Local well-being assessment: applications for data science? www.cymru.gov.uk Local well-being assessment: applications for data science? Dr Jamie Smith Knowledge and Analytical Services Welsh Government

WFG: catalyst for a change in approach Historical area assessments : Heavy reliance on data, less qualitative insight Lack of clarity on how/when/why to engage citizens and service users in the analysis Largely descriptive use of evidence Variable quality of analysis – time pressure, capacity, skills Lack of connection between evidence and action Move to new model of assessment – opportunity to address these limitations Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth a Dadansoddi Knowledge and Analytical Services

Well-being assessment The new model of Assessment Shifting the emphasis to response analysis Needs assessment Situation Response Response Situation Well-being assessment Situation analysis – high level to identify priorities Response analysis – exploring how and why things work; how services contribute to well-being. Evaluative. Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth a Dadansoddi Knowledge and Analytical Services

The new model of Assessment Social, economic, cultural, environmental well-being Strengths-based approach Situation and Response – explaining as well as describing Mixed methods - stronger role for engagement and qualitative evidence Drive to be citizen-centred Designed to inform local well-being plans for PSBs – more explicit role for evidence in decision-making Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth a Dadansoddi Knowledge and Analytical Services

Some emerging research questions Do people mean what they say in relation to their well-being? Is what people regard as important reflected in the choices they make and their behaviours? (Or in other words…….is there an intention-behaviour gap in relation to subjective well-being?) Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth a Dadansoddi Knowledge and Analytical Services

Applications for data science? 1. The value of natural assets – does usage reflect people’s perceptions? 2. Sense of community, place and local identity – relationship to social cohesion 3. Quality of the built environment – does people’s behaviour reflect the importance they attach to this? 4. Trust in local institutions and ability to influence decision- making – direction of causality Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth a Dadansoddi Knowledge and Analytical Services