Founded in 2007, they have helped pioneer a series of programmes to improve outcomes for individuals with complex needs.

Their innovations include the Social Impact Bonds (SIB) model which has mobilised more than £500 million globally in areas such as offender rehabilitation, children and family, homelessness and housing, young people at risk of becoming NEET, mental health and employment, loneliness and social isolation, and domestic violence.

[2][3] Social Finance's initial team supported the work of the Commission on Unclaimed Assets, which recommended the establishment of a Social Investment Bank in March 2007 and in turn developed the blueprint for what is now named Big Society Capital.

Funding from investors outside government was initially used to pay for the services, which were delivered by Third Sector providers with a proven track record of working with offenders.

In August 2014, the first set of results were released, showing that the Social Impact Bond reduced reoffending by 8.4 per cent.