Episode 14 – Everything you wanted to know about outcomes and were afraid to ask!

In conversation with Dr Peter Doran, Dr Ailsa Cook of Outcomes Focus offers a unique insight into the merits and limitations of an outcomes-based approach to public sector delivery in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Dr Ailsa Cook of Outcomes Focus offers a unique insight into the merits and limitations of an outcomes-based approach to public sector delivery. In a wide-ranging discussion with Dr Peter Doran of the QUB School of Law, Ailsa shares her deep experience of outcomes work in a Scottish context and more recent research for Scotland's What Works Centre. Ailsa is a leader in the field of outcomes. Through her research and work with policy and practice, Ailsa has made a significant contribution to shifting the focus of public services in Scotland towards the outcomes that are important to citizens and communities. Dr Cook addresses a number of issues that will be of particular interest to public sector bodies in Northern Ireland and the community and voluntary sector who have been initiated into a particular form of outcomes-based methodology, Outcomes Based Accountability (OBA) following its adoption by The Executive Office for the 2016-21 Programme for Government. The OBA/RBA method is licensed and promoted on behalf of Mark Friedman by the United States-based company, Clear Impact. Ailsa Cook discusses: - The adoption of outcomes in the context of the 'Scottish Approach' to public sector reform; - How the Scottish approach to outcomes differs from that adopted in Northern Ireland; - Lessons from the Scottish experience; and - The shortcoming and pitfalls associated with outcomes-based approaches to public sector reform and delivery. For more information on outcomes, contact: Ailsa Cook, Outcome Focus  The Scotland What Works paper on outcomes in public sector reform http://whatworksscotland.ac.uk/publications/outcomes-based-approaches-in-public-service-reform/ Evidence to The Executive Office Committee on the 11th October 2016, the day before Dr Lowe’s evidence. The video of this meeting is available here - https://niassembly.tv/committee-executive-office-meeting-11-october-2016/https://niassembly.tv/committee-executive-office-meeting-11-october-2016/ Dr Lowe's evidence to The Committee is based here:  https://niassembly.tv/committee-executive-office-meeting-12-october-2016/ Dr Peter Doran's pure profile Towards a Wellbeing Framework