Advanced
search

To read this content please select one of the options below:

Routine outcome monitoring of evidence-based parenting programmes: indications of effectiveness in a community context

Alison Hurst (Data Manager, based at Child Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.)
Anna Price (Associate Research Fellow, based at Child Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK)
Rebecca Walesby (Helping Children Achieve Coordinator, based at Child Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK)
Moira Doolan (Lead for interventions, Helping Children Achieve Study, National Academy for Parenting Research, Kings College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK)
Wendy Lanham (Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Head of the Early Intervention Parenting Programme, Children and Families, City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust, London, UK)
Tamsin Ford (Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, based at Child Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK)

Journal of Children's Services

ISSN: 1746-6660

Article publication date: 12 March 2014

617

Abstract

Purpose

Despite an increasing policy focus, routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is not common practice in UK children's services. This paper aims to examine whether it is feasible and valid to use measures from ROM of evidence-based parenting programmes (EBPPs) to assess the impact of services and to drive service improvements through feedback mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a secondary analysis of ROM measures collected from a London clinic offering EBPPs over five years. Demographic information from referrals was compared for attendees and non-attendees. Changes in parent reported child behaviour were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Findings

No significant differences were found in socio-demographic characteristics of attendees and non-attendees. Statistically significant differences were found between pre- and post-scores on parent reported SDQ scores and VAS concerns, as well as the SDQ Added Value Score. The data collected did not allow for investigation of a dose-response relationship between the level of attendance and any improvement made.

Originality/value

This study illustrates that ROM can provide useful information about the impact of EBPPs in a particular clinical context. Demographic data could support service managers to evaluate reach and uptake while evidence of improvements can be communicated back to parents and support future funding bids. Incomplete data limited the inferences that could be drawn, and collaborations between research centres and clinics may be a way to optimise the use of ROM to drive service improvement and innovation.

Keywords

Citation

Hurst, A., Price, A., Walesby, R., Doolan, M., Lanham, W. and Ford, T. (2014), "Routine outcome monitoring of evidence-based parenting programmes: indications of effectiveness in a community context", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 58-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-09-2013-0030

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles

Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

Join us on our journey