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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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