Outcomes

“What is the difference between measuring an outcome and “auditing” a placement?”

This is a question which Bryn Melyn Care is currently asking Heads of Childrens Services, Commissioners, Social Workers and even the DCSF. We understand and indeed welcome scrutiny and measurement of how much change a young person can achieve through the interventions of a placement. But what tolls and indicators are the most appropriate to use? What may be a significant even life saving change in behaviour for one young person may not even register on a generic measurement scale.

This is a key question for us because we work with young people with significant difficulties and complex needs. Any measurement indicator needs to be in the context of the starting point for each young person. We should look to measure the degree of change over time to be able to accurately reflect on the success of our practice.

For the last 18 months Bryn Melyn Care has used an internal model, our Multi-Dimensional Outcomes Measurement (M-DOM). This captures information from 3 strands – the scoring of objectives on the placement plan, the use of HoNOSCA scores and then a 3rd psychological or health based score (such as MMPI or ERASOR) depending on the nature of the placement. Whilst this has been useful for us to look at internal progress it is not easy to produce statistical analysis or to make comparisons across different types of placement.

We are currently in discussion with an external academic institution to undertake a piece of work to design a new outcomes measurement tool. This is being informed by the feedback from Commissioners and Placement Teams, by the recent introduction of the National Contract for Residential Childcare and by the agenda from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Our aim is to produce a measurement tool which is both valid and reliable – a model which will be academically supported through research and will produce statistical data which will be useful to purchasers of our services. We know our services and interventions deliver real and lasting change – we now need a model to evidence this.

In the meantime, please take a moment to read some of our recent case studies to see how our work looks in practice.