Evaluation of the Flexible Funding Programme: final report

Main findings

Local authorities and stakeholders

Progress in the delivery of the Flexible Funding approach is most notable in the:

• improved knowledge and awareness of the aims, objectives and nature of delivery of the Children and Communities Grant (CCG) and the Housing Support Grant (HSG)
• increasing examples of, and discussion surrounding the opportunities for, joint working or engagement across grants
• the recommissioning and new service development being undertaken, despite contractual and financial barriers to some recommissioning
• benefits reported in supporting service users more quickly both in entry and in exit with a more joined-up service offer.

The strongest examples of progress are underpinned by a clear vision, detailed design and planning activities that establish a local delivery model centred on transformational leadership and accountability.

Welsh Government

• In Welsh Government there is a specific need to undertake further work to review, and where appropriate, to reset the strategic aim of Flexible Funding and articulate this to all local authorities.
• Welsh Government officials (including the Funding Alignment team) identify challenges with the coordination and communication of consistent messages regarding how each programme should operate within CCG and HSG.
• The HSG has made some particularly positive progress in the development of its guidance documentation co-produced with a range of external stakeholders.
• Those authorities who have made less/least progress would warrant being offered further support and insight from Welsh Government and other local authorities with more advanced delivery.

Recommendations

The key findings informed a number of recommendations for Welsh Government, local authorities and stakeholders. These can be found in the final evaluation report.