Respect outcome assessment tool
Respect programme outcome assessment tool
Download a copy of the whole system document HERE
Programmes are increasingly asked to provide evidence of programme effects. Practitioners working with men want to find out if their work is having an effect. Women's services want to be able to scrutinise the work fairly. Funders want to know what their money is being spent on and the Respect Accreditation Standard requires programmes to collect, analyse and use data about programme outcomes, so that programmes can develop from a solid base of evidence.
We have worked with a group of practitioners and researchers to develop a Respect outcome assessment tool for programmes to use to collect data systematically over a period of time, ideally for 18 months starting from the first point of contact with the programme.
This tool is based partly on the Dobash inventories of abuse, which many practitioners are familiar with. These were used in the evaluation of the Scottish programmes carried out by Rebecca Dobash and Russell Dobash and colleagues in the 1990s. The Dobashes and their colleague Jon Shute at Manchester University have worked with us to adapt these for use by practitioners and others as part of internal evaluation.
How to use the tool
There are full instructions contained in the document describing the background to the tool, also containing the full interview questionnaire and instructions for use. You can download this full document: click here.
There will be Respect training on using the outcome assessment system during 2009, linked to training on using the database. If you want to use the tool, please do let me know so that I can provide you with help, advice and training and so that you can give me suggestions (See below).
Adding information to the Respect database
The Respect client management and outcome assessment database has a specific page for your records of interviews with partners of programme participants. This will link the information to the individual client and to the programme attendance etc of their partner. The outcome assessment works best if you are linking the information to the group attendance, risk management and other information about the programme participant as well as the victim.
Analysis
We can help you analyse the findings and will also combine anonymous data to provide a national picture of outcomes.
Suggestions
We are testing this system out and would very much like to hear suggestions for amendments. The questionnaire focuses on physical violence and injuries as these are often the questions funders most want to know, but also contains other questions about controlling behaviour and fear. We are trying to balance the need for data with the intrusion into women's lives and want to try to find something which works for people using the service and people working in it as well as for research purposes. There is no point doing research if it doesn't help practice. There is a feedback form for you to give me your feedback on how the questionnaire works for you and I will be setting up a message board early in 2009 for more immediate discussion amongst practitioners.
Contact:
Thangam Debbonaire and Dr Chris Newman, Respect Evaluation Project Managers (job shares)
Thangam Debbonaire: thangam.debbonaire@respect.uk.net