Evaluation of the development of a behaviour change unit and its contribution to local government (PHIRST South Bank)

Background: A local County Council set up a specialist Behaviour Change Unit (BCU) in 2019 to provide training, advice and consultancy on behaviour change techniques and principles across all directorates.

Aims: This evaluation will illuminate the process of setting up such a unit and help to identify those aspects of the organisational context, norms and networking that contribute to whether it is an adoptable innovation and across which service areas. It will examine how well the unit has been assimilated or embedded by those leading the innovation and those who might adopt the techniques of behaviour change.

Method: The mixed methods sequential evaluation design comprises three discrete but related strands: First, a framework analysis of interviews and documents to tell the story of the setting up of the BCU; Second, a quantitative survey will identify the motivation, knowledge and skills in relation to behaviour change, for those staff involved in the commissioning, design or delivery of services or programmes; and finally, a ‘deep dive’ into two project areas through interviews, document analysis and focus groups employing a case study approach to investigate the context and readiness to adopt the techniques and principles of behaviour change.

Conclusions: Learning from this evaluation about the establishment of the BCU and its application will inform decisions regarding whether to establish a dedicated unit in other regions and how this can best be achieved.