Are some boundaries easier to bridge?

Abstract

The impetus to work across boundaries is a longstanding theme in British public policy. Critical commentary has emerged from different perspectives, but has not provided empirically based analysis of joint working across different sectors and spheres of practice. In this article we present findings from an evaluation of joint working in the Supporting People Health Pilots. These raise questions about why some agencies – primarily in the voluntary sector – appeared to be more effective than others at working across boundaries. These questions and the broader implications of the findings for the voluntary sector are analysed.