Supporting the CYN to establish a measurement framework
The Creative Youth Network (CYN) enables young people, no matter what their background or circumstances, to reach their own potential; a wide range of activities and projects are delivered to help young people overcome the barriers they face. The work ranges from Open Access youth clubs and activities, small groups work such as creative courses, through to 1:1 work with a Wellbeing Practitioner. All provision to young people at CYN is underpinned by a Theory of Change linked into the Young Foundation Outcomes Framework; it is this that is forming the basis for what should and can be measured by the service.
CORC have worked through a logic model with both managerial and front-line staff to identify specifically what change mechanisms underpin the work. Examples of the mechanisms that have been identified as supporting young people to change are that young people feel safe, feel respected and feel listened to. Workshops with staff delivering specific activities have also been held to unpick the outcomes young people can achieve when accessing different aspects of the service. This will allow the right measurement tools to be chosen and ensure the service can monitor interventions for quality and impact.
CORC and CYN have worked together to find new ways of delivering this project when face to face meetings and workshops are not possible. Online workshops have been well attended and staff have felt empowered to participate in inclusive discussions; young people engaged through online workshops and short surveys in identifying the change mechanisms, and deciding how change and success should be measured and monitored. Our next steps are to set out and test a measurement framework which can be rolled out to all staff, supported by web-based training.
"We were delighted when CORC expressed an interest in getting involved in this. Their involvement has enabled us to hold a lens to this vital piece of work and to simplify our approach which at the outset seemed quite daunting and is now an enjoyable process. CORC have enabled us to see where we want to get to and have supported us to create the pathways. We are getting buy in from our frontline teams, many of whom are now passionate ambassadors for the work." - Jack Beech, Chief Operating Officer, Creative Youth Network