This paper explores how to rethink the processes involved in creating new policies and public services, to take a more innovative and creative approach.

Key findings:

• Effective policy-making comes from understanding what outcomes matter from an individual perspective, rather than on the basis of what the system provides. 
• We need policies and practices that draw more effectively on the resources that exist within communities. That means creating new means of collaboration between the state, citizens, private businesses, social enterprises and civil society organisations.
• However, this concept of ‘co-production’ – working with citizens to design and deliver public services – can be very difficult for public organisations to embrace, as it goes against traditional ways of working.

To respond effectively to today’s financial and social challenges, we need to rethink the way new policies and public services are created. A big part of this involves focusing more on creating valuable outcomes for citizens rather than on targets and figures, and prioritising the outcomes that matter most to people’s daily lives. 

But innovation means bringing a different way of exploring and planning into policymaking, which creates tensions with the status quo.

This paper aims to spark discussion between policymakers, researchers and practitioners around the challenges involved in creating more effective policy. We present ideas on how a more creative approach could be taken, to develop policies and services that achieve better outcomes and cost less.

Authors

Jesper Christiansen and Laura Bunt