What exactly are we doing? | Practical tools and tips

These resources will help you practically develop a theory of change.  Developing a strong theory of change requires input from various stakeholders and should not be a ‘one-shot’ process: it is something that you need to work through a few times, and with different stakeholders. As you develop your theory of change, you may find that more questions arise, and gaps in your thinking may crop up. This is a very healthy sign that the process is working!

Starting point

Start here if you are a youth practitioner new to evaluation and quality improvement design:

Asking good questions about what you do

If you’re new to this, then this introduction and workbook developed by the College is a great place to begin. It will help you to reflect on the assumptions that underpin your youth provision, examine the evidence that points to the need for your work, and establish a strong rationale for it. ​

Download workbook

Tool for running a theory of change workshop with your team

Use this a template deck, including ToC model to fill in, from the College to help you run your own theory of change workshop with your team (introductory version).​

Download the template

Theories of change for Campaigning​

A practical 10-step guide from NPC on creating your theory of change, with a version specifically for campaigning​.

Go to site

Template Evaluation Plan ​

A practical template from the College including advice on designing your overall approach. 

Download here

Advanced

Resources to build on your experience of evaluation frameworks and continuous quality improvement:

Developing an Outcomes Framework for your provision

The most recent Framework of Outcomes for Young People (2022) includes advice on how to develop a theory of change (see section 2) and how to align it with an evaluation plan (see Appendix 2) ​

Read the report

Improving provision using a ‘core components’ approach

This insights report from the Learning Partners of the Youth Endowment Fund COVID19 grant (March 2021) looks in detail at how breaking down an offer into its core components can help improve youth provision. Helpful real life examples are included throughout. ​

Read the report

Engaging with evidence and bringing it into practice

A discussion between experts from the Centre and Research in Practice into how we define ‘evidence’ and how it can and should be used to inform and improve our work with young people. Touches on different types of evidence, standards of evidence, and dives into ideas of theory of change and ‘core components’ 

Listen to the podcast

Understanding the important elements of developmental relationships

If you’re interested in what the evidence says about the most important elements of developmental relationships for young people, this framework developed by the Search Institute may be helpful. It identifies five elements: express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power, expand possibilities, and includes how they are expressed through specific actions. ​

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How to approach ToC work through a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion lens

If you're looking for practical advice on how to approach the development of your theory of change through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens, you'll find helpful guidance here from Project Evident.

Read the report
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Case Study

One organisation decided to take a youth-led approach to develop its theory of change. They created a deck of index cards, each section colour coded to the different parts of the theory of change (e.g. activities, mechanisms of change, and outcomes), and groups of young people built their own version of the organisations’ theory of change grounded in their lived experience of it. They then consolidated these different versions to make one final version, which went through a further round of review with the young people and was integrated with data about the context and local needs. This gave the organisation a clear map of its offer, co-designed with young people, explaining its services to new young people on arrival.