In 2011 the Fund commissioned its first independent evaluation on the impact of the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund, conducted by The Fenix Foundation and sponsored by The Clothworkers Company. This research concluded that:
“The Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund is regarded as a highly valuable resource by the practitioners interviewed by Fenix. The value lies in its ease of access, the responsiveness and professionalism of the secretariat, its non-judgemental nature and its wide applicability. The Fund is generally regarded as having a positive impact on offending behavious with the impact felt to be disproportionately great to relatively small sums involved.”
To see the detailed findings of this research click here.
In 2024 the Fund commissioned an updated independent evaluation by Bean Research. Of the probation officers and other practitioners using the Fund, 71% of those researched said the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund’s grants reduce the likelihood of reoffending, 67% say the grants increase the chances of employment and 67% say the Fund’s grants enable access to education and training.
To see the detailed findings of this research and download the report, please click below.