The Outcomes Star™ can provide outcomes data at four levels: For individual service users: the Star gives a snapshot of where they were on each outcome area when they joined the project and at each review – the difference between starting point and review shows the progress made in that time.

For a project as a whole: the average starting points on entry to the service and the amount of progress made in a specified time period or over their life-time in the project can be calculated – this gives a picture of the project outcomes. The Outcomes Star™ online can provide this information at the touch of a button.

For a group of projects across an organisation: the same information as above can be calculated for each project allowing comparison between different services. In addition users of the Outcomes Star™ online can compare the progress made by different sub-groups of clients, for example women and men or older and younger service users.

For similar projects across a sector: the same analyses as described above can be carried out for a sector as a whole. This makes it possible to establish benchmarks identifying good practice and building an outcomes-focused evidence base. This is only possible using the Outcomes Star™ online.

The Outcomes Star™ can provide outcomes data at four levels:

• For individual service users: the Star gives a snapshot of where they were on each outcome area when they joined the project and at each review – the difference between starting point and review shows the progress made in that time.
• For a project as a whole: the average starting points on entry to the service and the amount of progress made in a specified time period or over their life-time in the project can be calculated – this gives a picture of the project outcomes. The Outcomes Star™ online can provide this information at the touch of a button.
• For a group of projects across an organisation: the same information as above can be calculated for each project allowing comparison between different services. In addition users of the Outcomes Star™ online can compare the progress made by different sub-groups of clients, for example women and men or older and younger service users.
• For similar projects across a sector: the same analyses as described above can be carried out for a sector as a whole. This makes it possible to establish benchmarks identifying good practice and building an outcomes-focused evidence base. This is only possible using the Outcomes Star™ online.

The Organisation Guides for different versions of the Outcomes Star™ contain guidance on using Star data for routine service monitoring. Download the homelessness Outcomes Star™ Organisation Guide and the Recovery Star Organisation Guide.

Guidance on how to analyse Star data for more in-depth research is available. Download Making the most of your Outcomes Star™ data published by Homeless Link.

St Mungo's worked with Triangle Consulting to analyse Star data from four of their hostels for learning and service improvement. Find out more.