Evaluating employability: understanding the impact of third sector interventions through the lens of social value

Christine Anne Reilly*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This paper considers whether social value evaluation might be a useful tool for third sector organisations (TSOs) to understand the impact of employability interventions. While employability as a concept has been adopted within strategies to support the unemployed into work there are long-held criticisms of the concept and how it has been operationalised, as well as of the content, delivery and measurement of employability interventions funded by Governments. A key criticism has been around the measurement of success and whether a focus on job outcomes limits policy makers’ ability to capture progress towards work. Set against a backdrop of the devolution of additional welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament, and a keenness of both the UK and Scottish Governments to apply social value in evaluating policy interventions, this paper considers the potential role of social value in helping policy makers and practitioners understand the impact of employability interventions and provide a strong evidence base for improving upon client experience and outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch in the Sociology of Work
Subtitle of host publicationEmployability
PublisherEmerald Publishing
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 7 Nov 2024

Publication series

NameResearch in the Sociology of Work
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited
ISSN (Print)0277-2833

Keywords

  • employability
  • Scotland
  • evaluation
  • social value
  • third sector organisation (TSO)
  • social return on investment (SROI)

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