What central government and commissioners say
"The Outcomes Star™ measurement system has generated a considerable amount of interest within the sector. We view it as an example of positive practice in relation to tracking individual development and progress against multiple vulnerabilities." Audit Commission, March 2006
"From a commissioner perspective I see clear benefits to using the star and how this can improve the information we receive from providers. This includes outcomes data for individual service users, an overall picture of positive change in outcomes for all service users as well as information about which outcomes are more difficult to shift and gaps - which can inform service development." Nina Fox, integrated working support Officer, Camden Children's Schools and Families
"Not only is this a useful tool for self-assessment and identification of needs; its use over time can demonstrate to commissioners that they are getting the right outcomes from the services they fund." Department of Health, New Horizons: Towards a Shared Vision for Mental Health, July 2009
“I think the Outcomes Star is a really excellent tool. It helps people to think holistically about the people they are working with and supports a focus on progress as well as maintenance. It has a lot to contribute across a range of different sectors.” Nigel Walker, Senior Commissioning Advisor, Department of Health and Chair of Gradus Consulting
"In my experience, the biggest challenge in doing an SROI is having good outcomes data. The OUtcomes Star is probably the most developed, robust and easy-to-use tool for collecting distance travelled data" Dr Eva Neitzert, New Economics Foundation
In addition the Outcomes Star is referenced in a number of official publications and courses:-
Department of Health
The Department of Health have featured the Mental Health version of the Outcomes Star (the Recovery Star) in their Strategy Consultation Paper for Mental Health.
The Department of Health has also funded the Mental Health Providers Forum to promote the Recovery Star in five of the ten Strategic Health authorities in England
National Social Inclusion Programme
Their Outcomes Framework for Mental Health Services lists three ‘recognised social inclusion outcomes measurement tools’, one of these is the Homelessness Outcomes Star and one is the Mental Health Outcomes Star
Chartered Institute of Housing
Is featuring the Homelessness version of the Star in its new qualification for key-workers in homelessness services
Office of the Third Sector
The Office of the Third Sector has published a report entitled ‘Social Return on Investment – and commissioning: How commissioners can use SROI to achieve better results’ which refers to the Outcomes Star in its case study of Camden’s Sustainable Commissioning Model
The Outcomes Star is also being used quite widely by local commissioners:-
Camden Council is piloting the use of different versions of the Outcomes Star extensively across their services including in mental health, teenagers with drug and alcohol issues, vulnerable families and services for older people.
Kirklees Council has been using the Star widely in its commissioning for mental health services and Derbyshire Council is about to pilot the older person’s version.
A consortium of London boroughs including Islington and Camden have commissioned a version of the Star for back to work services and another consortium (Westminster, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham and Camden) have commissioned a version for older people.
Many other local authorities are encouraging or requiring service providers to use the Outcomes Star.
