The document discusses using information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve outcomes monitoring for voluntary and community organizations (VCOs). It provides examples of how ICT can help with collecting, storing, retrieving, and presenting outcomes data. Specific tools mentioned include online surveys, databases, and digital storytelling. The document also discusses developing an ICT system and action plan to capture outcomes data more effectively.

1. ICT for Outcomes Monitoring 23 rd May 2011 Raising awareness of a range of ICT tools that can be deployed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of outcomes monitoring.

2. Session objectives Learn how ICT can help with collecting, storing, retrieving and presenting outcomes information Understand more about the processes involved in implementing a holistic system See demonstrations looking at ‘off the shelf' systems selected for relevance in terms of services, client group and cost Start identifying specific tools that will enable you to better capture information relating to your organisations outcomes Draft an action plan to support adoption of these tools over the next year 6 – 12 months

3. A quick recap Outputs What you do Outcomes What difference / impact you make Monitoring Collecting information Evaluation Making sense of it

4. Overall Aim Specific Aims Activities Outcomes Outputs VCOs make better use of ICT to deliver their services More effective & efficient service delivery Staff & volunteers have the necessary skills Training Onsite & remote technical support ICT Healthchecks & Action Plans Source: Charities Evaluation Service Superhighways Fit for purpose & stable ICT infrastructure

5. Performance Indicators How do you know you are making a difference? What evidence could you use to demonstrate this difference? What will you need to measure to evidence this difference? Numbers using your service Client profile / background Numbers progressing to mainstream education Referral to other services

6. How are you currently using ICT to capture & evidence Outcomes? What challenges do you face? Do you already have ideas for how you can improve this process? Your current practice

7. Why ICT can help? Greater efficiency: Automating manual processes Reducing paperwork Reducing staff time Greater effectiveness: Sharing / accessing information Analysing data in more sophisticated ways Presenting information with greater impact & to a wider variety of audiences

9. How ICT can help? Collecting Storing Presenting

10. Collecting Outcomes information Online surveys Website feedback Outreach laptops Digital / video cameras Dictaphones Diaries / blogs

11. Source: London Housing Foundation

12. Storing Outcomes information Spreadsheets Databases Developed in-house Custom built Off the shelf Digital filing

13. Source: London Housing Foundation

14. Retrieving & Presenting Outcomes information Database queries & reports Charts & graphs Websites Annual reviews Videos / Digital Storytelling

15. Feedback on a website (www.straightalking.org.uk)

16. Video footage

17. Developing a system… First steps Get together as a team and identify and agree the what, how, when, why and then capture this on paper Remember to include bother outputs and outcomes

18. Next steps… Draw up a brief Then consider… Is this something that can be realistically developed in house? If not, research whether a system already exists to meet your needs? If not, budget for the bespoke option

19. Resources required? Upgraded ICT infrastructure? A new system or developments to an existing system? Data migration or start from scratch? Staff roles and training?

20. www.ces-vol.org.uk/ index.cfm?pg=416

21. Charities Evaluation Services http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/downloads/ itforoutcomespublication-827-835.pdf

23. Outcomes star Versions currently available: Homelessness Star Mental Health Recovery Star Teen Star Alcohol Star Work Star Older Person's Star Family Star Community Star Versions currently in development: Music Therapy Star Life Star for learning disability Spectrum Star for autism & aspergers syndrome Sexual Health Star Well-being Star Empowerment Star for domestic violence services

24. Teen Star This version has been developed for and with teenagers in a substance misuse setting but should be applicable in other settings. Outcome areas (6): Drugs and alcohol Well-being Safety and security Structure and education Behaviour and citizenship Family and other key adults These link to the five high-level Every Child Matters (ECM) outcomes….

25. Evidencing outcomes at different levels The Outcomes Star can provide outcomes data at four levels: For individual service users: the Star gives a snapshot of where they were on each outcome area when they joined the project and at each review – the difference between starting point and review shows the progress made in that time. For a project as a whole: the average starting points on entry to the service and the amount of progress made in a specified time period or over their life-time in the project can be calculated – this gives a picture of the project outcomes. The Outcomes Star™ online can provide this information at the touch of a button. For a group of projects across an organisation: the same information as above can be calculated for each project allowing comparison between different services. In addition users of the Outcomes Star™ online can compare the progress made by different sub-groups of clients, for example women and men or older and younger service users. For similar projects across a sector: the same analyses as described above can be carried out for a sector as a whole. This makes it possible to establish benchmarks identifying good practice and building an outcomes-focused evidence base. This is only possible using the Outcomes Star™ online.

26. www.staronline.org.uk

27. www.lamplightdb.co.uk

28. Lamplight demos Customising fields Adding outcomes and seeing change See your impact overall

29. Developing an action plan Outcomes & indicators Using ICT to capture / present this information Resources required – infrastructure & skills Allocating responsibility / setting a timeline

30. Best practice issues Are you registered with the information commissioner? www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk Do you have a data protection & privacy policy and explain why you collect data and what it will be used for? Do you ask for permission to use photos / videos? Is your client data secure i.e. password protected, backed up, safeguarded with anti virus software and a firewall?

31. For more help contact: Superhighways 0208 255 8040 [email_address]