5c – External expertise is chosen on their evidence base

Meaning – when engaging with external expertise, staff compare providers against available research to determine their track record. This could be when engaging with a wide organisation or an individual consultant, for example. Those providers of expertise who provide robust evaluations that demonstrate impact are prioritised.

What might this look like in practice?

In searching for external practice, staff not only look for whether the provider might meet their needs, but also the evidence base behind it. This might include an evaluation of impact that is already provided, or it might involve checking the evidence-base behind an approach with research, or even asking the provider to give the evidence behind their approach.