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evaluation

Citizens Advice's 'Quids In'

Evidence type: Evaluation i

Description of the programme

‘Quids in’ was a free, voluntary financial skills training programme for social housing tenants designed to improve their money management skills and general financial awareness. It was delivered to 150 clients over 10 months. In particular it aimed to help tenants to:

  • maximise their available income;
  • access and use appropriate financial products; and
  • avoid financial difficulties.

The content was tailored depending on the needs and preferences of tenants, but broadly covered topics relating to everyday money management including:

  • understanding the differences between needs and wants and priority and non-priority bills;
  • understanding the consequences of not paying particular bills;
  • how to make your money go further;
  • how to budget and the benefits of budgeting;
  • accessing and making informed choices about financial products;
  • the importance of saving; and
  • how to access affordable credit.

The programme typically involved one training session lasting 45 minutes or more, delivered one-to-one in tenants’ homes, the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) office or another community venue. In some instances, the information was delivered at group sessions (either as two 45 minute small groups workshops around one week apart, or as one longer session).

The programme was delivered by a skilled financial capability trainer, a paid employee of the CAB.

Participants were given a financial skills toolkit to take away after the session. This included an electronic calculator and a folder containing copies of the materials used in the training such as calculations and budget sheets.

The study

  • The Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol undertook an independent evaluation in 2011 - 2012. This study involved pre- and post-programme measurement with participants, and a comparison group of social housing tenants in areas where the training was not delivered.
  • Outcomes were monitored following participation in the programme 6-8 weeks after.
  • Qualitative interviews were conducted 3-4 months after the training with 20 participants.

Key findings

The evaluation found that positive outcomes were achieved in relation to:

  • Financial wellbeing:
    • Over a quarter of participants (76%) who had taken action benefited financially, by an average of £10 a week.
  • Financial behaviour:
    • Money management: an increase in the ability of programme participants to make ends meet and keep track of their money when compared to the comparison group. Underlying behaviour changes included an increase in using money saving tips, shopping around, reducing spending and budgeting.
    • Saving: a positive change in the saving habits of participants compared to the comparison group, including starting saving and saving more. On average, programme participants who changed their saving behaviour were saving an extra £11 per week.
    • Banking: a larger proportion of participants opening or changing bank and credit union accounts compared to the comparison group.
    • Taking financial action: three-quarters (76%) of programme participants took action in relation to their finances following the programme compared with 43% of the comparison group.
    • Use of further information and guidance: a larger proportion of participants using sources of money advice and guidance following the programme compared to the comparison group.
  • Financial capability (mindset):
    • Participants demonstrated an increase in self-reported financial confidence compared to the comparison group, especially in relation to money management skills and financial control.

These positive outcomes are supported by qualitative data from participants which suggested that some of the impacts observed persisted beyond the 6-8 week survey follow-up.

Improvements were observed in the level of rent arrears amongst the participants, but these were not statistically significant compared a comparison group, so not attributable to the programme.

Nearly six in ten (58%) participants reported sharing information learnt on the programme with others, suggesting that friends and family of participants may also experience benefits.

Points to consider

Generalisability/transferability

  • The person delivering the training was a skilled financial capability trainer and member of the Institute for Learning. A less experienced worker may not have been able to achieve the same outcomes.
  • Engaging tenants in the programme was a significant challenge. Three types of concerted activity were used to drive up participation: general awareness raising, targeted marketing and one-to-one follow ups. The most effective method proved to be personal contact over the telephone and at tenants’ homes. It was particularly difficult to get tenants to engage in group workshops and as a consequence the majority of training was delivered one-to-one.
  • Tenants living in households with earned income were seven times more likely to make positive changes to their money management compared to those with no earned income. This programme may therefore be less effective in relation to this outcome if delivered to households solely reliant on benefits or other sources of (non-earned) income.

Relevance

  • Relevant to practitioners and stakeholders in running workshops with the aim of improving financial skills; and to evaluators of similar programmes.

Full report

Full research report

Key info

Activities and setting
Face-to-face; predominantly one-to-one with some group workshops
Programme delivered by
Bedworth, Rugby and Nuneaton Citizens Advice Bureau (BRANCAB) in conjunction with the Orbit Heart of England Housing Association (OHE)
Year of publication
2012
Country/Countries
England
Contact information

Hannah Luck Financial Capability Communications Manager 0300 023 1581 Hannah.luck@citizensadvice.org.uk