'Inspiring Futures' - How social impact measurement as a form of organisational performance management can enhance outcomes for children and young people in custody

Since 2008, the number of children and young people entering the youth justice system has reduced, as has the use of custody (YJB, 2018). Despite this decrease, the youth justice system exists in a wider context with austerity measures reducing available resources and provisions for children and young people (UK Children’s Commissioner, 2015), which in turn increases the requirements for effective and sustainable interventions that improve outcomes. Measuring the social impact of custody for children and young people is a nascent area academically, with current measurement approaches focused on output and outcome rather than social impact (Paterson-Young et al., 2017). This research employed a sequential mixed method approach that promoted the active participation of children and young people, as well as staff members in Secure Training Centres (STCs). Results supported the development of a social impact measurement framework to examine the outcomes and social impact of custody on children and young people, and illustrate that the current STC model lacks the multi-stakeholder approach that promotes stakeholder engagement, individual focused interventions, evidence based approaches and service redesign (Hazenberg, Seddon and Denny, 2014). Failure to develop such an approach limits the STCs’ ability to measure the social impact of services which, inevitably, reduces opportunities for developing effective and sustainable services. Before embedding the measurement framework developed from this research, the STCs require significant overhaul to ensure their purpose and direction are clear. Although significant overhaul is required before implementing the SIM framework, research findings contributed to the development of a rehabilitative environment model that identifies the measurement factors contributing to positive outcomes for children and young people

Pathways for Recovery Annual Report (July 2023)

Unemployment, especially long term unemployment, has significant negative effects on individual and community well-being.These negative effects have been exacerbated by COIVD-19 pandemic. Pathways for Recovery is a part funded European Social Fund, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) wide comprehensive employment support initiative delivered by a regional partnership including specialist support providers, employment and skills organisations and strategic stakeholders. It helps job seekers and economically inactive people, including people experiencing long term unemployed and people far from the labour market who need support to get themselves back into employment. This report presents the results from the research evaluating the Pathways for Recovery programme (from July 2022 to April 2023) which aims to help those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Homes2Inspire Final Report - April 2024

Prospects, Homes2Inspire, and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust formed a partnership leading to a project that embeds a Health and Wellbeing Officer into the support available in the Children’s Home, alongside existing Children’s Home Staff1. This role seeks to provide two key benefits. First, the Health and Wellbeing Officer is expected to improve children and young people's mental health and wellbeing, and second, in doing this, it is believed to have an impact on the ability of staff to develop a meaningful and stable relationship with children and young people, improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing, and also to improve staff’ wellbeing and job satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to investigate if the above mentioned changes have occurred with the introduction of the Health and Wellbeing Officer.To evaluate the programme both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from April 2023 to January 2024. The quantitative data presented in this report were gathered through an online questionnaire that captured the responses of staff. In total, 38 questionnaires were collected (29 at the beginning and nine at the end of the evaluation) with a focus on the Homes2Inspire environment, their wellbeing, and their job engagement. The qualitative data collection consisted of six interviews with staff members, a case study with one young person, and quotations from staff provided by Homes2Inspire. Moreover, social impact figures were shared by Homes2Inspire to allow for comparisons from 2022 to 2023. Overall, the introduction of the Health and Wellbeing Officer had an impact on several aspects of the programme. Homes2Inspire provides support for children and young people by increasing their wellbeing, self-confidence, and autonomy. The integration of the Health and Wellbeing Officer had a positive impact on the managers and the staff members who can now confide in support in helping the children and young people's development. Moreover, the integration of the Health and Wellbeing Officer has had a demonstratable social impact for 2022 and 2023, with an overall social impact of £495,236.47

