Using the Social Return on Investment Framework to Evaluate Behavior Changes of Individuals Living With Learning Difficulties

Abstract

A number of scholars have raised concerns that many social marketers fail to consider the cost of their programs and its related savings. One solution is to use the social return on investment (SROI) framework, which is rooted in the theory of change. To demonstrate its possibilities, a single case study, focusing on a small social enterprise based in the north of England, was used. They apply social marketing (SM) principles to influence positive behavior changes in people living with learning difficulties. The study was limited to their Teens-n-Twenties program, which was designed to support individuals between the ages of 14 and 25 become more independent. The results demonstrate that the program had an SROI valued somewhere between 2.36:1 and 3.88:1 (i.e., for every pound invested, a value of between £2.36 and £3.88 was delivered in social worth). This evaluation was used as evidence of the program’s effectiveness in a continuing funding bid, and the organization was awarded just under £500 K from the United Kingdom’s Big Lottery Fund. The study contributes to the knowledge and practice of SM by presenting a possible solution to the domain’s concerns on how SM can be evaluated.

Best practices in evaluating work integration social enterprises for persons with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review

“…Finally, three studies (Owen et al, 2015; Shaw, 2018; Vieta et al, 2015) employed a methodology known as SROI to identify the financial benefits of operating WISE. The SROI approach is typically applied in a case study approach whereby the economic value created by a particular enterprise is assessed.…”

“…Ultimately, each of these studies was able to report on value created relative to costs for the WISE under review. For example, Shaw (2018) demonstrated a social return on investment of almost four pounds for each pound invested, with savings calculated by monetizing the costs associated with participants' ability to travel independently, reductions in challenging behaviour, and other self‐management features. Two other (Canadian) studies each reported similarly positive savings.…”

Accounting for Emotional Value: A Review in Disability Organizations

“…Self-regulation of behaviors 17,25,26 Self-reported level of perceived change (17,25) Cost of counseling sessions (17,25) Improvement in family/social relations and decrease in feeling isolated 1,2,7,8,9,11,13,15,16,17,20,21,22,23,24,26,28,29 Self-reported level of perceived change (13,16,24); new contacts and social network participation (2,8,11,17,21,22); assessment using loneliness scale ( 11)…”

“…Improvement in purpose and life satisfaction/Feeling happy 4, 8, 9, 11 Self-reported level of perceived improvement in life satisfaction (8,9,11) Health-Adjusted Life Years metrics: QALYs or Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) or Value of Statistical Life Year (VOSLY) (4,9); cost of counseling sessions (8,9) Feelings of dignity, respect, involvement, inclusion 6,7,11,15,20,28 Self-reported level of perceived change (6,28); index of community involvement (11) Value of a donation ( 6); cost of diversity and disability awareness training (15,28) Families/carers Reduction in worry, stress and/or anxiety 3,5,8,9,11,13,14,19,24,26,27,28,29 Self-reported level of perceived change (3,8,9,13,14,19,24,26,27,28,29); data from the literature about decreased probability of suffering mental health issues ( 5); assessment using General Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D) ( 11)…”

“…Cost of physical and mental treatment services to achieve the same effect (3,8,9,14,24,26,27,28); cost of medical services saved (5,13,29) Improvement in family relationships 3,9,10,13,17,19,21,22,25,27,28 Self-reported level of perceived change (3,9,10,13,17,19,21,22,25,27,28) Cost of counseling sessions or courses to recover a family relationship (3,9,10,21,25); cost of doctor visits saved (10); partial cost of bringing up a child (19); average family spend on social activities, recreation, culture or holidays (13,17,27,28) Improvement in social life 3, 9, 16 Self-reported level of perceived change (3,9); use of validated scales (31-item DEMQOL-proxy, 19-item Approaches to Dementia questionnaire) ( 16)…”