Evidence-based impact measurement

Impact & Evidence Framework

The Youth Worker Hub uses the Distance-Travelled Methodology to measure real capability growth across six domains — producing the kind of evidence commissioners and funders actually need.

6 Capability Areas

Each young person is scored from 1 to 10 across six domains. These are the dimensions of wellbeing most relevant to youth work practice and most demanded by funders.

Distance-Travelled Scoring

The distance-travelled approach measures change over time, not a single snapshot. Here is how the four-stage process works.

1

Baseline Survey

At the start of a programme or first contact, a youth worker completes a baseline Impact Compass survey scoring the young person on each of the 6 capabilities from 1 to 10.

2

Follow-Up Surveys

Periodic follow-up surveys are conducted throughout the programme. Each survey captures the current score across all six domains, building a longitudinal picture.

3

Delta Calculation

The platform automatically calculates the delta (change) between the baseline and the most recent survey for each capability. A positive delta represents measurable growth.

4

Trajectory Classification

A trajectory flag is auto-assigned: "Improving" if total delta is +6 or greater, "Needs Support" if -6 or lower, and "Stable" otherwise. This surfaces priority young people instantly.

+6 or above
Improving
Total delta across all capabilities
Between -5 and +5
Stable
No significant movement in total delta
-6 or below
Needs Support
Flags the young person for immediate attention

Impact Compass

The Impact Compass visualises each young person's six-domain profile as a radar chart. At a glance, a youth worker can see where strengths lie and where targeted support is needed.

At the organisation level, the Compass aggregates across the entire cohort — showing which capabilities are improving across the caseload, and which domains need programme-level intervention.

Individual radar per young person
Organisation-wide aggregate view
Funder-ready PDF chart exports
Trend lines across multiple surveys
Self Drive
7.5
Emotional Regulation
6
Social Understanding
8
Collaboration
6.5
Solution Skills
7
Personal Responsibility
5.5

Sample cohort average scores (1–10)

Funder-Ready Reports

Generate branded PDF and CSV exports in seconds, containing exactly what commissioners and funders ask for.

Cohort Analysis

Aggregate data grouped by referral type, demographic, and intake category

Narrative Summaries

Auto-generated written summaries of progress per young person and per cohort

Distance-Travelled Data

Baseline to exit scores with capability deltas and trajectory classifications

Cohort categories supported out of the box:

NEETCare-experiencedSpecial Educational NeedsEarly HelpOpen AccessReferral

See the methodology in action

Sign up and run your first Impact Compass survey today.

Questions about safeguarding or our approach? safeguarding@youthworkerhub.com