1. Social Impact Workshop
The difference we make
Social Impact Workshop

2. The workshop Introductions Social impact – key principles
Examples of measurement tools:
SROI
Social Audit
Outcome Stars
Activities (making social impact fun!?)

3. Terminology Confusology
Social value
Social objectives
Inputs
Displacement
Social return
Outputs
Social impact
Outcomes
Deadweight
Attribution
Theory of change

4. What is social impact?
“Social impact is the effect of an activity on the social fabric of the community and well-being of individuals and families” (SEUK)
“The change an organization creates through its actions” (UnLtd)
The difference we make
The value we create

5. Why measure social impact?
IT’S OUR REASON FOR BEING!
Improve your organization’s credibility
Prove the need and help define the market for your services
Inspire your staff and volunteers
Communicate the difference your business makes
Provide powerful publicity and marketing materials
Give you the information you need to improve
Help you secure future business
Assist with future funding or investment

6. Inspiring Impact

7. What should we measure? Key is to measure things that matter to:
You and your business
Your stakeholders (e.g. funders, commissioners, regulators, beneficiaries)
Make sure it is commensurate with size/complexity of work

8. Looking for clues
Governing document (e.g. charity deed, CIC36 form etc)
Original funding applications
Contract specifications
Beneficiaries/clients themselves
National/local policy

9. Logical steps Inputs Resources invested, activities carried out
Outputs
Direct results of activities, e.g. number of people supported
Outcomes
Changes as a result, e.g. more confidence, more employable

10. Example SMART outcome
People with poor mental health will have improved well-being and reduced debt stress Or
In 6 months, 100 people will have reduced stress about their debts

11. Another SMART outcome
Establishing service level agreements will lead to improved standards in housing, policing, environment and public services Or
In 3 years, residents will report a increase of 10% in satisfaction with policing

12. Social impact measurement systems
Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Social Audit Network
Outcomes Star
Local Impact Measurement Tool
Social Impact Tracker
Lamplight
The Rickter Scale
ECCO
The Questant Process

13. Social Return on Investment (SROI)
SROI calculates a monetary value for the social, economic and environmental outcomes created by an activity or an organisation
Creates a ratio e.g. £3 ‘return’ for every £1 ‘invested’
Involves stakeholders
Seven principles (see next slide)

15. SROI continued Pros Cons Recognised and respected system
Can be used by organisations from any sector
Consistent approach
Helps to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement
Self Assessment Tool available
Global Value Exchange
Can be complex
Cost implications
May not be suitable for smaller or newly established organisations
Still elements of subjectivity
Monetising things not of monetary value
Limited comparability

16. Social Audit Network www.socialauditnetwork.org.uk
Social Accounting and Audit (SAA) = assessing the social value generated by an organization
Creating a set of ‘social accounts’ alongside financial accounts
Uses outputs/indicators/outcomes concepts
Stakeholder analysis
8 key principles – purpose, scope, stakeholders, ‘materiality’, comparisons, transparency, verification, embedding

17. SAN continued Pros Cons Builds on existing reporting systems
External verification and ‘sign off’
Engages wider audience
Established and respected
May not be suitable for organisations starting out measuring social impact
Time
Cost of verification

18. Outcomes Star Set of tools for working with people
20 different versions for different client groups
Scales/assessment
Can be averaged/summarised

20. Outcomes Star continued
Pros
Cons
Sector specific
Consistent scales enable comparability across sectors
User friendly for both practitioners and service users
Detailed information
Online/web version
Information still needs to be analysed to illustrate wider impact of organisation or project
Less suitable for organisations not providing direct support to service user groups
May be intrusive
Modest licence fee

21. Do it yourself! Set up your own system
What is the need/what are you trying to achieve?
How will you measure this, e.g. use a simple feedback form
Gather the data
Analyse/evaluate the information
Write a report!

22. Communicating social impact
Good presentation
Key facts in context
Storytelling
Case studies (use with caution and concision)
Report writing
Infographics (e.g. Piktochart)
Plan your campaign

23. Resources Global Value Exchange: www.globalvalueexchange.org
Charities Evaluation Services:
Big Society Capital Outcomes:
Social Impact Tracker:
Social Value Hub:
Outcomes Star:
Social Impact Scotland:
There’s loads more!

24. Contact us Gareth Hart Director, Iridescent Ideas CIC 07786 863206