Evaluation Services Unit Delivering high-quality, affordable evaluation services across government enquiriesevaluationservices.gov.uk 2 Summary Were a Civil Service team that operates like an in-house consultancy, delivering evaluation
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Evaluation Services Unit Delivering high-quality, affordable evaluation services across government
enquiries@evaluationservices.gov.uk<br>
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2 Summary We’re a Civil Service team that operates like an in-house consultancy, delivering evaluation services to customers across government and charging them to recover our costs.
Launched in 2024, we’ve already delivered more than 10 projects for departments and their ALBs, including Home Office, MHCLG and the College of Policing.
If you'd like to discuss a project, please email us at enquiries@evaluationservices.gov.uk About us Our mission: we make it quicker, easier and more affordable for the Civil Service to deliver high-quality evaluations.
What we offer: we provide end-to-end evaluation support, from advice on scoping and design through to full delivery, including process and impact evaluations.
Who delivers it: we’ve assembled a team of experienced specialists able to design and deliver high-quality evaluations across government.
Who we work with: we work with all government departments and ALBs. We’re partnered with the Cabinet Office’s Evaluation Task Force to ensure we're joined up and adding maximum value to wider efforts.
How to commission us: we're part of the Civil Service so there's no lengthy procurement process if you'd like to commission us. It can take as little as a week to scope and agree work.<br>
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3 College of Policing Home Office Regulator for Social Housing They were really easy to procure and flexible, delivering quality products on time” The ESU were clear about what they needed, engaged well with stakeholders and participants and we got what we commissioned on time and to a high standard” We were very pleased with the quality of the outputs we received, and the final evaluation plan helped us gain approval to proceed with the evaluation” What our customers say about us<br>
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Our services Feasibility and scoping studies: advice on whether and how an evaluation can be done, considering data, resources, and timing.
Evaluation design: help to develop a clear theory of change and select proportionate methods to answer key questions.
Commissioning support: advice on how to commission evaluations and support with quality assurance during the commissioning process. Evaluation scoping and design Depending on your needs, we can take responsibility for delivering all stages of an evaluation or concentrate on agreed elements only. Process: examines how a policy is delivered, often using interviews, surveys, case studies and monitoring data. When combined with an impact evaluation, tells you why a policy is making a difference.
Impact: assesses if a policy is making a difference, often using RCTs and QEDs (e.g. difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity).
Value for money: analyses efficiency by comparing costs with outcomes, using cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness analysis. Evaluation delivery<br>
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5 Our team We’ve built a team of evaluation experts from academia, consultancy, and the Civil Service
Our unit combines permanent staff, secondees, and freelance experts, giving us a broad mix of skills and perspectives, and the flexibility to meet customer needs. Expertise We’re skilled in all evaluation methods, including RCTs, quasi-experimental designs, and qualitative methods — enabling us to design and deliver any kind of evaluation project. We have years of experience delivering evaluations across a wide range of policy areas, from early feasibility studies to large-scale impact assessments. Experience We adapt our methods, approaches, and staffing to fit different contexts, priorities, and budgets — ensuring evaluations are proportionate and practical. Flexibility<br>
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6 How you can work with us We work with all central government departments and Arms Length Bodies
We’re happy to work with any kind of government team, whether it’s policy, analysis, digital, delivery or any other function. The commissioning process typically begins with a conversation to clarify your needs. It can take as little as a week to scope and agree work. We schedule a call to understand your needs We deploy a team of experienced staff to begin delivering for you We agree an approach covering scope, timelines, deliverables, and costs We carry out the agreed work, giving you regular updates and collaborating with you to adjust plans if needed We provide a high-quality output, with sharp analysis and practical advice We ask for your feedback and discuss lessons learned You receive a clear plan designed around your needs Initial chat Tailored proposal Agreement Kick-off Delivery Reporting Feedback<br>
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Electronic Video Recording 7 7 Problem Outcome Evaluation results are informing the wider roll out of EVR across policing. This will help ensure that future uptake is properly evaluated and will shed light on how best to embed the technology in other police forces. Dorset Police initially trialled the use of EVR which showed promising results. The College of Policing wanted to understand the impact of this intervention in a different context and learn about potential scalability. We designed an evaluation plan which included an impact, implementation and process and cost evaluation. We delivered this evaluation in Avon & Somerset over the 3-month trial period. The College of Policing asked us to deliver a randomised control trial to understand the use of a video call (EVR) instead of an in-person police visit on police efficiency, effectiveness and victim engagement. Our work<br>
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Tackling Organised Exploitation 8 8 We produced an assessment of the scenarios in which the AI tools worked best, an analysis of their impact to date, and recommendations for their future rollout. The TOEX programme developed two new AI tools for use in policing. The Home Office needed to understand their potential impact and cost effectiveness ahead of any further adoption of the tools. We designed and delivered a rapid evaluation based on qualitative interviews with police officers from 10 police forces, back-end data from the AI tools, and detailed cost data. The Home Office asked us to deliver a rapid evaluation to better understand the potential impacts of two new tools developed by the Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme (TOEX). Problem Outcome Our work<br>
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9 9 We will produce a comprehensive report with clear findings, develop a best practice toolkit to guide delivery, and lead engagement sessions with local authorities to disseminate findings. Sanctuary Schemes are delivered inconsistently across England. MHCLG need clarity on variation and an improved understanding of best practice. We designed and are delivering a process evaluation of scheme delivery. This includes in-depth case studies with 8 local authorities and a national survey of all LAs in England to map provision. The Ministry for Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) commissioned us to evaluate the delivery of Sanctuary Schemes in England, a form of safe accommodation enabling survivors of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes, where it is safe and their choice. Case Study Sanctuary Schemes in England Problem Outcome Our work<br>
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e enquiries@evaluationservices.gov.uk
li linkedin.com/company/open-innovation-team
w gov.uk/government/organisations/open-innovation-team Contact us If you have an evaluation challenge and you think we could help, get in touch<br>
