Abstract
This article describes an evaluation of co-producing parenting support services in a rural municipality in Sweden. The evaluation looked at the implementation process of a series of positive activities for children and their parents, data from the participating parents and the economy of the project. Methods included interviews, questionnaires, observations and a review of protocols, e-mails, and web pages. Both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods were used. We identified two essential components for successful co-production: 1) The balance between the two actors (public and voluntary sector) in terms of interests, commitment and experienced positive impacts and 2) That both actors remain within their core competencies. Parents were satisfied with the number and quality of the activities and reported improvement in their relationship with their child. Costs for the six sessions provided during the project were 1897 SEK/participant for the orienteering club and 2635 SEK/participant for the riding club.
Highlights
The Swedish public sector has changed radically during the last few decades
The aim of our study is to identify and analyse the circumstances under which successful co-production of parenting support services may occur, to describe the possible benefits of the activities co-produced for its users, and to calculate the exact costs of this co-production based on the different activities
The aim of our study is to identify and analyse the circumstances under which successful co-production of parenting support services may occur, to describe the possible benefits of the co-produced activities for service users, and to calculate the exact costs of this co-production based on the different activities
Summary
To many other (Western) countries, a wave of global transition and neoliberalism in the economy has swept over the country This so-called New Public Management (NPM) aims towards reducing public sector expenses, privatising or outsourcing public sector responsibilities and accepting market rules (Sundin and Rapp 2006). In addition to affecting freedom of choice, the fundamental aim of this reform is to provide more control for those who demand the services, as well as a more effective and decentralised way of utilising public resources (Montin 2002). Two models in this new governing method are the “Clientperformer” and “Co-production” models
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