Every piece of work is different, tailored to the client and reflecting their aspirations and realities. So, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all model of working, and are not wedded to one approach.
We are happy to undertake small and rapid pieces of work as well as more substantial projects.
You can hire Colebrooke Social Consulting for a few hours or a few months. Our charging structure is simple and transparent.
Methods
For all projects the thinking is informed by a blend of rigorous methods and techniques drawn from a range of fields – research and evaluation techniques, literature reviews and evidence scans, and different types of data analysis – drilling down to the most important questions.
To do this we draw on established or adapted frameworks from implementation and evaluation research and analysis – finding the best-fit method for the particular question to answer.
For all projects the thinking is informed by a blend of rigorous methods and techniques drawn from a range of fields
We start with one or more structured conversations with key individuals or groups, building up understanding and a series of core questions to be answered and areas to be investigated.
We might talk to executives, staff, service beneficiaries, and system partners to form a well-rounded picture.
We might look at data you or others collect.
Give your project the advantage of our extensive experience of effectiveness and improvement in the social sector
After a familiarisation stage we will develop a written plan with you, agree the work programme, the time required and its costs before you commit to any long-term work.
Deborah Ghate leads all projects, and will pull in other colleagues with complementary expertise where required.
If you work with us, there’s a wide range of potential methods that may suit, but some of the methods we use include:
Evidence Basing
Evidence Basing
Reviewing the wider evidence for something new you want to do, or something you’re already doing, to help find the formula for most effective implementation or improvement
Theory of change development
Developing a realistic theory of change that visualises how you’ll get from inception to outcomes and links to real-world implementation
Implementation planning
Developing a clear plan taking in all relevant multiple dimensions and drivers of effective implementation
System-mapping
Visualising the wider system that shapes how you work, assessing how well you work within it, evaluating how effectively you leverage (or could leverage) partnerships with others in the system, strategising for wider systems influence
Team and partnership working
Carrying out listening exercises, reviewing the skills sets, assessing the extent of shared values and priorities, pinpointing strengths and gaps in your team style and mode of working
Evaluation and review
Assessing what you’re doing or what you’ve done, setting up ongoing metrics, supporting internal evaluation or sourcing and commissioning external evaluation or research
Data systems and data analysis
Identifying what data in what format would help you make better, data-driven decisions and sourcing help to set up systems for collection and analysis
Space Holder
a different kind of consultancy to
support the social sector
