1. GETTING STARTED IN SOCIAL IMPACT MEASUREMENT
Nicky Stevenson

2. 5 foundations
Based on research we did with Middlesex and workshops delivered to over 300 people

3. Clarity of purpose
Theory of change

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Key points
Proportionality
Transparency
Integrity