Evaluating organisational impact in adult social care in Scotland

Understanding the impact of adult social care services has long been a priority for service providers and policymakers in Scotland. Efforts have been driven by both organisational needs and national policy imperatives.

Following the Independent Review of Adult Social Care in Scotland (Feeley Review), recommendations emphasised a new approach to improving outcomes in adult social care, ensuring consistently positive experiences for service users. The Scottish Government and COSLA have committed to implementing these recommendations, including the establishment of a national framework for adult social care support and community health.

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) commissioned Matter of Focus to conduct a strategic review of how member organisations assess their impact. This review aimed to:

1. Identify common themes in approaches to measuring organisational impact.
2. Highlight best practices within the not-for-profit sector.
3. Provide insights relevant to national policy development in Scotland.

The findings align with a broader policy commitment to person-centred and outcome-focused approaches, as outlined in key legislation such as the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Social Care (Self-directed Support) Scotland Act 2013. These approaches advocate for care plans written in accessible language and incorporating both quantitative and qualitative measures, prioritising outcomes over mere outputs.

However, challenges persist. Current frameworks often fail to adequately capture the transformative outcomes of social care. The absence of widely adopted, standardised tools for evaluating organisational impact limits opportunities for sector-wide learning and consistent improvement. This gap is particularly critical given the overarching goal of enhancing individual and collective well-being through personalised support.

The review emphasised the importance of learning from the not-for-profit sector's experiences to inform national approaches. By integrating evidence of best practices into a cohesive strategy, Scotland can advance its vision for a more effective, person-centred social care system.