What exactly are we doing | Theory

These resources will help you write a theory of change (ToC) for your project, service, or intervention. It is important to be as specific as you can. Building a theory of change should not be a ‘one-shot’ process. It is something that you need to work through a few times and regularly refresh on your own, with colleagues, and – where appropriate – with the young people you work with.

Starting point

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

Introduction to Theory of Change

A short (3 minute) introduction to what a Theory of Change is and why it’s important, from Nesta’s DIY Toolkit (2014).

Watch the video

Introduction to Theory of Change

A short (6 minute) introduction to what a ToC is and why it’s important from the NHS research programme, Born In Bradford (2019).

Watch the video

How to create a theory of change

For a practical step by step ‘how-to’ video, try this detailed presentation from the Dartington Service Design Lab (2021).

Watch the video

Advanced

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

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 College 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

Toolbox for running a theory of change workshop with your team

Template slides designed by the College, including ToC models to fill in, to help you run your own theory of change workshop with your team. ​

Download the template

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

Measuring the impact of campaigning and advocacy work

If you work specifically in campaigning and advocacy, you may find this article interesting. It talks about the challenges of measuring impact in advocacy work and offers some useful ideas and guidance for how to approach the evaluation of advocacy in general campaigning and advocacy work in general.

Read the report

Constructing a Racial Equity Theory of Change​

If you want to highlight a specific equity issue, for example, racial inequity, this guide by the Aspen Institute (2009) gives a tailored approach to theory of change to make your equity aims explicit.​

Read the guide