The practical and contextual challenges of conducting an independent field evaluation of a new staff role in a care-enabled housing setting

This case study article explores the challenges encountered when conducting an independent field evaluation of a new Community Link Worker role based within a care-enabled housing scheme. The role aimed to enable tenants to remain socially connected, both within the scheme and with the wider local community. It also discusses the factors that helped researchers to overcome those challenges.
During the evaluation the researchers captured informal reflections relating to the evaluation activities undertaken. Additional reflections were captured when producing the final evaluation report, when the researchers were further removed from the immediacy of the ongoing activities. Discussions between the researchers identified a set of overarching themes that encompassed their experiences.
The researchers faced several challenges when carrying out the evaluation including misunderstandings and misconceptions relating to the new Community Link Worker role and the evaluation activities, limited opportunities to visit the scheme affecting the ability to build relationships, and an evolving context within the scheme. The researchers’ existing skills and experience helped to mitigate the impact through a solid foundation of planning and knowing how to adapt and be flexible as situations arose.
While researchers may face challenges while conducting evaluations, they do not often have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and acknowledge how challenges were overcome. Rather than focusing on evaluation outcomes and the impact of an intervention, this case study takes a step back to consider the evaluation process and context, and shares insights that other researchers may find valuable.