It has always been difficult for organisations to evaluate soft outcomes and to demonstrate how the organisation is enabling service users to progress.

The SOUL Record™ is a toolkit that allows you to measure soft outcome progression and informal learning, such as increases in confidence, self-esteem and motivation. It is split into sections relevant for adults, children and young people, with the latter 2 sections mapped against the five outcome areas of Every Child Matters. The toolkit is also RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement in Non-accredited Learning) compliant.

The SOUL Record™ was researched and developed via a Big Lottery grant by a consortium from the Norfolk Voluntary Sector and The Research Centre, City College Norwich.

The SOUL Record™ uses three main methodologies (solution focussed questionnaires, one-to-one worksheets and observational techniques) for collecting data in soft outcome progression. data collected on individuals or groups of people can then be collated using paper based methods or alternatively via the Spreadsheets Results Package (SRP) that comes as part of the SOUL Record folder. This allows you to work out averages and present the data graphically.

Data from The SOUL Record™ can be used to assess the impact of a project, to support funding applications and to complete self assessments and provide evidence for Ofsted inspections.