Jane Holdsworth20 January 2011

• The terminology of outcomes and impact

• How to evidence outcomes and impact

• Methods for collecting evidence

• Sources of further support, advice and information

• Funders• Commissioning • Every Child Matters framework• Pioneers• Voluntary Sector led initiatives• The efficiency agenda• Organisational effectiveness

• 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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

• 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