Jane Holdsworth
20 January 2011
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The terminology of outcomes and impact
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How to evidence outcomes and impact
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Methods for collecting evidence
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Sources of further support, advice and
information
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Funders
Commissioning
Every Child Matters framework
Pioneers
Voluntary Sector led initiatives
The efficiency agenda
Organisational effectiveness
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Ensures a focus on the needs of the client
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Highlights what works well and what can be
improved
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Useful tool for planning and resource allocation
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Motivating for staff and clients
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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.
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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
impact
outcomes
outputs
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What do your funders mean by impact?
What does your organisation want to
measure?
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What do you have the resources to measure?
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What impact do you want to have?
Be clear
about
your aims
Regularly analyse,
use and report on
information
Ensure your IT
systems can
manage the data
Identify relevant
outcomes and
indicators
Develop data
collection tools
and pilot
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
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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
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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