Evaluation of Neighbourhood Cares Pilot

Neighbourhood Cares was introduced as a new community-based model for delivering social care in Cambridgeshire. It used small, self-managing teams to emphasise the nurse/care worker as a self-managing agent of change.

We were commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council to evaluate Neighbourhood Cares, looking in particular at whether it had:

  • Prevented clients’ needs from escalating.
  • Improved clients’ quality of life.
  • Saved money for the state.
  • Benefited frontline care workers.
  • Created a sustainable legacy.

Our work included a rolling programme of qualitative research with senior stakeholders, team managers and frontline delivery staff. We undertook 20 client case studies to capture the end-user experience and undertook a periodic review of management and performance information. We also specified the size and composition of the workforce needed to support other local populations through a Neighbourhood Cares model.

Feedback from our clients

  • "It’s a great report, and I’ve submitted it to the Ofsted inspection team." – Strategic Commissioner, local authority

  • “Thanks for such a thoughtful report. It will be very useful to us and other organisations. Another great job from York Consulting!” Local Authority Director

  • “Thank you for this very helpful evaluation. I have only received positive feedback on it. It has been great working with you.” Local Authority Head of Service

  • “Your report was extremely thorough, and I appreciate how responsive you were to our additional requests for analysis.” Government department

  • “The team at York Consulting were professional and a delight to work with. I am very grateful for their input.” Government department

  • "Well done – a lot of work in a short space of time and at such high quality.” Sector Skills Council

  • "Your workshop was extremely well received and enabled managers to gain detailed insight, drawing on your expertise and knowledge.” Senior manager, not-for-profit organisation

  • "It [YCL’s final report] is one of the most impressive evaluation reports I’ve had the pleasure to read.” Principal, Further Education College

  • “YCL staff understand our organisation…I have developed a great relationship with them and I hope to work with them again.” Housing Association

  • “I’ve enjoyed working with you on this project. Thanks for your co-operation and flexibility.” Government department