We are delighted to share our final evaluation report and supporting outputs on the Changing Futures programme, in partnership with CFE Research, Revolving Doors and The School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield.

The Changing Futures programme is a 5-year £91.8 million initiative between MHCLG and The National Lottery Community Fund. It seeks to test innovative approaches to improving outcomes for people experiencing multiple disadvantage – including combinations of homelessness, drug and/or alcohol problems, mental ill health, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. The programme is running in 15 areas, between them covering 34 top-tier council areas, across England from 2021 to 2026.

The evaluation found:

• For individuals - the Changing Futures programme has contributed to improved quality of life for participants through the caseworker teams and associated services funded by the programme. The combination of practical and emotional support and improved access to and engagement with external services all contribute to early outcomes such as improved housing and stabilisation or reduction in substance use.
• For services - the programme has contributed to change through workforce development activities and multidisciplinary teams that have helped to engage and influence other services. However, evidence of change mainly relates to Changing Futures teams or organisations working closely with the programme.
• For wider system - the Changing Futures programme has made progress towards increasing strategic alignment and creating more joined-up commissioning. However, stakeholders from most partnerships indicated that the pace of change at the strategic level was slower than hoped for.

Read the final report and supplementary analysis here or download them below.

You can also access a range of summaries and practical tools to support understanding, practice and systems change work on multiple disadvantage including:

• A practical guide about systems change learning
• Understanding multiple disadvantage summary infographic
• Achievements of the Changing Futures programme infographic
• The role of Changing Futures caseworkers infographic
• Insights about housing, homelessness and multiple disadvantage infographic.

Resources

Evaluation of the Changing Futures programme - final report

Systems change learning - Changing Futures

Participant - Changing Futures Infographic

Achievements - Changing Futures Infographic

Caseworker - Changing Futures Infographic

Housing and Homelessness - Changing Futures Infographic