About Us
We work with clients in the public, private and third sectors, locally, nationally and internationally. We use our specialist knowledge to deliver the right decision support to the right people at the right time. We do this through evidence reviews, independent evaluations and supporting our clients to identify, collect and analyse robust performance data. Our specific areas of expertise include health, social care, education and criminal justice.
The RTK is headed up by Dr Tony Munton. Tony has over 30 years’ experience of evaluating social policy across key areas of government, national and local. Our bespoke delivery teams combine expertise as researchers, academics and practitioners.
“The Right To Know (the RTK) takes its name from a painting by American artist Norman Rockwell. ”
What we do
EVIDENCE REVIEWS
We understand the importance of making decisions based on the best available evidence. Evidence reviews establish the current state of our knowledge; they use robust, transparent methods to identify and evaluate research and present relevant findings in clear, practitioner focussed reports. We have a significant track record in conducting high quality evidence reviews, having delivered over 20 in recent years. We pride ourselves in our ability to distil large amounts of complex information into concise, usable and actionable reports, relevant to both policy and practitioner audiences.
EVALUATIONS
We understand that in the context of tightening budgets and scare resources it is becoming increasingly important to spend money on ‘what works’. The RTK offers a range of services including impact, process and implementation evaluations. We are committed to understanding and meeting the needs of our clients to ensure we provide them with a clear understanding of where their services are delivering desired impact. Our evaluations typically incorporate a range of approaches, triangulating data to deliver high quality, robust reports.
DATA AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
At the RTK we are passionate about harnessing the power of data. We help managers use data to inform key spending decisions, giving them the confidence that money goes to services that really make a difference to end users. We believe strongly in capacity building. We see our role as enabling clients to collect and analyse their own data that they can use to manage delivery effectively. Our model of partnership working means we can equip teams with the skills to identify and monitor the difference their services make to the communities, customers and stakeholders they serve. We help accurately monetise the value of outputs so that our clients can use cost benefit data to drive outcomes based budgeting decisions.
Testimonials
The General Medical Council (GMC) commissioned the RTK to conduct research to inform a revision of their Gateways to the Professions guidance. This mixed-methods research involved conducting a survey and depth interviews with a mix of stakeholders from medical schools and postgraduate medical education providers. Despite the complex landscape of medical education and the varied approaches to providing disability support, during the fieldwork phase the RTK were successful in identifying and recruiting challenging sample targets. The researchers were persistent and willing to adapt their approach in order to achieve this. The RTK met all agreed project milestones and delivered outputs on time and to budget. RTK presented the findings to our health and disability expert steering group. The research was received extremely positively, one member noting 'I think we can all agree this was an excellent thought-provoking piece of work'. The final report provides practical insight that is directly informing the revised Gateways guidance and wider GMC health and disability programme.
