GETTING STARTED IN SOCIAL IMPACT MEASUREMENT Nicky Stevenson

5 foundations Based on research we did with Middlesex and workshops delivered to over 300 people

Clarity of purpose Theory of change

Built in data collection What data you already collect Collecting systematically Qualitative and quantitative stories and memories as well as how many, how often etc Being systematic Having access to what you have found out

Real stakeholder involvement Hellps you understand the right questions to ask What changes for stakeholders – not what you think changes Ie sleeping better

Asking the right questions Evidence for how your theory of change is being achieved Need to ask the right questions in the right way to the right people Are you measuring process or are you measuring what changed As a result of x I now do y Coming to the day centre I have more friends Having a community garden means we attract more wild birds and animals

Knowing what you can and can’t tell from the evidence Can you prove cause and effect? Consider Attribution – who else contributed? Deadweight – what would have happened anyway? Displacement – has the problem moved elsewhere? Drop off – how long will the changes last? Knowing what you can and can’t tell from the evidence

What is the purpose of your organisation? What data do you already collect? Who else do you want to consult? What questions do you want to ask? What can you tell from your evidence? These are the questions you need to ask yourselves

What story do you want to tell investors? Is there a good narrative? What difference are you making and for whom? So what? What evidence have you got (words and numbers)?

Common misunderstandings This is social research There will always be subjective interpretations It is not hard empirical data A number of common misunderstandings about SIM Accountancy has been in existence for 200 years – SIM for about 10 – still developing but very new

Common misunderstandings Benefits of saving costs are the not the same as social benefits Valuing the benefits for one group as savings for another – e.g savings for the health service = benefits for the community

Common misunderstandings There is a difference between a one off interventions that create permanent change and ongoing needs Eg respite care compared with drug treatment Getting a job day centre for people with learning disability

Common misunderstandings We don’t measure social value We measure outcomes and then place a value on them – value is subjective People say ‘measuring social value’ Better to talk about measuring the outcomes and then placing a value on them Identify what the changes are – by talking to people and collecting information Measure the outcomes and collect empirical data Interpret and report the data using judgement Eg setting a financial proxy – assessing well being – setting in the context of other eg academic research Eg buying a house – not just the value of the bricks and mortar but all the other aspects that affect the value – being on a quiet road, near good schools, a low crime area

SIM is not about what you do – it’s about what changes as a result of what you do This is a picture of an activity that is part of an initiative to keep local shops going – helping local people to know how to cook and shop for ingredients

Key points Proportionality Transparency Integrity