Tag: Level 3 Advanced Practitioner

Social Value UK are proud to announce Adam Knight-Markiegi, Research Director at M·E·L Research, has achieved Level Three Advanced Practitioner status.

M·E·L Research is one of the UK’s leading social research and behavioural insights consultancies. Our vision is to make a positive difference to organisations, employees, customers and wider society. Our mission is to empower our people to make a positive difference, using their passion and skills in listening to and understanding people, to provide actionable insight, that helps our customers deliver better public services.

Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Adam’s experience with the Level Three assessment process:

Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway?

I started my SROI training back in 2018 with the two-day practitioner course. I’ve also liked how SROI is a great bridge between qualitative and quantitative approaches to understanding what changes for stakeholders. It’s rewarding to work with organisations to capture their wider social impact and help improve their social value.

The SVI Practitioner Pathway, especially the Level 3 Advanced status, is a public show of a deep understanding of social value measurement and proof – and commitment – of demonstrating this to high standards.

What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process? How did you find working with your assessor?

Having my single-handed SROI report externally assessed was really useful. Because of the demands of the Practitioner application, you can’t get lots of input into the SROI evaluation from colleagues or others. Every decision really does come back to you – with stakeholder involvement, of course. This means an external pair of eyes assessing your work becomes really valuable, helping to emphasise the good parts but also pick up areas to improve.

Now that you are a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

We carry out lots of evaluations at M·E·L Research, though not so many SROI ones so far. I will grow this here. Part of this has been encouraging a colleague to go on the SROI Practitioner Training. Now as an Advanced Practitioner myself, I want to nurture these skills in colleagues and help to apply the SROI principles in other, non-social value project

Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI/social value?

A live SROI evaluation is of Steps to Work’s BRIDGES project, aiming to tackle poverty and social inclusion in the Black Country. As well as assessing the project’s aims against programme objectives, we’re also unearthing other changes for participants, partners (like colleges and employers) and other stakeholders. The findings will address funder requirements but also give Steps to Work useful insight into how such projects work and who benefits most from them, therefore feeding into their future projects.

You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

For me, it comes back to SROI principles and applying these. This even includes the new Principle 8 of being responsive. My externally assessed report was an SROI evaluation of the Birmingham School of Bell Ringing, an entirely volunteer-run organisation helping people learn to ring church bells. I learnt to ring there and have returned as a volunteer helper, then analyst and now evaluator. As an ‘insider’, I know how the report findings are already making a change to how the School operates. The School has been responsive and I’ve taken up another voluntary role, as Pastoral Manager, so am also being responsive.

“I’m delighted to have been recognised as a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner. Going back to the start of the SROI evaluation I’ve used for the assessment, this is the end point in a year-long journey. Great to be recognised for the hard work and commitment to social value and social impact measurement.”

Adam Knight-Markiegi, Research Director at M·E·L Research

For more information from Adam, reach out via Adam.Knight-Markiegi@melresearch.co.uk

Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.

Social Value UK are proud to announce Penny Court, Senior Associate (Impact) at Moore Kingston Smith, has achieved Level Three Advanced Practitioner status.

The Fundraising and Management team (MKSFM) is a subsidiary business of Moore Kingston Smith. MKSFM provides specialised consultancy and advisory services to the not for profit sector. As a team they have three main areas of expertise: financial management, strategic fundraising support and impact measurement and reporting. They help clients improve their business models, remodel their finance functions, diversify their funding streams and measure, manage and articulate their social value.

Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Penny’s experience with the Level Three assessment process:

Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway?

I decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway because, as someone working in the world of impact measurement and management, this is an invaluable accreditation to have. As an impact practitioner I knew the Pathway would be beneficial to my development as a professional and it gives me the assurance that my practice is sound and in line with international standards.

What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process? How did you find working with your assessor?

It didn’t feel like I was being examined but rather that my assessor was supporting me and genuinely wanted me to achieve. I learnt a great deal through the assessment process. I had discussions with my assessor that made me think about things differently, and those conversations and her insightful comments really deepened my understanding of the 7 Principles and impact methodology.

Now that you are a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

I am excited to use my skills to help organisations contribute meaningfully to society and make better decisions that move us into a fairer and more sustainable world. In terms of what I plan to do next, I want to continue to grow and develop. The world of social value, as we know, is diverse and rapidly evolving, and there is lots to learn and contribute to. This is one of the things I love about the space – is it dynamic and there are always such exciting conversations to have, ways to get involved and new ideas blooming.

Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI/social value?

My team at Moore Kingston Smith are working on a number of impact related projects at the moment. For one of our clients we are building a bespoke impact measurement framework tailored to their activities that they will be able to use going forward to not only understand and demonstrate their impact but also to help inform their strategic decisions.

Another project we are working on is with a charity that provides housing and support for people with mental health issues. We are conducting a predictive impact report for this client that will allow them to see how it is they are helping to create change for their clients and where there is opportunity to optimise their impact. The analysis will also be an excellent way to demonstrate the social value they generate to commissioners.

You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

This global social value community is hugely important to me. I have loved being a part of it so far and have learnt so much from others. The webinar, conferences, and exchanges have allowed me to connect with many brilliant people. I regularly find myself listening and learning from someone who is sitting in Canada or Africa, or has done some exciting work somewhere in Europe. I sign up to as many things as my diary will allow! As the movement expands and we continue to develop and refine how we measure and account for value in the world, I am increasingly aware that our global community is the life force of this.

“It was hard work but I am over the moon to have been accredited as a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner. This is a real milestone for me as I continue to develop my experience and skillset in the world of social value. I feel privileged to be a part of this global community who are all doing things differently and making the world we live in fairer and more sustainable. It’s a big task but we are committed!”

Penny Court, Senior Associate (Impact)at Moore Kingston Smith

For more information from Penny, reach out via pcourt@mks.co.uk

Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.