In 2011/12 SfC&D secured co investment from the UKCES as part of the Employer Investment Fund. This was to support the delivery of four innovative project proposals namely: Learn from Learning; Mobile Knowledge and Learning Solutions; Assessing the workforce implications of Assistive Technology; and Recruiting a World Class Workforce. LES were appointed in 2012 to undertake an independent evaluation of these four projects. The evaluation was successfully completed in March 2014. Throughout the two-year evaluation project a mix of both process and outcome evaluation approaches were used.

The evaluation was undertaken as part of a study examining the impact of debt and welfare rights advice in Sandwell. The research involved identifying impacts of welfare rights advice in terms of additional income generated for Sandwell residents, wider impacts on residents in relation to improved quality of life and detailed economic modelling to assess the wider impacts on the local economy through the ‘multiplier effect’. Impacts identified in relation to debt advice included assessment of impacts in relation to health, levels of stress, relations with family and friends, ability to buy essential things and overall quality of life, ability to buy non-essential things, undertake leisure activities and ability to travel. (Undertaken in conjunction with MEL Reserch)

The impact assessment which was undertaken in conjunction with ARCS involved using a range of innovative techniques to assess the costs and benefits of the work undertaken by the project. The report presents findings from analysis of a wide range of evidence from Salford Foundation, ADAPT programme records, the Police (both in Salford and outside Salford) and national sources.

The purpose of the project was to assess the economic impact of the proposed Uplands Park mixed use development in North London, particularly in terms of the impact in terms of employment and income generated.

This work involved an evaluation of the DWP Local Pension Service within seven UK regions. The objective of the evaluation was to identify the effectiveness of new Local Service arrangements from a national perspective.

External evaluation of the Efford Building Communities Initiative (BCI), one of four South West Regional Development Agency (SWERDA) funded pilot programmes focusing on investment to reverse the decline of neighbourhood centres.

The evaluation on behalf of Skills for Care involved reviewing different types of activity taking place in relation to pre-employment activity for social care.

The study involved the use of demographic information on current tenants/occupiers to develop a detailed profile of tenants; use of existing national sources to model likely income and expenditure at a regional level; more detailed analysis of likely student tenant expenditure patterns based on existing survey work; Input-output modelling derived from ONS UK input-output Tables, adjusted in relation to the London and sub regional profile of the economy and employment. This approach enabled a detailed assessment of the impact of proposed and existing housing and business developments in terms of changes in the demographic profile of the neighbourhood/locality; increased demand for local goods and services; likely employment generated locally and regionally; and likely additional income injected into the local and regional economy.

A comprehensive evaluation of the Location Model developed by Skillsmart Retail and its use within six locations within the West Midlands.

An in-depth review of the Motor Industry Young Apprenticeships programme in England.

This project involved an evaluation of the Health and Social Care Careership Programme within the Black Country, a scheme designed to provide career pathways into the social care sector.