1. Working (and playing!) together to
set and measure outcomes
Go Play
Rachel Cowper – Inspiring Scotland
Rachel@inspiringscotland.org.uk
Steven Marwick – Evaluation Support Scotland
Steven@evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk

2. 1. Set outcomes
Scotland should be
healthier, wealthier,
greener, meaner
and sexier

3. 2. Consult on how to deliver
Listen to
my idea! We’re doing
Listen to my this already What is he
idea! talking
about?

4. Sexier Scotland Strategy
3. Agree a
delivery
plan

5. 4. Look for evidence
Looks good
to me! Where does
this lead?
I’m not so
sure!

6. Evaluate your plan
Wealthier  10%
Healthier  5%
Greener  7.5%
Meaner  8%
Sexier  43%

8. What’s wrong with this?...
• Right outcomes – wrong problem
• Ignoring the voice of the people with the
answers
• Doesn’t tell us what works for whom in
what circumstances

9. Feel the need for images or something interesting on the screen
when we talk through the case studies – what does anyone else think?

10. Developing the framework
• Worked with a portfolio of play projects
– Small group work
– Workshops
– Portfolio event
– Surveyed electronically
– Compared outcomes and indicators from charities
with the model
• Got feedback from others
• Used existing literature reviews to identify evidence
for the need and outcomes

11. What are the barriers / causes that mean
play does not happen?
What are the effects of these barriers?

13. Children claim Outcomes for children, families Benefits for society
Reduce barriers to playing freely their right to play and communities Links to National Outcomes
Activities and outcomes for people who Activities and outcomes for people who Outcomes from any form of play
influence the general context influence a specific context
Children’s lives Improved skills in
Increased are enriched risk assessment
Those organisational
working with capacity
Promotion,
children – Increased Increased
Resources and Our young people
Influencers Increased teachers, confidence and creativity and
ideas, egs of Increased Children are successful
Policy makers awareness play and self esteem problem solving
good practice awareness of learners, confident
Funders of the early year
(though 1:1, the benefits of individuals,
Teacher benefits of workers, out Facilitate play
websites, free and outdoor Play rangers Increased effective
trainers free and of school
newsletters and play Play sessions resilience contributors and
Professional outdoor play clubs,
articles) responsible
bodies / childminders,
Conferences Training Increased skills citizens
Support youth
Talks Networking and knowledge Outcomes from play chosen
agencies workers,
Influencing Policies and events support play and
social work, Our children
conversations funding Conferences overcome
health have the best
Action climate barriers start in life and
providers
research and Key partners (learn how to Increased activity Improved physical
recognise are ready to
joint projects Planners and play) More play levels health
value of We value and succeed
Articles / designers
and support enjoy our built and
media work Housing Family
play Family play Increased More opportunities Increased ability to natural
Guidance and providers Parents
Police sessions confidence to to interact with be part of a social environment and
advice Grandparent
Encouragement allow children to others group protect it and
Increased Other enhance it for
Modelling play play freely Better play
recognition guardians future generations
Greater
of skills sets Improved
The public Make better use appreciation of
and Language and We have
The media of natural and nature and the
attitudes to communication improved the
other places in environment
support play skills life chances for
the community
Play anywhere! children, young
Outcomes for families people and
We live longer, families at risk
Inspired to healthier lives
change practice
Local and provision Reduced family Improved family
Projects to
authority stress relationships
improve play
Schools, out
spaces Improved space
of school
and places to
clubs
play
Outcomes for communities
Consult or Adults in the Increased voice
involve in community and ownership Stronger Strong, resilient
design or connections Diverted from anti and supportive
Children
running of Greater between people in social behaviour communities,
play spaces/ acceptance of the community where people take
projects and attitudes to responsbility for
children playing Greater their own actions
Improved image of
outside appreciation of and how they
young people
space and place affect others

14. What next?
• Play projects are evaluating … and
learning … and improving
• Inspiring Scotland and SG using pack to
help improve understanding of play
• Sharing with others – Scottish
Government, Inspiring Scotland and
ESS on dissemination roadshow
• National event 8 December

15. Lessons
• Pack is the starting point for evaluation
and “domain for debate”
• Can build outcomes from the bottom up
• Can get broad agreement if you bring
people with you
• Need to have many interests involved
• Became aware of unexpected outcomes
(not in a box)

16. More information and the pack
www.inspiringscotland.org.uk
www.evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk