Work areas

Project and programme evaluation, auditing, appraisals and reviews

Project and programme evaluations, audits, appraisals and reviews are all tools for exploring and learning from the performance of regeneration programmes and other initaitives. They should lead to organisational and process improvements in delivering regeneration benefits.

CAG has a wide range of experience in undertaking qualitative and quantitative evaluations and audits for SRB, NDC and other programmes across a range of thematic areas including education, training, employment, health, children’s services and capacity building.

CAG employs a stakeholder-centred approach that concentrates on ‘the journey taken’ and involves those being evaluated in a positive, empowering way. We do not regard this as being in conflict with an objective, critical and professional approach. For evaluations, CAG uses an innovative model, developed to explore the baselines, inputs, throughputs, outputs and outcomes, as well as value for money of the programme or project being evaluated.

CAG is especially skilled at evaluating partnership working aspects of regeneration programmes and auditing the performance of individual projects and has a strong track record of working with partnerships and boards to evaluate their programme management performance in a positive way.

We offer:

• Qualitative and quantitative methodologies utilising a wide range of investigative techniques
• Ongoing, annual, mid-term and final evaluations
• Strategic reviews of programme performance, management and partnership working
• Evaluations of community engagement and capacity building
• Reporting and dissemination of best practice findings on a practical and policy level

Some examples of our work include:

Lincolnshire Multi-Use Centres Programme

In association with Community Consultants, CAG is currently completing the final evaluation of the Multi-Use Centres Programme for Lincolnshire County Council. CAG and Community Consultants have been employed to conduct interim and final evaluations of the programme to develop Multi Use-Centres in parts of the County and have used a variety of evaluation methods including structured interviews, user surveys, desk research and case studies to explore development, accountability and sustainability issues.

Every Action Counts evaluation for Defra

CAG have been contracted by the Sustainable Development Unit at Defra to design and carry out a formative evaluation of the Community Action 2020 programme between Autumn 2005 and Autumn 2009. This is involving exploration of the process as well as inputs, outputs and outcomes of this major behaviour change programme.

Defra Environmental Action Fund (EAF) 2002 – 2005

CAG undertook a summative evaluation of the Defra Environmental Action Fund (EAF) which ran from 2002 – 2005. The fund provided resources for voluntary and community sector organisations undertaking environmental projects, and so the evaluation involved interviews with many of these organisations.

Trust Thamesmead

CAG undertook a Strategic Review; assessing the constitution, structures and policies; consultation with key stakeholders and involvement of staff in redefining values, mission and objectives; building capacity and the adoption of a community development approach to service delivery and engagement with local people and organisations.

SEEDA Evaluation of Community Capacity Building in the South East

CAG ran an evaluation including 20 case studies and an assessment of the link between community involvement and the Regional Economic Strategy and Social Inclusion; producing examples of best practice and drawing out implications for the management of the ‘single pot’.

Hammersmith & Fulham Children’s Fund

CAG is the independent evaluator for the Hammersmith & Fulham Children’s Fund which, over a three-year period, involves a review of all projects supported by the Fund, detailed reviews of case study projects, a strategic review of the partnership, training in self-evaluation for service providers and developing recommendations for a strategic evaluation framework for the partnership.

Regeneration Across Communities of Lincolnshire

CAG and Community Consultants conducted a mid term and later rounds of evaluation of the ERDF funded initiative Regeneration Across Communities of Lincolnshire (RACoL). CAG assessed programme achievements made against set targets through a mix of interviews, workshops, surveying and desk research, and made recommendations for improvements.

Cambridgeshire Partnerships Review

CAG completed a partnerships review for Cambridgeshire County Council to make recommendations for the rationalization of partnerships for the county. The project used a mix of on-line methods for running a self-evaluation process but also included facilitated stakeholder workshops and an independent expert analysis of findings by CAG.

Regional Action West Midlands Evaluation

CAG carried out a detailed evaluation of RAWMS’ SRB programme and a strategic review of its role as the lead voluntary/community sector organisation in the West Midlands.

Young Innovation evaluation for Envolve Partnerships for Sustainability

We undertook an evaluation of the Young Innovation programme, which was managed by Envolve from 2004 – 2005. It involved young people from 8 different schools in working with 8 different businesses to explore sustainable development issues. The evaluation involved interviews with young people, teachers, business representatives and project deliverers and partners. A detailed report provided both the results of the evaluation of this successful education for sustainable development project, and recommendations for ways forward for Envolve.

Hollingdean, Brighton Evaluation

CAG ran an evaluation of a joint Sure Start and Neighbourhood Renewal programme focusing on engagement with local people, community appraisals and forward strategy.

Forum @ Greenwich Review of Strategy

CAG assessed progress against the 2002 CAG Strategic Review, which resulted in exceptional growth in income, turnover and staff, to refocus priorities and move towards a membership owned and controlled organisation.

Leicester City SRB Evaluation

CAG undertook a 'bottom up' approach to evaluation involving extensive consultation with stakeholders and 'beneficiaries' leading to firm recommendations on how the programme could be restructured to improve delivery and maximise sources of external funding while developing an exit strategy.

Sheffield SRB 4 Interim Evaluation

CAG carried out an in-depth evaluation of the SRB 4 programme in Sheffield including a review of regional context and a value for money analysis of the programme.

East Colchester SRB 5 Interim Evaluation

CAG undertook an evaluation of project and partnership level operations of the East Colchester SRB 5 programme including developing case studies, wide scale interviewing, feedback events and a value for money assessment.

Waltham Forest SRB 5 NOW Programme Evaluation and 3 Case Studies

We revised the programme baseline information, developed ways of targeting outputs and made firm recommendations on how to measure outcomes.

Hertfordshire SRB Evaluation

We were involved the evaluation of 5 SRB programmes looking at financial management, partnership and quality control systems. CAG proposed a range of changes designed to improve strategic co-ordination, avoid duplication and ensure appropriate 'tracking' systems were put in place.

Derker Development Trust Organisational Review

We undertook a structural and organisational review of a well established community organisation in Oldham, leading to the establishment of a Development Trust in a neighbourhood renewal area.

New Opportunities for Walthamstow SRB Final Evaluation

Following our mid-term evaluation of the programme, CAG have now been appointed to carry out the final evaluation. This will involve exploring the impacts of individual projects; the impact and added value of the programme as a whole; and the role of the Partnership, within a comparative context, both in driving the NOW SRB programme and in its role for the future.

Forward Scotland Evaluation of Local Environmental Projects

CAG undertook an evaluation of community-based local environmental improvement activity in Scotland, on behalf of Forward Scotland. This research examined the level of community involvement, and the contribution such activity makes to sustainable development, environmental justice and the separate elements that make up sustainability.

For more information contact:

Susan Parham
020 7704 0018
sp@cagconsult.co.uk

Emma Cranidge
01706 817347
ec@cagconsult.co.uk