Evaluating the impact of Historic England

Steer Economic Development produced an evaluation framework for Historic England based on a logic-model approach that identifies a proportionate number of economic, social and environmental outcome indicators.

Research activities included:

• A literature review.
• Stakeholder consultations.
• An online staff survey.
• Staff workshops.
• An interim-findings workshop.
• A presentation to the executive management team.

Several evaluation challenges were identified during the work, including:

• the distinction to be drawn between an evaluation of a multi-faceted organisation that exercises leadership and regulatory functions and a discrete programme or project;
• the need to distinguish between the impact of Historic England as an organisation and the impact of the heritage sector on economic, social and environmental & heritage outcomes; and
• the importance of non-use values to the heritage sector.

Staff workshops identified 33 potential economic, social and environmental & heritage outcomes. These outcomes were mapped against corporate aims, activities, and the different elements of strategic added value, for example leadership and leverage.

The report recommended that Historic England establish a programme to rationalise and enhance existing data sets to inform resourcing decisions, and report performance against a Public Value Framework based on Sir Michael Barber’s 2017 review.