Consultancy Case Study

Data Analysis and Baseline Reporting for West Northants Voices in Partnership

Helping local services reflect the lived experience of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Challenge

West Northants Voices in Partnership (WNVP) plays a vital role as a forum for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Their mission is to bridge the gap between families and the Local Authority to improve quality of life across the region. However, creating meaningful change requires more than anecdotal evidence; it demands a robust, evidence-based understanding of where services are succeeding and where they are falling short.

WNVP faced the challenge of translating raw survey data from two distinct groups – children and young people themselves, and their parents or carers – into a baseline from which they could measure progress over time. Without a dedicated evidence base, the organisation and the Local Authority faced the risk of allocating resources based on assumptions rather than the expressed needs of the community. 

WNVP required a robust, local mechanism to move beyond anecdotal evidence and establish a clear, factual foundation that could highlight where support could be better targeted to support those most in need. 

Our Approach

We have developed a tailored approach to survey analysis after working with a number of different PCFs, each with different needs. Our approach centres both qualitative and quantitative analysis to create a narrative from hundreds of comments and responses.

Our focus is on the following:

  • Highlighting key themes and concerns to surface what matters most to families.
  • Quantifying trends that best show where things are improving or where more attention is needed.
  • Providing evidence for change. By creating clear, data-driven reports, we give forums evidence to use in discussions with local authorities and service providers.

To do this, we combine our knowledge of place-based data with qualitative coding of open text responses. This analysis can then be used to help ensure that the voices of parents and carers aren’t lost in the numbers, when shared with a wider audience.

Survey Analysis

Turn feedback into insight

Bring quantitative responses and qualitative feedback together to identify the most important patterns, differences and themes 

Clear and practical

Present complex survey results in a clear, accessible report that helps families, partners and decision-makers understand what the evidence means

Strengthen your strategy

Back up discussions around policy and resource allocation with the evidence from your surveys, combined with our place-based data

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