Evaluation & Research

We are experienced in delivering process and impact evaluations at both the formative and summative stage. Our evaluation credentials and expertise cover a wide range of subject areas within the broad themes of economic growth and social impact.

In addition to undertaking over 70 evaluations for local authorities, combined authorities, universities and the voluntary sector, we have also delivered a number of politically important and high profile evaluations for government departments including the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and the Youth Justice Board. 

Our evaluation experience has enabled us to develop signifciant and wide-ranging technical skills including expertise relating to theory of change/logic models, consultation with different groups and individuals (including vulnerable groups), quantitative and qualitative analysis, socio-economic impact assessment, cost benefit analysis and value for money, and report writing and dissemination. Mike Lane is a member of the UK Evaluation Society. 

We deliver evaluation for a wide range of thematic areas, with particular exprtise and experience relating to employability and skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship, business support and innovation, community and place-making, knowledge exchange, capital and infrastructure, net zero carbon, migration and asylum, and reducing reoffending/criminal justice.

The case studies below showcase our research and evaluation expertise.

Case Studies

Birmingham City Council, Evaluation of Youth Promise Plus

Youth Promise Plus (YPP) aimed to support 16,610 young people aged 15 to 29 in Birmingham and Solihull, who were not in education, employment or training (NEET), towards education, employment or training (EET) via tailored mentoring, specialist coaching and pathway training. Carney Green delivered a detailed evaluation of this complex project, which incorporated a large number of contracted providers and delivery partners. Our evaluation incorporated widespread research and consultation, including engagement with 302 participant young people and 139 non-participant young people; this involved a range of innovative and flexible approaches to consultation. In addition to providing interim and final evaluation reports (along with presentations of findings and emerging lessons at several events), we also delivered two separate key theme reports focused upon employer engagement and equalities/inclusivity respectively.

London Borough of Bromley, Evaluation of the Bromley Business Growth Programme

Carney Green recently completed a two-stage interim and final evaluation of the UKSPF-funded Bromley Business Growth Programme. The programme, which incorporated five separate projects delivered by different partner organisations, aimed to support business start-up, performance and growth in the borough. The multi-faceted evaluation included detailed reviews of all five projects as well as programme-level governance and management. It also included extensive analysis of performance data, consultation with project delivery representatives and participant businesses (via one-to-one interviews, case studies, focus groups and surveys), and assessment of the programme’s economic impact and value for money. A separate report was provided relatively early in the evaluation detailing specific recommendations for Bromley’s successor round of UKSPF funding – this heavily influenced the subsequent programme, which provided more intense and bespoke support for businesses. The evaluation concluded with an impact and recommendations-focused presentation to the Bromley Economic Partnership. 

“In addition to Carney Green providing a robust and informative process and impact evaluation of our UKSPF Business Growth Programme, they also put forward a range of practical recommendations which directly informed the Economic Development service’s future strategy for business support provision in the subsequent financial year and beyond. Mike engaged effectively with the various project delivery organisations and individuals involved in the programme, enabling him to develop a comprehensive understanding of performance and lessons learned. Carney Green also provided a robust assessment of the programme’s economic impact and value for money, including comparisons with a range of benchmarks. His final report and presentation were very well received by the Bromley Economic Partnership, senior Council leaders, our Delivery partners and project funders. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the team at Carney Green.”

Examples of other evaluation and research themes we have delivered projects within include the following:

  • Evaluations of various employment and skills projects, including for Coventry City Council, Kent County Council, Apprenticeships Norfolk and Birmingham City Council.
  • Several evaluations of entrepreneurship and business start-up interventions, including for the London Borough of Bromley, D2N2 Growth Hub, HM Prison Service and Barnsley MBC.
  • A series of business and innovation-focused evaluations including for the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Ravensbourne, the University of Derby, Birmingham City University and the University of Nottingham. 
  • Evaluations of projects focused on energy efficiency and carbon reduction, including for North East Lincolshire Council, the University of Derby and the University of Nottingham. 
  • Several evaluations of projects centred on the criminal justice system, including for the HM Prison Servoce, the Ministry of Justice and the Youth Justice Board.
  • Evaluations of the New Families Returns Process and the Early Legal Advice Project for the Home Office, as well as evaluations of several integration-focused projects, including two evaluations for Newham College.