Social Return on Investment Study 2022

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The BC Network of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres is pleased to share the Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis for the activities of child and youth advocacy centres (CYAC) in British Columbia.

Highlights: SROI Study and Outcome Highlights

Full report: BC Network of CYACs SROI Analysis Final Report 2022

This SROI study confirms what we have seen in the ten years since the first CYAC opened in British Columbia: Child and Youth Advocacy Centres make a profound difference for the children and youth who have experienced abuse and violence, and for their families; the services provided by the systems of care are significantly strengthened; and the investments made in the model by government and other funders are amplified five times over.

Outcomes of the study

  • This analysis revealed an SROI ratio of 1 : 5.54, which indicates that for every dollar invested in CYACs, approximately $5.54 in social and economic value is created .
  • In 2021/2022, the $3.5 million investment in CYACs resulted in $19.6 million in value.
  • The key areas where the CYAC model is shown to result in significant positive outcomes include:
    o Wellbeing and quality of life changes for children and their families;
    o Improved quality of work for CYAC management and staff, MDT members, and partner agencies; and,
    o Efficiencies with British Columbia’s systems of care, which span healthcare, education, justice, child protection, and policing.
  • The CYAC model makes the response to abuse and violence of children and youth more supportive, culturally safer, clearer, and more streamlined for children, their siblings, family members/caregivers, and service providers. And the impact of the CYAC model is extensive, with significant social and economic benefits.

Consideration

As you read through this study, it is important to note this SROI analysis captured some efficiencies and values, but not all, and should be considered conservative. The study considers a 10-year period outcome duration. As research shows, many of the changes clients of CYACs experience continue to have an impact well beyond this timeframe, but those long-term outcomes were not considered in this analysis. The approach was also conservative in nature: assumptions were reasonable and made only where they could be directly attributed to the work of CYACs. For example, prevention of issues such as suicide (value of a life) and recidivism of offenders due to the interventions were not captured, although CYACs are known to contribute to such prevention.

The Network acknowledges and thanks the Department of Justice Canada for the grant that allowed us to gather this valuable data. The network also thanks MNP for their expertise in conducting the study and results analysis, and participants for their time and dedication to this study.

Questions about the study and its findings can be directed to:
Brooke McLardy
Coordinator, BC Network of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres
[email protected]