The Social Investment Agency (SIA) was established on 1 July 2024 as a central agency to lead, develop and demonstrate a social investment approach in action.
We report to the Minister of Social Investment, who leads the social investment work programme along with a group of Social Investment Ministers. The Minister for Social Investment also receives independent advice from the Social Investment Board - a ministerial advisory group established in late 2024.
SIA is leading change across the public sector to improve how it works with and invests in the social sector.
SIA has the following functions:
- Advise Ministers on investments to be delivered through the new commissioning function, using a rolling programme of reviews and expressions of interest from non-government and community organisations to identify funding and current contracts that could be transferred to the Social Investment Fund.
- Provide system leadership and oversight of social investment commissioning, and coordinate advice to Social Investment Ministers on commissioning and other related matters.
- Oversee standards for social investment practice through monitoring and evaluating the performance of social sector investment.
We're changing the way government works, so that:
- Resources are directed where they can have most impact
- Investments focus on outcomes for people rather than outputs
- Communities have the ability to commission services that meet local needs
- Providers have the stability and flexibility to determine the best approach
- Services prioritise early intervention, prevention and innovation
- People get tailored services and support in a way that works for them, from providers they trust.