One Month In: Reflections of systems change from the inside–outsider

One month into this role, as Head of Collaboration Partnerships for South Yorkshire, I’ve been struck by the unique and privileged reality of working between two organisations that, on paper, may seem like opposites – one driven by mission, community and movement‑building; the other shaped by tough fiscal realities, statutory duties and politics. And yet, the more time I spend moving between them, the more I see what binds them together. 

Purpose. Passion for place. Belief in people and working with them to fulfill their potential. 

It’s everywhere. It’s the common thread running through every meeting, every conversation, every moment of honesty. There is so much momentum, so much skill, so much pride in South Yorkshire and an appetite to do things differently, and to do that together. Being welcomed further into that has been humbling.

The inside–outsider view

Learning two organisations at once is complex and stretching – like trying to read two maps while walking the same path (and not to mention the two laptops!). But it’s also a privilege. I get to sit in the gaps: gaps created by the system itself. These gaps stem from intense demand on the system and a proliferation of programmes that address immediate issues but obscure deeper socioeconomic challenges. Without the ability to view the system holistically, across education, healthcare, the voluntary sector, social care and more, these upstream problems remain unresolved.  

From this broader vantage point, I can help illuminate the common ground. I may not have the same ‘skin in the game’ as those who’ve been rooted in this work for years, but I’m anchored in the same commitment to impact and purpose. That gives me a unique role: not a river in between, but a current that helps bring our shared direction into focus. 

Making connections

In my first month, I’ve had the privilege of being in deep listening mode, meeting inspiring colleagues across the Mayoral Combined Authority and our local authorities, as well as visiting exceptional skills and work experience programmes – including the brilliant offer at Blend Kitchen within the Cambridge Street Collective. I’ve also connected with teams across government departments and learned about the impressive collaboration happening through the Community Mission Challenge led by the Cabinet Office and Sheffield Policy Campus. Every one of these encounters has included passionate, skilful, dedicated and inspiring colleagues and provided so many opportunities to align and strengthen our collective work. 

Alongside this, I’ve begun exploring the scale of opportunity in working with Fair Education Alliance members and colleagues to support more young people into education, employment and training – and to harness our collective focus toward prevention rather than reaction. 

What’s striking is the momentum already alive across South Yorkshire: partnerships with Save the Children, the region’s universities, the Children and Young People’s Alliance, child poverty coalitions, and a shared ambition to help young people across the region dream big and have the skills, confidence and support to bring those dreams into focus and shape the pathways to get there. The ingredients for real change are all here, and real progress is already happening.

Being truly youth focused... and heading upstream

The power of the message below continues to strike me in this work:

It is exactly this that our Collaboration Partnership will be doing, heading together upstream as a coalition, with young people and those around them, to try to make the changes that will lead to fewer young people ‘falling into the river’. 

Our next step is clear: to engage deeply with communities and young people themselves, to understand the challenges and opportunities from a strengths-based approach, and to co‑create the solutions that will shape positive impact for the future.

The month ahead

Going into the next month, I will be considering further: 

How can I use the power of being the inside-outsider to be the glue and connector, helping to draw out all the brilliant work happening in the region, unite us to a common purpose, and support new ways of thinking and working to drive systems change?  

How do we genuinely work with young people in their place, to stay curious and to be truly youth led in how we co-create impactful solutions and re-think our systems? 

We have a mammoth task ahead of us in creating the equality of opportunity and thriving communities that we all want to see, but the movement in South Yorkshire is real. The potential is huge. And the power of place, people, and purpose is stronger than any organisational boundary.  

Click here to find out more about the South Yorkshire Collaboration Partnership, or contact me for any more information at csinclair@faireducation.org.uk.