Inverclyde Council trialled a new model to address child poverty – a whole systems, whole family approach that integrated four pilot projects to deliver coordinated support.

Although positive outcomes were already being observed, the Council needed a robust evaluation to understand the collective impact of the model and make informed decisions on future delivery and investment.

Why it’s important

Nearly one in four children in Inverclyde live in poverty. The Council understood that single-service interventions working in isolation were not sufficient to tackle the complex and interconnected needs of families. This led to the creation of the Inverclyde Approach, designed to coordinate and bring services together around the family.

Our approach

Urban Foresight was commissioned to evaluate the collective impact of four pilot projects. We designed and implemented a whole systems evaluation, moving beyond traditional metrics to capture the model’s full impact. Our key actions included:

• Establishing a shared vision: we began by co-designing a theory of change with all partners, delivering the first visual map of how the collective inputs, activities, and impacts fit together.
• Creating a cohesive framework: we developed a tailored evaluation framework to monitor and synthetise data from all projects, streamlining the process and ensuring a joined-up understanding of the model’s performance.
• Capturing the full picture: we synthesised quantitative and qualitative data to provide a holistic view. This included introducing innovative methods like ripple effect mapping to visualise wider, often unseen, impacts.
• Embedding continuous learning: we facilitated monthly evaluation meetings and shared insights, creating a dedicated space for project leads to build trust, share learnings, and adapt their approach in real-time.

Results and impact

The evaluation demonstrated that the Inverclyde Approach is an effective strategy for tackling the complex factors of child poverty, delivering tangible benefits for families and driving systemic change across services. By identifying the enablers and barriers of the approach, we delivered a blueprint for success – a practical model for applying the Inverclyde Approach more widely and delivering long-lasting change.

How we can help you?

Urban Foresight specialises in evaluating complex, multi-faceted projects that bring together diverse partners from the public, third, and private sectors to tackle systemic challenges. Our credibility is built on delivering actionable evidence that enables clients to make informed decisions, secure investment, and implement change.

Similar projects include tackling health inequalities in Wales, applying systems thinking to build a healthier Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, and unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs to power UK growth.

If you need a partner to evaluate a complex initiative and evidence its true impact, get in touch at hello@urbanforesight.com to speak with our team.