Using technology to effectively reach young people Dominic Waghorn, Digital Interactive Services Director Applying Social Return on Investment to askTheSite Sarah McCoy, Research Manager

YouthNet’s objectives: Understand more about using SROI technique; the challenges and opportunities Explore the effectiveness of the askTheSite service Investigate how results can help attract further funding Develop toolkit that can be used on other areas of our work

Inputs: Costs associated with askTheSite: Overall cost of service This includes: -YouthNet staff time -Funding askTheSite partners -Overheads (e.g. rent/office costs) -Volunteers (training & working hours) £221, for six months

Outputs from askTheSite: We can gather outputs over specific time period:

Monetarising outcomes: Online Resources askTheSite reporting tool

Identifying outcomes: Quantitative and qualitative research Analysis of question bank OutcomeExample of information which may lead to outcome Reduced likelihood of teenage pregnancySignposting to local GPs or Family Planning Clinics supplying the contraceptive pill Increased self esteemReassurance and empathy Prevention of homelessnessInformation about tenancy rights Prevention of STI contractionSignposting to local GUM clinic Better exam resultsRevision techniques Improved financial circumstancesExplanation of financial terms Reduced likelihood of mental health problems due to stress Stress management skills

Example case studies: General topicCase studyCosts to societyBenefits to society Sexual healthPregnancy – Abortion - Cost of abortion- Saved cost of ante-natal medical care - Saved cost of post-natal medical care - Saved pregnancy and childcare benefits Mental healthSelf harm - Cost of GP visit - Cost of medication and counselling - Saved cost to the NHS of treating self-harm injuries RelationshipsFamily problems - Cost of call to Youth2Youth or other similar helpline - Saved cost of rent - Saved cost of treating mental health problems - Saved income support benefits Drugs and alcohol Health implications: Alcohol - Cost of visit to the doctor -Saved cost of alcohol rehabilitation - Saved costs of treating major health problems that may have developed Benefits – Costs = NET benefits to society

Sexual health case study: David has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) David asks a question on askTheSite about his STI and receives a personal answer This information directs David to a GUM clinic where he gets the treatment he needs The cost to society for David to visit a GUM clinic to get treatment is £ The total cost to society is £ Sexual health case study:

David has an STI but does not ‘askTheSite’ or access the information and treatment Assumption that David passes his STI on to three people Cost treating the three people that David infects is £1, (3 x £438.24) The net benefit to society is the difference between cost of treatment these three people and the cost of treating David NET benefit to society = £ (i.e. £1, £438.24) \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Sexual health case study:

Monetarised case studies: Case studyNET benefit to society Sexual health£3, Mental health£4, Money£21, Relationships£8, Housing£3, Drugs and Alcohol£1, General health£ Legal and rights£10,258.82

Putting it all together:

Total savings per question:

SROI evaluation: Value Number of (within remit) questions answered between 1 st July and 31 st December ,870 Proportion of questions leading to positive outcome for young person 74% Number or questions during period leading to positive outcome for young person 2,124 Benefit per question (assuming 100% attribution, 0% deadweight) £6, Total benefit for period (assuming 100% attribution, 0% deadweight) £14,222, Attribution23% Deadweight50% Total benefit£1,635, Total input£221,714 Overall, for every £1 invested in askTheSite, YouthNet created a social impact of £7.38

Based on big assumptions so transparency is key Way of demonstrating the value of askTheSite in a language supporters understand Model has flexibility so can be adapted to other YouthNet services Summary

Questions for the panel

Thank you