

Digital Engagement

How to promote your event with social media. Step 1: Announce

How to promote your event with social media. Step 1: Announce. First in a 3-part series on how to use social media to make your conference, seminar or fundraiser as successful as possible. Start by creating your hashtag…

7th June 2013

On Probation

Straw Man: The Ministry of Justice’s payment by results mechanism

The Ministry of Justice procurement team yesterday published its proposed payment mechanism for the new reducing reoffending contracts and invited feedback. There are three elements to the payment mechanism: Fee for service; Payment by results and Penalties for underperformance.

4th June 2013

On Probation

Who is going to lead the rehabilitation revolution?

I just got back from an interesting roundtable discussion on payment by results and re-offending convened by IPPR. I cam away with two main thoughts. Is there really no alternative to the MoJ’s cumbersome cohort approach to calculating PbR? And who is going to provide on the ground leadership for the rehabilitation revolution in a centrally commissioned model with a much reduced probation service?

3rd June 2013

Finally Friday

Send me directly to jail

Finally Friday is an occasional series of posts which look at the lighter side of life. In particular, I delight in rounding up examples of criminals whose own stupidity is the main reason they were brought to justice. There have been a couple of distinctive examples over the last month featuring drug dealers and reckless drivers who incriminated themselves in ways only available in the digital age.

31st May 2013

Payment by Results

Shock, Horror! Payment by results works

Payment by results has been getting a fairly consistent bad press recently with concerns about the funding mechanism’s use in the Work Programme, Drug Recovery pilots and worries about how it will work for the new reducing reoffending contracts.
So it was refreshing for me to see an example of a successful (albeit smallscale) example of PbR at last week’s No Offence (@NoOffenceCiC) conference. West Yorkshire succeeded in driving down their youth custody rate by a third through a PbR approach.

29th May 2013

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"Russell goes about his craft in a way that is both supportive, taking account of competing pressures on those he seeks to engage, and challenging through honest feedback and thought provoking conclusions."

"Russell has worked as a consultant for RAPt/Forward for over seven years on a wide range of projects. He has detailed knowledge of the world of drugs and crime and can be relied on to produce quick and accurate briefings which draw on the latest research as well as developments in the pipeline. We have used Russell to provide specialist input on a wide range of subjects and have always been pleased with the quality of his output.."

"Russell is a canny analyst of all things in criminal justice reform. His helpful takes on policy development and his good use of digital media makes him one of the most useful people to know in the sector. His clear-eyed scrutiny of payment by results and the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms is particularly impressive."

"Russell is incredibly knowledgeable and he is also an extremely good listener. His criminal justice experience means that as well as setting up an evaluation system for Fine Cell Work, he has helped to shepherd us through the planning needed for a big, new piece of work. All of our team have found him an absolute pleasure to work with."

“Russell Webster is a pleasure to work with. His wealth of experience and knowledge with an ability to write really accessible information for a range of audiences are a great combination. He has a deep understanding of a wide range of issues in criminal justice which he puts to use in a variety of ways. We find working with Russell very beneficial for our charity’s audiences’ needs”

"Russell's ability to get on with the job, appreciate how busy everyone is and produce an honest evaluation was really welcome and helpful. We wouldn't hesitate to ask him to undertake more work for us."

"I have commissioned Russell to carry a number of research and evaluation projects of our work with long term unemployed people, in particular substance mis-users. Russell has demonstrated an inate ability to connect with our service users, staff and partners to produce highly objective and thought provoking pieces of work. Russell is an expert in his field, a passionate champion of social justice and I have always welcomed his input as a critical friend of our charity"

"Russell Webster consistently provides up to date, accurate and often hidden information alongside useful, critical and sometimes very funny analysis. His website is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the ever changing context of justice policy and practice. Working with Russell is a pleasure and his contriubution to the sector is invaluable. His update is one of the few regular emails I look forward to."

"Russell knows his way around the criminal justice system as well as anyone. He combines practical knowledge with a sharp intellect. But what is equally impressive is that his compassion shines through his work. From the day we met, Russell's advice has been invaluable; without it we would not be able to support some of our most important clients. I would (and do) recommend him without qualification"

"If Russell covers something you know it's likely to be important, and have implications for policy and practice. His analysis of the crime and drug policy world always gets to the nub of the issues and provides a way of cutting through to the heart of what's important."

"The best source of information on Payment by Results is russellwebster.com"

"Russell is a mine of information, he's my go to for anything criminal justice related and I often refer people to him and his work, which is always accurate and accessible - no mean feat given the ever-changing landscape. Not only is Russell an expert in his field, he's an approachable and helpful person too; making him a pleasure to work alongside."

"Russell’s explanations and summaries are always helpful and often more helpful to me than the original report. He provides me the basis of the subject with up-to-date, accurate, evidence-based information and critical analysis but always with compassion and understanding. It is a rare combination in these times."

"No nonsense interpretation about PbR, huge respect for Russell’s unwavering determination to make a difference."

"Russell was the Evaluator on the project I led. I found him to be extremely useful as much more than someone 'marking my homework' which was the role I expected him to take. His experience helped guide me forward, avoid mistakes I might have made, and steady my nerves when I got rattled. An excellent person to have on the team"

"Russell worked with Sussex Police and Emerging Futures as an independent evaluator on a project aligned to the MOJ’s Female Offender Strategy from May 2018 to June 2019. Russell worked diligently with the team to collate data, feedback at all levels from commissioners, staff and Service Users building on case studies and contributing well to performance meetings. As a result, Russell provided an excellent final evaluation report."

“Russell Webster is always worth a read – the key issues objectively explained. In an area where everyone has an opinion, it’s good to know someone who also has facts.”

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