An update on the evaluation

7th November 2011Graham Thom and Meera Prabhakar

Outline

An introduction to the evaluation The team Our overarching approach Timetable

Initial scoping research The basic shape of the programme Target families Recruitment of families

Implications for the evaluation approach

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The team3

Our overarching approach4

Coverage of depth of P

athfinder work

Scoping: map out the shape of the Pathfinder Programme and co-produce the approach

Timetable

Year 1 Year 2Q3

(Sept/Oct to Dec)

Q4 (Jan to

March)

Q1 (April to June)

Q2 (July to Sept)

Q3 (Oct to Dec)

Q4 (Jan to Apr)

Scoping phase

Monitoring data (and SDQ)

Work and satisfaction survey

Case studies

Quant survey

Start to be clarified

E-survey of providers

Reporting

Initial scoping work

Undertaken a review of the Pathfinder applicationsAnalysed Pathfinder responses to the Evaluation

scoping questionsBegun discussions with a number of the sites that

expressed interest in forming part of the in-depth case study research

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The basic shape of the programme

20 Pathfinder sites made up of 31 areas 6 consortia

Optional elements Personal budgets – 100% (all sites) Banded funding – 20% of sites (4 sites) Age range and employment – 50% (10 sites) Support to vulnerable children – 55% (11 sites) Support to parents and young people – 70% (14 sites)

Initial indications show…

Majority of areas are targeting Across the age ranges Both new and existing cases Children and young people with or who require an SEN

statement Children and young people with complex and moderate levels of

need

Recruitment of families Mixture of targeted and call for volunteers Majority to begin recruitment early Jan 2012 But with variation in the time expected to be taken to develop

Single Plans

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Issues to consider…

Describing the new assessment and planning processes

Recruitment of families to the Pathfinder

Case study selection

Development of appropriate outcome and impact measures at a national level

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Initial categorisation of the new processes

Assessment Single assessment episode Initial assessment by one agency, systematically topped up by other

agencies Single assessment episode supplemented by ad hoc specialist

assessment Set of assessment (by different agencies) being brought together Others?

Planning Single planning event between all relevant professionals and the family Multiple stage planning event Planning coordinator creates plan with family and seeks professional

input from relevant agencies Others?

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Recruitment of families

How firm are your recruitment plans Especially to end of September 2012? Possibility of over / under – recruitment?

How do you intend to recruit those families?

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Case study selection

Scale – recruitment of sufficient no of families Ability to recruit a comparator group of families

Mix of single and consortium sitesCoverage of optional elementsMix of rural/urbanConsideration of outliers e.g. focus on children with mild

needsWillingness to participate

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Initial thoughts on high level outcome measures

The family and young person experience… …feeling they are at the centre of the process …less repetition …better communication with staff …a reduced no of contacts …increased transparency in the system …more choice and control of the content of the Single Plan …independence of assessment …satisfaction with the process and the Single Plan development

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Initial thoughts on short term impacts

The family experience… …increased accessibility to services …being more at ease in managing service/support provision …improved access to more appropriate services …improved quality of provision in response to need …fewer unmet needs identified …an increased user satisfaction with service provision …improved quality of provision in response to need

The child/young person improve their… …enjoyment of school / education …attendance at school …behaviour and motivation in general/at school …relationships with staff and peers …perceptions of health and wellbeing

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Initial thoughts on medium term impacts

The family experiences… …increased control over their daily lives …a more calm/less disorganised family home life …more confidence in the safety of the child at home and outside …improved quality of life …greater strength and togetherness …improved economic wellbeing …improved quality of life

The child/young person improved their… …educational attainment …likelihood of entering employment/training post 16 …readiness for entering a new education setting

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Contact

Graham Thom

Associate Director

SQW

t. 07716 916897

e. gthom@sqw.co.uk

w. www.sqw.co.uk

Meera Prabhakar

Senior Consultant

SQW

t. 020 7307 7151

e. mprabhakar@sqw.co.uk

w. www.sqw.co.uk