The outcomes matrix aims to capture all the things — the freedoms, changes, advantages and benefits — that a person needs to lead a full and happy life. These are covered in nine outcome areas, which break down into more specific outcomes, and corresponding measures, both for the individual, and for communities and society as a whole.
As such, the matrix offers investors, intermediaries and front-line organisations a single tool through which to plan, measure and learn about their social impact. It looks to develop common ground and language regarding impact assessment throughout the social sector.
The outcomes matrix was developed with Big Society Capital and can be viewed on their website here. Below is a table listing the high level outcomes, with download links to the more detailed pdfs for the different outcome areas.
The matrix provides an overall framework for outcomes in relation to beneficiaries. Each cell within the matrix houses a list of the high level outcomes that can be achieved within that outcome area for the defined beneficiary group. These high level outcomes break down further into measures, and the specific measurement points that can be used to create indicators and collect data.
The matrix thus provides:
- an outcomes mapping tool
The activities of a single social purpose organisation will likely spread across multiple cells within the matrix. The shape of this spread is in effect an outcomes map or description of the outcomes the organisation is achieving. This can be helpful for definition and classification purposes, as well as for sorting data. At the investor level, as these maps are based on a common framework, they can be collated to give investors a sense of where they are active, and what they are facilitating across their portfolio. (N.B. This does not support the aggregation of outcomes, which cannot meaningfully be added unless truly like-for-like numbers and contexts are involved, and issues of attribution and double-counting have been robustly dealt with.)
- an outcomes exploration tool
By situating the organisation’s outcomes within a complete field of human and environmental outcome areas, the outcomes matrix encourages organisations to think through what they are doing holistically. This can help organisations identify areas where they are perhaps achieving significant outcomes, but not thinking to capture them with their measurement system. It can also serve to reveal other areas that are important for their beneficiaries, but are not being addressed, and thereby suggest opportunities for expanding services, or partnering with other organisations to tackle the root problem.
- assurance of the beneficiary perspective
The use of outcomes as the essential structuring principle means that the outcomes matrix is rooted firmly in the beneficiary perspective. Use of the matrix thereby ensures that while, in operational terms, an organisation may be primarily occupied with pursuing activities and delivering services, these are always referred back to the outcomes being generated for people, and the real change these people are experiencing.
- a resource for formulating measurement systems
The high-level outcomes break down into lists of more granular measures and measurement points. Though not exhaustive, these lists aim to cover the key measurable details that are most commonly material to and indicative of change. Thus by working through the matrix, organisations and investors should be able to identify the outcomes they intend to achieve, and to home in on what kinds of measurements they will need to make to evidence this.
The Outcomes Matrix was developed with Big Society Capital with research input from NPC,
SROI Network, and Triangle (developers of the Outcomes Star). The process was based on extensive desk research of the existing outcomes, indicators and measures that have been developed by specialists in the many fields covered by the matrix, as well as direct consultation with practictioners and front-line organisations. It aims to represent best practice in the understanding, articulation and measurement of outcomes, and to develop common ground and language across the social sector.
This version of the matrix is in a relatively static format, but a more dynamic web interface, including functionality to allow users to tailor the matrix to the specific beneficiaries they work with, is in development.
| |
Individuals |
Community, sector & society |
1. Employment, training and education
see further detail |
- Has developed the necessary soft skills and attitude through employment, education or training (including social skills, attitude and motivation)
- Has developed the necessary technical (hard) skills through employment, education or training (including literacy and numeracy, job search skills and job-specific qualifications)
- Has found a way to address barriers to employment, education or training (including childcare, disability or benefits issues)
- Is in suitable employment, education or training and has the on-going support to maintain it if necessary
|
- High quality employment, training and education within a healthy local economy
- Public policy and expenditure that supports good quality employment, training and education
- Strong corporate and institutional governance
- Strong public awareness and participation in matters relating to education and employment, and good sectoral understanding of how to address them
|
2. Housing and local facilities
see further detail |
- Has a secure and suitable place to live in fit condition
- Has access to local shops, transport, facilities and recreation
- Has the skills needed to manage and keep a place to live
- Is motivated and able to live as independently as possible, and has the on-going support to maintain that if necessary
|
- Provision of adequate, affordable accommodation
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports good quality housing and local facilities
- Strong public awareness and participation in matters relating to housing, and good sectoral understanding of how to address them
- Sufficient accessible and affordable transport, utilities and local facilities
|
3. Income and financial inclusion
see further detail |
- Has access to appropriate financial advice, products or services
- Has sufficient sustainable income, including benefits if appropriate
- Is managing finances well
|
- Ethical responsible and suitable financial services and products are available to all
- Income equality
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports fair income and financial inclusion
- Strong public awareness and participation in matters relating to financial inclusion, and good sectoral understanding of how to achieve it
- Strong public financial capability, literacy and management, and understanding of legal matters
|
4. Physical health
see further detail |
- Enjoys good support and quality of life in relation to any long-term conditions
- Has a positive experience of healthcare and attitude toward own physical health
- Looks after physical health, maintains a healthy lifestyle and keeps safe
- Makes use of the health services to recover from episodes of ill-health or following injury
|
- Equal access to good quality, safe health and social care services
- Healthy and physically active people and communities
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports good physical health
- Strong public awareness and participation in matters relating to physical health, and advanced sectoral understanding of what makes for good health
|
5. Mental health and well-being
see further detail |
- Enjoys good support in relation to any mental health problems
- Has a positive experience of care and a good understanding of own mental health and emotional well-being
- Has a sense of purpose, engages in meaningful and fulfilling activity, and has aspirations for the future
- Has confidence, emotional balance and is resilient in the face of difficulties
|
- Equal access to good quality mental health services
- Good mental health and well-being
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports good mental health and wellbeing
- Strong public awareness and participation in matters relating to mental health and well-being, and good sectoral understanding of how to optimise it
|
6. Family, friends and relationships
see further detail |
- Enjoys positive and constructive relationships with others
- Family, partners, friends and carers of those with specific needs are supported
- Feels and is socially connected
- Has the skills, strategy and support to maintain and manage relationships
|
- A resilient society with meaningful connections
- Good quality services for family, friends and relationships
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports families, friends and relationships
- Strong public awareness of the value of families, friends and relationships, and good sectoral understanding of how to build them
|
7. Citizenship and community
see further detail |
- Does not discriminate against others, and is not discriminated against, on grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability
- Feels they have a stake in their community and society at large, and makes a conscious contribution
- Has a positive perception of local community and area
- Stays within the law and has addressed any offending behaviour
- Understands their rights and responsibilities as a citizen
|
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports citizenship and communities
- Strong and safe communities
- Strong public participation in citizenship and communities, and good social cohesion
|
8. Arts, heritage, sport and faith
see further detail |
- Develops cultural skills and confidence in areas that interest them
- Finds meaning and fulfillment from engaging with arts, heritage, sport and faith
|
- High quality, affordable, accessible and inclusive cultural services available to all
- Public and corporate policy and expenditure that supports the arts, heritage, sport and faith
- Strong public awareness of and participation in the arts, heritage, sports and faith
|
9. Conservation of the natural environment
see further detail |
- Accesses and enjoys the natural environment and heritage
- Understands the importance of and reduces personal impact on the natural environment
|
- Conservation of Natural Spaces
- Recycling, waste and sustainable water use
- Strong public awareness of and engagement with the natural environment, and good sectoral understanding as to how to sustain it
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable buildings and transport
- Sustainable energy
|
