Short Abstract

Homes England has been on an evaluation journey over the past 5 years; from nothing to a comprehensive evaluation programme that directly informs programme design. The session will explore the journey, and how it's possible to build a capability that can effect real change.

Description

The session will show the development of Homes England's evaluation programme, what the research has found, and how this has influenced programme design.

It will show the journey from no evaluation activity, to a comprehensive programme of evaluation research that underpins programme design and delivery.

It will explain how that transformation has been achieved within a government agency, through being ambitious, tactical, and understanding the needs of the audience for evaluation. An important element has involved being clear on not only the need for evaluation (a stick!), but also the opportunity it presents (a carrot!). For instance, delivering independent evaluations has helped the Agency show the value for money of its programmes, make the case for changes in the approach to delivery, and show government it is serious about improving.

The session will also take the audience through some of the lessons learned, and how those have been used to influence the design of new programmes in practice.

It will also highlight the importance of understanding the programmes and their impacts within their broader context, with the housing market and sector comprising a complex ecosystem affected by the wider economic environment.

The session will be a call to action. The Agency’s role within housing and regeneration is unique. There’s an opportunity for the Agency to show what works (and just as importantly what doesn’t) in delivering housing and regeneration interventions. But there’s also more the Agency can do to strengthen the evidence around research methods. The session will invite further conversation with experts in the field to help continue to build this evaluation capability.