Clients
No matter how careful the analysis is, sooner or later every organisation gets to a point where the available information is not sufficient to make a decision. We have helped the organisations below by making full sense of, and keeping true to information.

Southwark Council
Expanded entitlement to free meals
In 2023-24, we evaluated the process and impact of giving free meals to pupils in secondary schools. This initiative targeted those just above the government’s eligibility threshold. Read our report

Brain in Hand
Returns on investment of digital support
Brain in Hand supports people with executive function difficulties through a combination of simple digital tools and practical human support. In 2021-22, we estimated the costs and benefits of this digital support system. Read more

Department for Education
Small rural primary schools
In 2019, we visited over 20 schools in rural England to find out about the challenges and opportunities they face. The focus was on finances, teacher development, and school improvement. Read our report

Welsh Government
Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill
In 2017, we reviewed the regulatory impact assessment for this Bill. The Finance Committee discussed our results at stage 2 of the Bill’s passage through the National Assembly for Wales. Read our report; more

Department for Education
Strategic School Improvement Fund
In 2017, we evaluated the process for round one of this fund, whose aim was to improve school performance and pupil attainment. We did a document review, a school survey, and interviews with staff. Read our report

NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit
Two dynamic purchasing systems to provide: digital, and system transformation services
Between 2017 and 2022, we were part of two frameworks that support the Unit with information strategy, business change, and user experience analysis. This includes clinical commissioning groups, general practices, and social care.

College of Policing
Outcome assessment of a police welfare service
In 2018, we assessed the outcomes of an independent welfare service. This included quantitative analysis of wellbeing questionnaires before and after participating in the service, and interviews with service users and staff. Read more

Rotherham Borough Council
Cost efficiency of youth offending team
In 2017, we analysed the relationship between spending, and outcomes achieved by the youth offending team in Rotherham. This was between 2010-11 and 2014-15. Our findings helped understand value for money. Check our maps

HM Government
Research marketplace
Between 2018 and 2022, we were a supplier on this dynamic purchasing system. Our services include education and children’s services; health and social care; criminal justice; and employment policies.

Department for Education
Call for evidence on changes to sex and relationship education
In 2018, we analysed a random sample of 750 parents and 750 young persons out of over 18,000 online responses to the call. We did this by using content analysis. Our work helped to develop new guidance for schools. Read our report; more

Nottinghamshire County Council
Outcome monitoring in early help children’s services
In 2016-17, we evaluated the outcomes of 13 to 17 year olds before and after participating in early help children’s services, including strengths and difficulties, mental wellbeing, and family environment. Read our report

Department for Education
The costs of providing levels 4 and 5 in further education
In 2017, we estimated the funding and spending required for qualifications such as higher apprenticeships. This was based on interviews with providers. Our focus was on science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). Read our report

National Children’s Bureau
Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP)
Between 2018 and 2020, we were on the list of evaluation and research preferred suppliers for this partnership. Our services include implementation, process, impact, and economic evaluations; quantitative research; and mapping studies.

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit
Framework agreement for the provision of evidence reviews, public health support and service evaluation
Between 2017 and 2021, we were part of the framework supporting the Unit with evidence reviews, Public Health analysis, formative and summative evaluations, surveys, and health economics.

Department for Education
Education and children’s social care dynamic purchasing system
From 2017 to 2020, we will provide education and training, and social work and related services as part of this framework, which supports the work of the Department for Education.

Waltham Forest
Specialist professional services
Between 2018 and 2022, we were part of the framework providing health, social care, and education consultancy to Waltham Forrest and Redbridge, including services for adults and children.

Children’s Commissioner
Measuring children’s health vulnerabilities
In 2017, we reviewed over 200 estimates relevant to physical and mental health, and special educational needs and disabilities, including statistical datasets and peer reviewed journals. Read our report; our spreadsheets; more

Action for Children
Children in need
In 2017, we looked into the characteristics of over one million referrals to children’s services that resulted in no further action, including those that got referred multiple times. Read our report; more

College of Policing
Systematic map of vulnerability
In 2016, we reviewed the international evidence on how police officers can get better at spotting signs, and understanding risks in relation to vulnerable people

Dartington Social Research Unit
Costing tool
In 2016, in partnership with Dartington Social Research Unit, we developed a software tool to estimate the unit costs of programmes and projects in line with the Green Book. Read more

Department for Education
Children’s services: spending and delivery
In 2016-17, working with the Early Intervention Foundation, we did statistical analysis, and interviews to understand spending by children’s services. This was in the context of the spending review. Read our report; check our maps

Big Lottery Fund
Economic analysis of Realising Ambition
In 2015-17, in partnership with Dartington Social Research Unit, Aldaba did economic analyses of the 25 projects sponsored by Realising Ambition, a programme that supports vulnerable young people. Read our report

Family Nurse Partnership
The economic case
Working with Dartington Social Research Unit, in 2014-17 we examined the economic case for this programme for young mums and their children. We also estimated numbers of cases for each nurse in various scenarios. Read our report

Impetus-PEF
Evaluation of charities that support young people through education, training and employment
In 2014-15, we supported Impetus-PEF to manage its investments. The aim was to build up the capacity of the third sector organisations under its portfolio based on evaluative information. Read our report; more

Buckinghamshire County Council
Evaluation of Prevention Matters
In 2014-15, in partnership with Apteligen and LG Futures, we managed the evaluation of Prevention Matters, a programme for vulnerable adults. Our focus was on interviews with users, and impact and cost-benefit analyses. Read our report

Department for Education
Children’s mental health
Dr Miguel Garcia-Sanchez, Director of Aldaba, is a member of the Department for Education’s Associate Pool. In 2015-17, Miguel and his team advised the Department on attainment gaps, children’s services spending, and mental health.

Department for Education
Closing the attainment gap
In 2015, we undertook research into the evidence available on the impact of funding on the attainment gap that exists between disadvantaged children and their peers. Read more

Cabinet Office, Project Oracle, NCVYS and Social Research Unit
Costing evaluation of Centre for Youth Impact’s early adopters
In partnership with the Social Research Unit, in 2014-15 we applied our costing approach to the early adopter organisations that are part of the Centre for Youth Impact. Read more

Communities and Local Government, and Locality
Strategic planning and cost benefit analyses for Our Place
Our Place is a £4.3 million programme that supports local areas to break new ground in service transformation. In 2015, we undertook the analyses required to put the programme in practice. Read more

Swansea City
Business case for the Prevention Budget
In 2015, we estimated the cost benefits of projects aimed at preventing negative outcomes across all age groups, including befriending, support to vulnerable young people, and family conferencing.

General Pharmaceutical Council
Logic model review
In 2015, Aldaba supported the review of the logic model for pharmacy regulation. The aim was to understand the links between the regulatory system for pharmacies and patient outcomes in the UK. Read more