Purpose

he decision enables Doncaster to act on the findings of the 2025 community-focused peer review, which evidences that neighbourhoods, relationships and community capacity are the strongest levers for prevention, but that this capacity is currently “fragile and fragmented without further system action.” It aims to provide the missing system infrastructure to support neighbourhood-based prevention and asset-based commissioning. The investment enables Doncaster to demonstrate what neighbourhood-based prevention looks like in practice, including the real costs, savings and outcomes.

Decision

Fund C-Can £40,000 to provide missing system infrastructure and neighbourhood-based prevention and asset-based commissioning. £20,000 coming from Doncaster Public Health, £20,000 coming from RDash.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing / maintain current arrangements the peer review clearly identifies that current neighbourhood and VCFS capacity is undermined by “insecure funding, limited coordination, and weak infrastructure support.” Without intervention, prevention capacity would remain fragile, and opportunities to reduce escalation and demand on statutory services would be lost.
Deliver activity within existing service structures. The proposal evidence that traditional service-led commissioning frameworks. Embedding this work within existing structures would not create the enabling conditions, governance, or flexible investment mechanisms required for neighbourhood-centred prevention.
Delay investment until wider system reform is complete — Delaying action would stall the development of Centre for Citizen and Neighbourhoods (C-Can), capturing evidence, and commissioning reform. The proposal emphasises the need to “test and learn” now to inform future phases and avoid premature scaling.