UPDATE ON EVALUATION OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND THIRD SECTOR CHALLENGE FUND 25 th February 2013
EVALUATION UPDATE 1. Research components: Project visits – to date 17 projects completed. These involve: • − Focus groups with young people − Interviews with key project staff • Interviews with key stakeholders • Review of monitoring data 2. Due to report end of March 1
OBJECTIVES AND VALUE OF CHALLENGE FUND 1. Objectives of programme: • Help tackle youth unemployment through: − Investing in what works − Test new and innovative approaches • Opportunity for Third Sector to demonstrate what it can do 2. Wider outcomes identified include: • Built capacity of Third Sector organisations: − Built experience of outcome-based funding − Supported staff training and new services − Enhanced portfolio/credibility of organisations to support future bids • Helped to change perceptions of young people • Helped to develop relationship between SDS and Third Sector 2
STRENGTHS OF CHALLENGE FUND 1. Large number of applications made • Shows Third Sector willing and able to respond 2. Wide range of approaches taken 3. Flexibility Referrals – not reliant on fixed referral routes • Activities and support delivered for young people • 4. Helped to meet gap in local provision Including support for ‘missing middle’ • 5. Well-managed with SDS responsive to queries • Ability to re-profile targets 3
CHALLENGES OF CHALLENGE FUND 1. Tight timescales • Impacted on scope for innovation 2. Difficulty of delivering over winter months • Added to difficulties of securing work experience placements and jobs Uncertainty of what happens post 31 st March 2013 3. 4. Scope to have learned from other projects 5. Issue of geographical coverage across Scotland 6. Fact that one-off programme Impacts on continuity of service • 4
EMERGING SENSE OF WHAT HAS WORKED WELL 1. Got started early Had capacity in place – trained/experienced staff 2. 3. Clear project focus on achieving outcomes 4. Flexibility to meet individual needs of young people 5
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