European Social Fund in England

Evaluation - Introduction

Why do we need to evaluate ESF?

The European Commission requires that all member states evaluate programmes funded by ESF. This is to assess whether the ESF programme is achieving its objectives and successfully reaching its target groups. The evaluation also provides essential evidence to improve the way ESF works in actually getting people back into employment or into further training or improving their skills. Such feedback is used by those developing and delivering the programme.

The ESF evaluation team

The Evaluation Team is based in the Jobseekers and Skills Division, which is part of the Work Welfare and Equality Directorate of the DWP and they are located in Sheffield. We are independent from the ESF Division but we do work very closely with them. The team are Tim Willis and Caroline Berry. Statistical support is provided by Helen Woods and Martin Moran who are also based in DWP Jobseekers and Skills Division.

What do we do?

• We are responsible for developing and delivering the evaluation strategy for the ESF Operational Programme 2007 - 2013 in England.
• We analyse monitoring and survey data, draft reports, and manage externally commissioned evaluation.
• In addition, we feed emerging results from evaluation and monitoring into the work of the England Monitoring Committee to inform decision-making.
• Our work is overseen by the UK Evaluation Standing Group.

Where do we get information from?

Monitoring information is drawn from the Project Application Forms and the Project Closure Forms, which is analysed on a quarterly basis and provides evidence on performance. Independent research organisations are commissioned to carry out research projects on our behalf. For example, a key piece of research is a survey of ESF beneficiaries. This provides evidence on the longer term outcomes for beneficiaries. A number of ad hoc research projects on various aspects of ESF are also commissioned, for example, studies of Global Grants, multiple disadvantage and Companies who benefit from ESF.

What is the Evaluation Standing Group (ESG)?

The ESG is a committee set up to oversee the evaluation of all ESF programmes in the UK. It has representation from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, as well as the Evaluation Team, the ESF Division and the Commission. The aim of the group is to promote consistency and quality in the way that ESF programmes are evaluated and to share good practice in evaluation methodologies.

Where can you get further information?

If you would like further information on ESF evaluation please contact one of the team.

David Drew

Tel: 0114 2098110

Email: david.drew@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Tim Willis

Tel: 0114 2098 397

Email: Tim.Willis@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Caroline Berry

Tel: 0114 2098 599

Email: Caroline.Berry@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Postal Address

DWP ESF Evaluation Team

Kings Court

80 Hanover Way

Sheffield

S3 7UF