We recognise that high-level national statistics often fail to capture the local reality for families navigating special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). For North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together (NSPCWT), the primary challenge was a distinct data gap that made it difficult to evidence the lived experiences of their members.
To influence commissioners and drive change across education, health, and social care, the organisation needed more than just anecdotes; they required a robust, empirical baseline. National data sets frequently mask significant differences between areas and specific groups, potentially leading to misallocated investment. NSPCWT commissioned us to bridge this gap by transforming their annual survey into a sophisticated analytical report.
By providing a clear picture of service delivery, we helped ensure the needs of parent carers were backed by hard evidence, empowering the organisation to target their advocacy effectively and address the hidden barriers families face.
We started this project by cleaning the survey dataset to ensure a high standard of data integrity before embarking on a multi-layered analysis. Our methodology focused on looking at changes over time, comparing the 2023-2024 period to establish a trajectory for service performance. We examined the data through four key lenses: overall service experience, a deep dive into specific sectors, parent carer wellbeing, and future priorities.
To identify hidden pockets of need, we broke down responses by the child’s specific needs, school year, and geographical area. This granular approach revealed that while some areas saw positive trends, others experienced highly polarised outcomes. We also identified a concerning trend where satisfaction levels decline as children progress through the education system, with higher education being a particular hotspot for negative experiences.
Beyond the numbers, we performed a thematic analysis of qualitative feedback to capture recurring concerns, using word clouds and direct examples to provide essential context for decision-makers. Crucially, our analysis of carer wellbeing highlighted that younger parents (aged 25-34) face the most significant mental health strain, reporting high levels of anxiety and social isolation.
We delivered these findings in a comprehensive, accessible report designed to serve as a practical tool for both strategic leaders and local stakeholders. This evidence base provides a clear roadmap for co-production and service improvement. The final report now serves as a benchmark from which progress can be measured, ensuring that no family or neighbourhood is left behind in the drive for better outcomes.
Bring quantitative responses and qualitative feedback together to identify the most important patterns, differences and themes.
Present complex survey results in a clear, accessible report that helps families, partners and decision-makers understand what the evidence means.
Back up discussions around policy and resource allocation with the evidence from your surveys, combined with our place-based data
Providing a new way to assess how social and economic challenges cluster...
Ensuring local projects are backed by an understanding of the people and...