The South West Observatory (SWO) is a network of experts sharing resources and working towards a common vision that all policy and decision making in and about the region is based on sound evidence.
SWO aims to be the first stop shop for intelligence in, and about, the South West. Access to one part of the network gives access to all of it.
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SWO is a network, whose members work in data, analysis and research for publicly funded bodies, based mostly within the South West.
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At a regional level, SWO is composed of Modules, providing thematic expertise on the Economy, the Environment, Planning, Skills and Learning, Public Health and Culture. The Modules are teams of experts working within the South West RDA, the Environment Agency, South West Councils, Marchmont Observatory, the South West Public Health Observatory and South West Cultural Executive Board.
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At a local level, Local Intelligence Networks (LINs), mostly co-ordinated by officers from upper-tier authorities, span the South West from Cornwall to Gloucestershire and provide SWO with its local analysis.
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The SWO network also extends to the ONS Regional Presence, South West Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the national Association of Regional Observatories (ARO).
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At the centre of SWO the Core Unit (based in Taunton), a company limited by guarantee, develops and co-ordinates the network to support and enhance the work of its members.
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SWO is a network of experts employed or otherwise financially supported by a number of public bodies across the region and its parts.
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The SWO Core Unit is a social enterprise; a not for dividend company limited by guarantee. It currently receives grant funding from the South West RDA, South West Councils and the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (RIEP) as well as generating income from commissions and other services.
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For a full breakdown of funding, please see the SWO Annual Report available by clicking on the link in the right of this page.
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SWO is a shared resource for everyone interested in evidence to support policy and decision making in, and about, the South West.
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SWO promotes the best use of evidence in policy making.
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As a network, SWO shares expertise on issues and resources relating to data, analysis and research. This creates efficiencies by avoiding duplication, doing once for all, sharing best practice and enabling collaboration and joint commissioning.
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Through joint working SWO produces publications, and events that support the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of public policy.
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Through a networked ‘helpdesk’ and interlinked websites, SWO gives access to, and aids understanding of, information at all levels in the South West.
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SWO produces the State of the South West report. This collaborative project gives up-to-date analysis of the facts and figures behind life in the region and is the foundation of a shared evidence base for the region and its parts.
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SWO stimulates debate around evidence-based policy and decision making and has contributed to the better understanding and use of evidence through its Annual Conference, Policy Seminars and technical workshops.
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SWO continues to develop a new approach to working collaboratively in response to common policy drivers. For instance, SWO supports Local Authorities in the South West by co-ordinating evidence work for Local Economic Assessments.
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In due course a PDF SWO FactSheet will be available in the right-hand column of this page.
