Call for Evidence: VCSE Data and Intelligence

The Association is working with NCVO and other partners to explore how data and intelligence held by the voluntary sector is used. The aim of this study is to enable better service planning and address inequalities in public service delivery. This study is gathering examples of good practice through a questionnaire, case studies, and focus groups. The work is commissioned by the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance and results will be published in April 2021. More information on your can contribute can be found here.

Focus Groups

Infrastructure

We are looking for infrastructure organisations to take part in a focus group exploring how data and intelligence held by the voluntary sector is used in the strategic planning of health and social care services. Through a focus group discussion with 8-12 participants, we hope to find some examples of where this is working well, as well as what the enablers and barriers are to this happening well, and what lessons can be learnt.

In addition to this focus group we are conducting an online questionnaire and collecting case studies to enable us to gather both a breadth and depth of input.

Equalities

We are looking for frontline voluntary organisations to take part in a focus group exploring how data and intelligence held by the voluntary sector is used in the strategic planning of health and social care services. Through a focus group discussion with 8-12 participants, we hope to find some examples of where this is working well, as well as what the enablers and barriers are to this happening well, and what lessons can be learnt.

In addition to this focus group we are conducting an online questionnaire and collecting case studies to enable us to gather both a breadth and depth of input.

Questionnaire

We are asking frontline voluntary organisations to complete this questionnaire. This will help us to determine current barriers and enablers to the systematic capture of data and intelligence, and how this contributes to the planning of health and social care services. Please complete the questionnaire by Friday 11 December.

In addition to this questionnaire we will be running focus groups and collecting case studies to enable us to gather both a breadth and depth of input.

Case studies

As part of the research for this project we are gathering ‘good practice case studies’ that will highlight services or areas where the data and intelligence held by the voluntary sector is systematically used to contribute to the planning of health and social care services.

We are seeking a range of examples. Case studies can be from place/borough/district, locality/neighbourhood or system level. They can be associated with a theme e.g. mental health or dementia, or associated with a community of geography, interest or identity. We are looking for case studies that can tell the story, highlight enablers and barriers and share lessons learnt. Please use the headings below to submit your case studies to Dania, by Friday 18 December.

Case Studies Headings/Template

Background

In this section please briefly introduce:

• your organisation
• local context, e.g. your organisation’s role in relation to issue, local system structure, etc. – please keep brief and concise
• partner organisations involved in the highlighted work.

Challenge

Please describe the challenge or issue you were/are trying to address.

Action

Please describe the steps you took, or are taking, to address the issue described. Others will be interested in ‘what was done’ so try to describe the key stages and actions in a way that would enable others to replicate

Outcomes

Please outline the key outcomes you have achieved or hope to achieve. Include both expected and unexpected positive outcomes.

Impact

Please tell us the ‘So what?’; describe the impact of the outcomes detailed above. What real difference has it made? You can include any or a combination of:

• data
• short stories
• quotes from participants / partners / stakeholders.

Enablers

Please identify the key enabling factors that contributed, or you hope to contribute, to achieving success. You can also include elements that weren’t in place but you know would have made difference if they were. Please use bullet points.

Lessons learnt

Please outline lessons learnt from any challenges faced or anticipated. This can include any remaining sticky issues you were unable to overcome or new challenges that arouse during the journey.

Recommendations

Please provide up to three recommendation(s) you would make to others trying to work on similar issues. These could be for organisations, partners, systems, etc., voluntary or public sector.

DEADLINES

Questionnaire – Friday 11 December

Case Studies – Friday 18 December