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About GO Lab

The basics

New to outcomes-based contracting? Here are some jargon-free introductions to the various types of approaches

Outcomes-based contracting

This guide offers an introduction to outcomes-based contracting, including its place among other methods of contracting out public services, the theoretical pros and cons, and the evidence to date.

New to impact bonds? This user-friendly guide will explore what impact bonds are, the evidence to date and how they work in practice in different countries around the world.

Relational contracting

This guide provides an introduction to relational contracting in the public sector, explaining what it is, the potential benefits and challenges, and how to adopt a relational approach.

This guide introduces outcomes funds. It aims to document and describe outcomes funds around the world and identify lessons for future fund design.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Knowledge bank

Explore our datasets, case studies and publications to learn more about the latest research on outcomes-based contracting

We are the International Network for Data on Impact and Government Outcomes (INDIGO). Here you can explore our datasets, read our latest news, join our events and find out more about data sharing in the field of social outcomes.

A collection of in-depth case studies of impact bonds around the world

Publications library

View the latest reports, evaluations and more on outcomes-based contracting

A glossary of key terms and working definitions around impact bonds and outcomes-based contracting

Toolkit

Interested in designing and managing outcomes-based projects? We have prepared some tools and guidance to help

Impact bond lifecycle

Developed in consultation with a wide range of practitioners to support projects being established under the UK Government’s Life Chances Fund.

Technical guidance

We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.

OBF and ECCE Resource Hub

A curated collection of practical tools, guidance, and evidence for designing, implementing, and evaluating outcomes-based financing in early childhood care and education

GO Lab-CIPFA Value for Money (VfM) Toolkit

We've partnered with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy(CIPFA) to develop a toolkit for public managers planning to assess VfM of outcomes-based contracting programmes, or any public programme with an outcome-focus.

Impact Wayfinder [Prototype]

Are you thinking of running an impact evaluation for your project? Check out our new Impact Wayfinder! We'll help you find the right evaluation for you according to the focus of your organisation and the scale of your project.

Mission-led Growth Dashboard

This innovative dashboard benchmarks performance data for each council in England with its Nearest Neighbour, the median of all local authorities in England and the average of the selected authority’s ten Nearest Neighbours.

Formal-relational contracting playbook

Helping commissioners and providers to take a formal-relational approach to delivering complex public services.

Community

Connect with others through our global directory, read the latest blogs, join our events and more.

Oxford Government Outcomes Blog

Read the latest opinion and insights from the GO Lab network

Find out the latest news from the GO Lab and across the sector

Join our events, from webinars, regional events to international conferences

Peer Learning Groups

At the GO Lab, we host a selection of peer learning groups that aim to support learning and knowledge on outcome-based approaches. Read more on our different groups and upcoming sessions here.

Advice sessions

Book an advice session with the GO Lab to get one on one support from experts

Home Knowledge bank Resource library

Resource library

Want to keep up-to-date on the latest news and events in the field?

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378 results

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Reset

Evaluation Report | 1 May 2020

Silver Chain: Evaluation of the Silver Chain Community Palliative Care Service Western Sydney – Social Impact Investment

This report is the first evaluation of the Community Palliative Care Service developed in partnership with Silver Chain Group, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), NSW Health (Ministry of Health), and the NSW Office of Social Impact Investment.

Organisation: Paxon Group

Evaluation Report | 7 Apr 2020

In depth review - 'Be the change' Social Impact Bond

Evaluation Report | 1 Apr 2020

Evaluation of the Resilient Families Service - Final Report (April 2020)

This is the final evaluation of the Resilient Families Service

Organisation: ARTD Consultants

Resource | 12 Feb 2020

Evaluation of the Life Chances Fund Interim report

ICF were commissioned in July 2017 by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to undertake an independent programme-level evaluation of the Life Chances Fund (LCF).

Organisation: ICF Consulting

Want to know more about the state of play of impact bonds? Explore our global interactive map to find out data on impact bonds in their various stages of development and policy areas.

Discover our dataset on impact bonds around the world

Explore

Evaluation Report | 1 Feb 2020

Individual Placement Support: A Social Impact Bond Model

Organisation: The Behavioural Insights Team

Practical guide | 15 Nov 2019

Procurement to Partnership: Step Two in “the Art of the Possible”

Research paper | 2 Nov 2019

Paying for Education Outcomes at Scale in India

Organisation: Brookings Institution

Report | 1 Nov 2019

The Portuguese Social Innovation Initiative: The Social Impacts Bonds Programme Using ESF to finance Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship

New to outcomes-based contracting and social impact bonds? Discover the basics about these innovative approaches to the provision of public services.

Back to basics

Read More

Resource | 4 Jul 2019

Evaluation strategy for the Life Chances Fund

The Life Chances Fund (LCF) was launched as an £80 million fund by the UK Government to help people in society who face significant barriers to leading happy and productive lives. Read Government Outcomes Lab's evaluation strategy for LCF.

Evaluation Report | 28 Jun 2019

Independent Evaluation of the UK Department for International Development’s DIBs Pilot Programme – Full Report

Organisation: Ecorys

Evaluation Report | 28 Jun 2019

Independent Evaluation of the UK Department for International Development’s DIBs Pilot Programme – Summary Report

Organisation: Ecorys

Resource | 28 Jun 2019

Village Enterprise Development Impact Bond Case Study Report

Organisation: Ecorys

We publish articles on a range of topics related to improving social outcomes. Give them a read and if you'd like to write about something relevant to our work, get in touch!

Read our Oxford Government Outcomes Blog

Read more

Evaluation Report | 28 Jun 2019

Independent Evaluation of the UK Department for International Development’s DIBs Pilot Programme – Full Report

Organisation: Ecorys

Resource | 5 Jun 2019

In depth review: Mental Health and Employment Partnerships

Resource | 1 Jun 2019

Directory of Social Impact Bond (SIB) Technical Support Providers

Report | 1 May 2019

From visions of promise to signs of struggle: social impact bonds in Canada, the US, and UK

We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.

Technical guidance

Read more

Report | 1 May 2019

Pay for Success: The First 25

Organisation: Nonprofit Finance Fund

Report | 1 May 2019

Commissioning Better Outcomes - Awards from July 2013 to May 2019

Policy paper | 26 Apr 2019

Development Impact Bonds: Targeting Health Outcomes

Evaluation Report | 24 Apr 2019

Evaluation of the Fair Chance Fund - Final report

Organisation: ICF Consulting

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