Feasibility study of Smart Works’ impact evaluation

Frontier is delighted to support Smart Works on a pro bono basis with an independent assessment of the impact and return on investment of its services.

Smart Works is a UK charity that aims to have a transformative effect on the lives of unemployed women by providing free personalised interview coaching, styling advice and high-quality outputs for interview and employment.It aims to build women’s confidence and skills to succeed at job interview and move into employment.

Frontier Economics carried out an independent pro bono assessment of Smart Works' impact and return on investment (ROI) for FY2024/25.

Frontier's assessment employed a best-practice theory-based approach and focussed on the direct client benefits delivered by Smart Works. It drew on Smart Works’ client survey data, administrative records, focus group reports and a rapid review of the academic literature to articulate the benefits and value of what Smart Works delivers.

The impact analysis concluded that Smart Works’ direct client services delivered substantial benefits to the women it supported in FY2024-25 and found strong evidence that the benefits delivered by Smart Works significantly outweigh its costs. For every £1 of funding (including financial and clothing donations) Frontier estimated that Smart Works delivers around £8 worth of direct economic, health and well-being benefits, noting that this estimate does not include likely wider benefits to the children of women supported back to work.

If you would like to find out in more detail about Smart Works, visit their website here. If you’d like to read our report in full, please click here.

 For more information, please contact media@frontier-economics.com, or call +44 (0)20 7031 7000.