Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
There are particular data challenges where evaluations of small-scale innovations make it statistically difficult to...
Conclusion
There are particular data challenges where evaluations of small-scale innovations make it statistically difficult to understand the impact of schemes on particular population groups. We received evidence from the Traveller Movement, a population disproportionately represented in children’s social care, highlighting risks that lack of precision in monitoring impact on the distinct Traveller, Gypsy and Roma populations masks the different experiences of these groups.33 This mirrors other localised challenges we have seen around monitoring groups which are large in a specific area, but small nationally. The Department agrees that there are issues around what should be done locally monitoring specific communities and what needs to be done centrally, and accepts the need to be alert to that challenge.34
Government Response Summary
By improving the quality and transparency of data collected, the department will have a stronger evidence base to improve policy design and evaluation and quicker identification and resolution of sector-wide issues. Sharing local authority data more widely will help embed a culture of learning and evaluation.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3.4 By improving the quality, and transparency of the data collected, the department will have a stronger evidence base to improve policy design and evaluation, giving a better understanding of the impact of policies, and the short and longer-term outcomes for children and families. More timely data will also enable quicker identification and resolution of sector wide or local authority specific issues. By sharing local authority data more widely, the department hopes to embed a culture of learning and evaluation, to help everyone improve their practice.