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Evidencing Outcomes and Impact

Evidencing Outcomes and Impact. Jane Holdsworth 20 January 2011. Workshop overview. The terminology of outcomes and impact How to evidence outcomes and impact Methods for collecting evidence Sources of further support, advice and information. Drivers of outcomes and impact approaches.

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Evidencing Outcomes and Impact

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  1. Evidencing Outcomes and Impact Jane Holdsworth 20 January 2011

  2. Workshop overview • The terminology of outcomes and impact • How to evidence outcomes and impact • Methods for collecting evidence • Sources of further support, advice and information

  3. Drivers of outcomes and impact approaches • Funders • Commissioning • Every Child Matters framework • Pioneers • Voluntary Sector led initiatives • The efficiency agenda • Organisational effectiveness

  4. The benefits of a focus on results • Ensures a focus on the needs of the client • Highlights what works well and what can be improved • Useful tool for planning and resource allocation • Motivating for staff and clients • Helps to demonstrate achievements to funders and commissioners

  5. Impact The change, effect or benefit that results from the services or activities on a wider society than its direct users. It is often long term, broad and sustainable and can include affecting policy decisions at government level.

  6. The nature of impact • Longer term than outcomes • Often goes beyond the original target group • May be the cumulative effect of a range of outcomes • Outcomes are the necessary precursors to impact • May not be relevant for some small organisations

  7. The impact chain

  8. Deciding whether to measure Impact • What do your funders mean by impact? • What does your organisation want to measure? • What do you have the resources to measure? • What impact do you want to have?

  9. Planning for outcomes/impact evaluation

  10. Data collection methods You will usually need to collect information at least twice to be able to compare results over time. There are a huge variety of data collection tools available but the main ways to collect outcome information are: • Self assessment by clients • Interviews • Observation • Record keeping

  11. The challenges! • Funders often find outcomes data is limited, incomplete or not convincing • Inappropriate outcomes can be set by funders • Collating and aggregating data can be difficult • Insufficient staff skills and resources • Lack of knowledge about appropriate IT tools

  12. Responding to the challenge • Be clear and realistic about what your organisation can measure • Plan and produce evaluation material which is credible • Work more collaboratively to share evaluation resources and good practice

  13. Sources of support, advice and information • Charities Evaluation Services www.ces-vol.org.uk • Evaluation Support Scotland www.evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk • Toynbee Hall’s Outcome measurement tools collection www.toynbeehall.org.uk • A guide to measuring children’s well being www.neweconomics.org • Measuring Impact toolkit Kent Children’s Fund www.kcfn.co.uk • The Evaluators Cookbook NECF • Bassac’s Community Impact Programme www.bassac.org.uk

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