Advising on government funding programmes

NPC uses its combination of knowledge, skills and experience to inform policy makers and to evaluate the success of programmes of funding or support for the third sector.

 

>>Read NPC's manifesto for social impact, written in the run up to the 2010 election.

 

Research and analysis to inform policy makers

Our team of researchers consists of experts in social policy and charity analysis, as well as a measurement team that specialises in quantitative and qualitative research. We have a reputation for delivering high quality, objective research, and we have been awarded contracts to conduct research and evaluation on behalf of charities, grant-makers and government. Our work in this area includes:

• a project for the Government Equalities Office to evaluate the stability and sustainability of the violence against women sector;

• a project for the Cabinet Office and other funders, looking at how the reporting burden for charities could be reduced; and

• a project to inform the Treasury/DfES review of services for disabled children.

Evaluation of funding programmes to assess the method of delivery and the impact achieved

Our work in this area includes:

• a report for Futurebuilders England to assist with the production of its learning reports; and

• an evaluation of the Office of the Third Sector’s Targeted Support Fund, expected to be published in mid-2010.

Evaluating charities tackling violence against women

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) commissioned NPC to evaluate the stability and sustainability of charities working in the violence against women sector. The first phase of research involved a rapid evidence assessment and stakeholder analysis. The second phase consisted of primary research interviewing a sample of VAW charities to assess their stability and sustainability in greater depth, and comparing them with a sample of mental health charities. The GEO have used our report to help inform their strategy fopr tackling violence against women. Read the report >

What price an ordinary life?

NPC's report What price an ordinary life? was produced to feed into the Treasury/DfES review of services for disabled children in 2007. Resources for disabled children are limited and it is important that they are well spent. Yet there are few detailed studies of costs and benefits on which to base decision-making. NPC’s report aims to reveal as much as possible about the financial costs and benefits of two services for disabled children and their families: short breaks and key worker services.

Turning the tables

NPC was funded by the Scotland Funders’ Forum, BIG Lottery Fund and the Cabinet Office to look at how the reporting burden for charities could be reduced. The aim was to ‘turn the tables’ and inspire charities to negotiate more coherent reporting requirements form their funders. Read the full story >