Putting Outcomes into Practice: The Implementation of a Framework of Outcome Measures within a Child and Family Service

• Published in: The British journal of social work 2024-09, Vol.54 (6), p.2378-2395
• Main Authors: Flynn, Susan, Lakkshme Sundaresan, Sowmia, Caffrey, Louise
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accountability; Child welfare; Children; Complex organizations; Cost analysis; Efficiency; Evidence-based practice; Families & family life; Grass roots movement; Implementation; Literature reviews; Measures; Qualitative research
• ISSN: 0045-3102; 1468-263X
• DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcae037

Abstract Of utmost concern for effective child protection and child and family services is evidence-based practice. There is an onus of accountability on providers of therapeutic services to establish the merit and cost efficiency of their work. Developing standardised evidence-based outcome measures for children and families, towards which the service provider can strive, is assuredly required as a yardstick against which progress can be measured and modified. Yet, outcome measures will only work in conducive organisational conditions. Specifically, to operationalise a suite of outcome measures into a complex organisation, from administrative policy to grassroots practice, requires understanding of barriers and facilitators of implementation. Through funded research, we investigate these factors within the implementation of a new outcomes framework in a European child and family service. Following a literature review exercise, qualitative research findings from two focus groups targeted, respectively, at the managerial and front line practitioner level, illuminate complex conditions and underlying mechanisms, as well as attitudinal, resource and knowledge factors upon which implementation is predicated. We conclude with recommendations around establishing sustainable conditions and arrangements in organisations, to ensure outcome measures act as effective instruments, rather than costly and dispensable paper exercises. Child and family services where social workers are employed are increasingly required to be evidence-based in showing an impact and in showing value for money. One way that this can happen is by having clear outcomes for the service and then measuring how well the service meets those outcomes. In this research, we present findings of a study into the implementation of an outcomes framework in one child and family service. We share learning about what works and what doesn’t work when trying to measure outcomes.