Maria English, Co-founder and CEO of Impact Lab, dives into the intricate world of social investment in New Zealand. She discusses the importance of data-driven approaches to measure the social return on investment for charitable funding. Through compelling case studies, Maria highlights the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations and emphasizes the need for tailored support strategies. The conversation also touches on the role of Integrated Data Infrastructure in assessing long-term impacts and the pressing social welfare challenges in Aotearoa.
Measuring social return on investment (SROI) highlights the financial and societal benefits of funding social services, promoting effective resource allocation.
Building trust and flexibility in social service approaches improves outcomes for clients, acknowledging their unique circumstances and promoting supportive relationships.
Deep dives
The Importance of Social Investment
Social investment focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of welfare systems by evaluating the financial and societal returns on funding for charities and social services. This approach emphasizes understanding how investments contribute not only to individual wellbeing but also to broader cost savings within healthcare and other government spending. By measuring social return on investment (SROI), organizations can demonstrate the overall value generated from each dollar spent, promoting the idea that funding social services could ultimately save taxpayer money in other areas, such as reduced hospitalizations. This perspective on social investment is essential for making informed decisions about resource allocation, especially when funding is limited.
Data-Driven Approaches to Social Services
Organizations like Impact Lab leverage data to enhance the impact of social service providers and charities. By collaborating with these groups, they analyze the differences these services make in communities, linking their metrics with government and academic data. One example highlighted was a community housing provider that saw a drastic 92% reduction in hospitalizations among its tenants after implementing a tailored housing model for those with mental health challenges. This data-driven strategy not only validates the effectiveness of social interventions but also helps organizations secure funding by clearly demonstrating the benefits of their work.
The Role of Trust and Flexibility in Services
Successful social service interventions require a balance of trust and flexibility in their approach to client needs. Building relationships with clients, particularly those with complex lives, is crucial, as many may have experienced trauma and distrust in traditional services. For instance, charities that adapted their offerings based on client feedback and needs, while maintaining supportive relationships, were able to achieve notable outcomes. This approach underscores the necessity of recognizing the individual circumstances of clients, rather than adhering to rigid systems that may overlook specific needs.
Systemic Challenges in Accessing Services
Many social services and welfare systems present significant barriers for individuals seeking assistance, often due to cumbersome processes and requirements. For example, homeless individuals may find it nearly impossible to access income or housing support due to obstacles such as lack of communication devices, long wait times, and intimidating environments. Some organizations have recognized these challenges and have started integrating services directly into community hubs, making help more accessible and less daunting. This shift aims to reorganize service delivery around the lives of those in need, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a more compassionate approach to welfare.
Our social welfare system is complicated, expensive - and incredibly necessary. How do we know when it’s working properly? And when it’s not? ImpactLab CEO Maria English joins Bernard to unpack the data and evidence-based metrics they use to assess the “social return on investment” of social services funding, and how the company uses their insights to help make Aotearoa a better place.
