Introduction to service evaluation

How do we plan a simple service evaluation? What do we need to have in place to get started? What data sources can we use and how do we collect data?

Aims of the workshop

This interactive workshop aims to generate discussion and provide answers to these and other questions about getting started with service evaluation. As well as teaching and supporting service evaluation for many years at ARC West, the presenter has recent experience of conducting evaluations for a wide range of organisations in the health and charity sector.  She will share her experience of successful evaluations and facilitate group work that will give you the opportunity to develop your own evaluation ideas and get feedback. After attending the workshop, participants will:

  • Appreciate what a simple evaluation involves, what it can do and what it can’t.
  • Be aware of some different approaches to designing an evaluation and resources for these.
  • Have used a logic model approach to initiate the process of planning a simple evaluation.
  • Have a better understanding of data sources and choosing data collection methods for evaluation.
  • Have considered ethical and governance issues, and public involvement, for their own evaluation
  • Know how to use the templates and tools to inform the planning of their own evaluation.
  • Know where to access further resources and support for evaluation.

A follow-up session is offered 8-10 weeks after the course to provide support with next steps.

Who is this workshop for?

Staff in health and social care from both provider and commissioning organisations, who are interested in carrying out a simple evaluation of a service or intervention. Participants should have an evaluation in mind that they need to carry out and be prepared to talk about this with others. Please note there will be a short exercise to complete before the course.