Carter, EleanorRosenbach, FranziskaDomingos, FernandoLier, Felix-Anselm van2026-05-192025https://repositorio.insper.edu.br/handle/11224/8439Outcomes-based contracting (OBC) has been heralded as a mechanism for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of social programmes yet has persistently failed to deliver meaningful support for people experiencing social disadvantage. This mixed-method study evaluates the contractual shift of a British support service for adults with multiple, complex needs from bilateral fee-for-service arrangements to an outcome contract in the form of a ‘social impact bond’. Our findings add much-needed empirical evidence on the implications of OBC for personalization and co-production of public service delivery. In contrast to prior payment-by-results experiments we find evidence of enhanced person-centredness and asset-based practice.Digitalp. 1893 – 1911Inglêsoutcomes-based contractinggovernance modesstreet-level managementsocial impactbondpersonalizationjournal article10.1080/14719037.2024.2342398