Social Enterprise Support Fund: Final Evaluation Report

The Social Enterprise Support Fund (SESF) was established to provide grants and non-financial support to social enterprises (SEs) and charities within England, with an emphasis on supporting enterprises to recover and rebuild in a post-Covid society. The programme was delivered by UnLtd: The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs (UnLtd), The School for Social Entrepreneurs, the Key Fund, Resonance and Big Issue Invest, with the University of Northampton acting as the external and independent Evaluation and Learning Partner, responsible for supporting the delivery partners in understanding the cost-effectiveness and lessons from the fund. This research report presents the final data on the efficacy and impact of SESF to date, based upon data gathered between December 2021 and August 2023. Specifically, the research aimed to assess:• The extent to which onward grants and technical assistance were delivered effectively;• The extent to which onward grants and technical assistance achieved the intended impact on the SEs and the people they support;• How the fund delivered against its equity and inclusion targets and actions; and what helped partners reach Inclusion Targets for the scheme and what did not;• The role played by contextual blockers and enablers that SEs have faced in implementing their plans;• Customer satisfaction with the scheme, including for unsuccessful applicants; and• Capture the learning developed throughout the SESF’s delivery in close collaboration with the lead learning partner, UnLtd

Social Enterprise Support Fund: Final Evaluation Report

The Social Enterprise Support Fund (SESF) was established to provide grants and non-financial support to social enterprises (SEs) and charities within England, with an emphasis on supporting enterprises to recover and rebuild in a post-Covid society. The programme was delivered by UnLtd: The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs (UnLtd), The School for Social Entrepreneurs, the Key Fund, Resonance and Big Issue Invest, with the University of Northampton acting as the external and independent Evaluation and Learning Partner, responsible for supporting the delivery partners in understanding the cost-effectiveness and lessons from the fund. This research report presents the final data on the efficacy and impact of SESF to date, based upon data gathered between December 2021 and August 2023. Specifically, the research aimed to assess:• The extent to which onward grants and technical assistance were delivered effectively;• The extent to which onward grants and technical assistance achieved the intended impact on the SEs and the people they support;• How the fund delivered against its equity and inclusion targets and actions; and what helped partners reach Inclusion Targets for the scheme and what did not;• The role played by contextual blockers and enablers that SEs have faced in implementing their plans;• Customer satisfaction with the scheme, including for unsuccessful applicants; and• Capture the learning developed throughout the SESF’s delivery in close collaboration with the lead learning partner, UnLtd

Spark Change - Final Evaluation Report January 2024

Spark Change is a programme funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and five Local Authorities (funding matched the ESIF). It aims to provide tailored support for NEET young people to support them in developing the skills required to progress into employment, training or education. The programme is offered in London (Bexley, Brent, Harrow, Hackney, and Havering) for NEET young people aged 16 to 24 and young people aged 15 to 18 that are At Risk. This report unveils the findings from the research evaluating the Spark Change programme spanning from July 2022 to December 2023 and delves into the impact of the two aforementioned services. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation utilises both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Both the interviews and the analysis of the questionnaires yielded crucial insights into the performance of Spark Change. Participants from both paths exhibited an enhancement in well-being, confidence, self-esteem, and resilience

Building Better Opportunities: Working Progress - Final Report 2019 – 2023 (Phase 2)

Northamptonshire has a mixture of rural and urban areas, with several issues that need attention, including support for an ageing population, poverty, health, and well-being (Paterson-Young, Hazenberg, and Brylka, 2017). A key problem that affects Northamptonshire is the relatively high level of unemployment among individuals who are categorised as economically active. Unemployment, especially long-term unemployment, significantly impacts on an individual’s life (Eden and Aviram, 1993; Meyers and Houssemand, 2010). This report presents the results from the Phase 2 research evaluating BBO Working Progress programme between August 2019 (the beginning of the evaluation) and January 2023 (the end). BBO Working Progress aims to help unemployed and economically inactive adults across Northamptonshire gain training, education, volunteering opportunities, and employment. The research evaluation outlines the experiences of programme participants and delivery partners, using a mixed method approach complemented by the Social Impact Matrix©. Quantitative data, through online questionnaires, captured the responses of 568 programme participants on the psychological benefits, in particular self-efficacy and well-being, and employment benefits of the programme. Further quantitative data was collected from 47 programme participants, delivery partners and other organisations on the consequences of Covid-19 on BBO Working Progress. Qualitative data consisted of 67 semi-structured interviews with participants, delivery partners, and external stakeholders focused on the needs of programme participants and the programme performance