Are You Getting Real Value from Your Training Investment?

In 2024, UK organisations spent a staggering £53.0 billion on training - equivalent to around £1,700 per employee. (Source: Department for Education & Skills England, Employer Skills Survey, July 2025.)

To put that figure in perspective, this sum could have funded the construction of 750 new secondary schools, over 100 hospitals, or 300,000 affordable homes. While I don't claim expertise in construction, I feel confident saying that those who commission such large-scale infrastructure projects would be meticulous in ensuring their investment was impactful, high-quality, and fit for purpose.

Yet, in the training world, despite similarly significant investments, evaluation is often overlooked.

Too often, the benchmark for success is limited to box-ticking: Was the course delivered? Did everyone attend? Great - job done.

But this mindset misses the point. Training is not an end in itself. It’s a means to an outcome.

Why Evaluation Matters

Having recently submitted my portfolio for accreditation with the NSPCC Certificate of Competency in Safeguarding and Child Protection Training, I’ve deepened my understanding of the critical role that evaluation plays in effective training. It’s not just an afterthought - it’s as essential as identifying training needs, designing the programme, or delivering it.

One of the most robust and widely recognised models for evaluating training effectiveness is Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation. Originally introduced in 1959 and refined over decades, it remains a cornerstone of training design and evaluation worldwide.

Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels: A Backwards Planning Approach

Jim Kirkpatrick and Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick, continuing the legacy of Donald Kirkpatrick, promote the New World Kirkpatrick Model, which encourages planning training with the end in mind—starting from Level 4 and working backwards.

Here’s a breakdown of the four levels and how they apply to safeguarding and child protection training:

Level 4: Results

The ultimate measure: What did the training help the organisation achieve?

This level examines how the training contributes to the organisation’s core mission. For example, one organisation we worked with in July 2024 stated its aim:

“There are many different ways we work with adults to promote the rights of children and young people.”

A Level 4 evaluation would assess whether and how the training strengthened that commitment - e.g., through measurable changes in policy implementation or stakeholder feedback.

Level 3: Behaviour

Are staff applying what they’ve learned?

This level looks at observable, on-the-job actions. In safeguarding, this might include how effectively staff identify and respond to child protection concerns or how confidently they initiate referrals.

Level 2: Learning

Did participants gain the knowledge and confidence they needed?

This is often measured through pre- and post-training assessments, self-evaluations, or observed practice. For instance, how well do delegates now understand the indicators of abuse? How confident do they feel about raising a concern?

Level 1: Reaction

How did participants feel about the training?

Though often viewed as superficial, this level still matters. If participants found the session engaging, relevant, and well-delivered, they’re more likely to absorb and apply what they learned.

Our Commitment at Jingling Lane Training

At Jingling Lane Training, we evaluate our sessions across all four levels of the Kirkpatrick Model. Why? Because we believe that commissioners deserve more than just attendance records. They deserve assurance that:

• The training meets strategic objectives

• Participants are equipped to do their jobs better

• Organisational outcomes are positively impacted

We hold ourselves accountable - to our learners, to the organisations we serve, and most importantly, to the children and adults our work ultimately aims to protect.

Final Thought
Training isn’t just a line in a budget - it’s an investment in people, practice, and public good. Let’s make sure it delivers real value.

For more details about the sessions we offer, please visit our Services: Teaching, Training, and Course Evaluation page.

For more information and to discuss your requirements, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.