Frequently Asked Questions

Solution: You need a Theory of Change and an Outcomes Framework

Defining the right measures is the most important task to rigorously assess social impact. Our first step is to help you articulate your Theory of Change (ToC). A ToC is an assessment of why and how our intervention can achieve your desired outcomes. We will produce a ToC report card that identifies your key activities and how they are linked to your impact. As such, the ToC highlights the important activities and impacts to measure. Our approach is to use the ToC to define the resource, inputs, outputs and outcomes required, to evidence your impact. We define these measures in a straight forward outcomes framework and our extensive experience allows us to take advantage of what has worked previously. We can then recommend the use of tried and tested measurement tools – such as the measurement of well-being.

Solution: You need our cost-effective and efficient Data Collection System

Rigorous social impact analyses require good data, and this data can be collected cost-effectively. We review how you are currently collecting data and we implement the right solution to make data collection both more accurate and more efficient and fill any data gaps. That could be to update your current processes, build new Excel or Access tools, or an internet application. We develop and validate questionnaire tools to measure any subjective social impacts, such as well-being. We also manage your data by completing routine data quality checks so you know that your data is reliable and valid.

Example: Please see our Housing Justice case study

Solution: You need a rigorous and comprehensive Impact Communication Plan

Social impact analytics have the greatest impact when valued by, and communicated to, all stakeholders. We will assist you in considering the reporting requirements of your different stakeholders, from clients to management and from board members to funders. In doing so we will identify what each stakeholder values, from enhancing a relationship between staff and clients through to a rigorous demonstration of impact for board members, and return on investment for funders and social investors. We develop the indicators that these groups want to view and use different platforms – Excel, Power BI and The Cloud – to produce reports.

Example: We are helping Sodexo Justice Services design appropriate reports and analyses to maximise reductions in reoffending among their service users. For service users and offender managers this requires reporting on the individual’s likelihood of reoffending, his or her journey towards reducing this, and what can be done to limit this likelihood going forward. For managers and board members this requires reporting on the likely overall reduction in reoffending and how organisation performance can be changed to reduce further reoffending.

Solution: You need to use our Advanced Predictive Analysis

The social impact data we define and collect can be used to identity where greater social impact can be achieved. We will apply our cutting edge predictive analyses to identify for whom, and in what circumstances, your impact is greatest. Our predictive analysis reports will identify the drivers of success and make recommendations for how you can quickly and simply learn and improve. For example, does your intervention work better for girls than boys? Can your assessment tool be improved? Is a one-on-one approach more effective than group work?

Example: Outward Bound: we applied our PA to the Outward Bound Trust’s subjective well-being data which enabled them to update their intervention and provide a more tailored service to the young people they support. Thanks to our predictive analysis the Outward Bound Trust also identified the impact of different ways of working and were able to concentrate on those that were most likely to promote well-being.

Solution: You need to use our Advanced Predictive Analysis Modelling

When your funding is conditional on achieving an impact – such as through social impact bonds or payment by results – it is reassuring to know how likely you are to achieve an impact. We will apply our cutting edge predictive analysis modelling that estimates – taking into account the clients you work with and your previous achievement of outcomes – what impact you can have with your current clients or service users. We will work with you to identify the drivers of success and segment your service users to understand what works and for whom.

Example: Sodexo case study – GtD are supporting Sodexo’s probation services with our predictive analysis to reduce reoffending rates. Sodexo are committed to reducing reoffending and wanted to create a continuous improvement culture. They employed us to use our predictive analyses to identify who was most likely to reoffend and why, and to investigate a high quality support service that reduces reoffending.

Solution: You need our rigorous evaluation approaches and methods that provide the definitive results expected by external audiences and funders

We provide impact evaluation to organisations who need to demonstrate the success of their programme to funders, board members, management and clients. We provide rigorous evaluation by offering either a longitudinal or quasi-experimental approach. The former demonstrates changes over time and links directly to the causal mechanisms generated by your intervention. Quasi-experiments demonstrate impact by comparing your results to a control group, constructed using a statistical model. The control group is defined by either using your data or nationally available datasets. To deliver the most rigorous control group, we will advise on the choice of approach in light of the circumstances of the intervention, outcomes and availability of data.

Example: Please see the YRI case study

Solution: You need our flexible design approach that ensures a sufficiently rigorous evaluation is possible

Having determined how to prove the impact of your approach, we will ask our clients the following questions in order to develop a cost-effective evaluation design. For example, what are the right measures? Can they be tested by the available data? What sample size is achievable? How will the data be collected? How will they be analysed and can they withstand rigorous analyses – in other words, are they reliable and valid?

Example: Right Track – The Right Track project operated in nine areas of England with the overall aim of improving the resilience of disadvantaged young people to ensure a smooth transition in years 6, 9 and 11. To design the evaluation we identified the right outcome measures, how the data was collected and the likely sample size available. We used a longitudinal design that would measure outcomes at three time points and used a statistical model to identify if the programme contributed to the changes in the main outcome measure – which is this case was mental toughness.