NCB has extensive experience of partnership working across the sector: between charities; between charities and statutory agencies; and between statutory agencies.
What learning can we share to advise the coalition?
Firstly, get beneath the surface of your policies. On the surface, they differ; but explore the objectives behind each policy and you might find you are not so far apart. However, each side must be willing to drop some previous headline policies to find that common ground.
Secondly, avoid looking for "quick wins" and announcing new initiatives. Think about what you want to achieve in the medium term. The best programmes may take years to achieve impact. Take Sure Start - the evidence from the US that convinced Treasury officials to invest in early years work showed the impact only became evident seven years later - and real gains came 15 years after the intervention. Short-term policies might appear attractive, but if you are serious about changing society, you must raise your sights to a more distant horizon.
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