The power of data in advocacy: Driving better outcomes

Let me ask you a question.

Why do you collect data? What do you do with it?

For most people collecting data, the honest answer is usually ‘we collect it for our commissioner’ or ‘because of contract requirements’. I bet you all the sand in the Sahara that if I asked ‘what does the commissioner do with the data?’ the answer is either ‘nothing’ or ‘don’t know’.

This is understandable. Most people involved in leading and running advocacy services are not trained in data collection or analysis. But the good news, is that you don’t need to be.

You need two things:

• a curious and creative mind, and
• a case management system that delivers the data for you.

Cultivating your curiosity and creativity

Most independent advocacy services are required to gather data to report to commissioners, typically outlining how many people were supported, what types of issues were addressed, and how the services operated. Unfortunately, this data often serves only to meet contractual obligations, and both commissioners and services may fail to analyse or act on it.

But what if we saw data as a way to impact change? Real change. Change to how you run your advocacy service.

Let’s imagine a made up service: Advocates R Us. They pride themselves on delivering effective independent mental health advocacy (IMHA). They have great relationships with the hospitals and are regularly seen dropping into the wards, meeting informally with people. They believe most of their referrals come directly from people who use advocacy, and they believe this is a good thing.

They decide to do an analysis of data looking at how many people get an advocate and who refers. They learn, that 75% of their IMHA referrals come from the person themselves. They think, hmmm, that’s interesting. Let’s look more closely. They discover that across different wards and hospitals this figure is very different. In one ward only 10% of referrals come from the person themselves. And in another over 90% are self-referrals. They dig deeper:

• Ward A - This is a ward which cares for eight people. It is a specialist ward for older people with dementia. The advocate works with about two to three people on the ward at any one time. Almost all the referrals are from professionals.
• Ward B - This is a medium secure ward for 12 people. It’s very fast paced, people tend to stay for weeks rather than months. The advocate works with about 50% of people on this ward at any one time and nearly all contact is through self referral.
• Ward C - This is a specialist longer term ward that cares for autistic adults. There are no self referrals. In fact, half are made by family members. Advocate R Us didn’t realise families members even referred.

Using this data means the service can now ask meaningful questions:

• Do we need different strategies on different wards?
• Do we have a strategy to tell carers about their loved ones right to an IMHA?
• Do we need to target and get buy-in from staff on wards where people lack capacity to ask for an IMHA?

This data is what can lead to service change and improvement. And yes, commissioners will be delighted to see you using data in this way.

Data helps us discover where improvements are needed

Data can help you measure performance, assess whether you’re meeting the needs of the people you support, and track whether you’re achieving the outcomes you want. Data can show you which demographic groups are being underserved by your team or identify issues that repeatedly go unresolved. It can also reveal gaps in the systems that advocates encounter time and again, which might not be apparent without concrete evidence. By regularly reviewing and reflecting on the data you collect, you can make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts, whether that’s adapting service delivery, increasing advocacy in a particular area, or allocating resources more effectively.

Data as a catalyst for systemic change

We all know that services are increasingly stretched, and the outcomes for many people can be poor. This reality highlights the need for advocacy services to not only support individuals but also challenge systemic failures. But, how can you provide the evidence needed to drive such important systemic change if you’re not collecting and using the data?

When you can back up your advocacy work with clear, compelling evidence, you have a stronger case to push for changes in policy, funding, and service delivery. Data gives you the ability to present a detailed picture of the challenges people face, the areas where systems fall short, and the tangible benefits of advocacy intervention. Without this evidence, it’s much harder to advocate for systemic improvements and long-term solutions.

If you suspect that people’s discharge from hospital are unsafe or waiting lists for dental treatment are so long, people are suffering or people are complaining they never get to go out… Use your data to evidence this, otherwise commissioners and managers won’t have the leverage to do anything about this!

Unlock the potential of your data

The evidence gathered through your work with individuals is a rich source of insight, not only for improving your service but also for advancing change in society as a whole. By taking the time to analyse and act on the data you collect, you can pinpoint the areas where improvements are most needed and provide the evidence to drive those changes. Data is not just a byproduct of advocacy. It’s a powerful tool that, if harnessed effectively, can help ensure that we achieve the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

In a time when advocacy services face increasing challenges, using the data you already capture can make all the difference. So, let’s move beyond collecting data for the sake of reports and use it to strengthen our advocacy, improve our services, and ultimately make a lasting impact on the systems we aim to change.

At Advocacy, Intelligence and Data, our goal is to make data easy. Talk to us if you want a case management system that understands the needs of your advocacy service and makes it easy for you to increase your impact.

Find out more about ADI.