The Alexi Project: CSEFA Hub and Spoke evaluation programme
Project:
Research
Project status
Finished
Description
The Alexi Project report details the evaluation of a programme of service development as it was rolled out through 16 new services, which were designed to extend the coverage and reach of child sexual exploitation (CSE) services in England. The 16 services were funded by the Child Sexual Exploitation Funders’ Alliance (CSEFA) and were all established by voluntary sector organisations that specialised in working with young people affected by CSE. Each service adopted a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model of service development, which involved an established voluntary sector CSE service (known as the ‘hub’), locating experienced project workers (known as ‘spokes’) in new service delivery areas. These spoke workers undertook a range of activities to improve CSE work locally, including individual casework and awareness-raising with children and young people, and consultancy, training and awareness-raising with professionals locally.
The evaluation adopted a realist approach. This focuses not just on whether programmes or interventions work, but on how or why they might do so (Pawson and Tilley, 1997 ). It takes a theory-driven approach to evaluation rather than concentrating on particular types of evidence or focusing on ‘before’ and ‘after’ type data. It starts from the principle that interventions in themselves do not either ‘work’ or ‘not work’ – rather it is the people involved in them and the skills, attitudes, knowledge and approach they bring, together with the influence of context and resources, that determine the outcomes generated.
The evaluation was undertaken between September 2013 and January 2017, exploring how the 16 services developed during a phased roll out. The evaluation team undertook extensive fieldwork at each site on two occasions (one visit for the final eight sites), including 276 interviews with Hub and Spoke staff, professionals locally from children’s services, police, and health, and with children and young people and parents/carers. In addition, quantitative data were collected (about numbers of young people and professionals reached), and spoke workers produced case studies about their work with young people.
The evaluation adopted a realist approach. This focuses not just on whether programmes or interventions work, but on how or why they might do so (Pawson and Tilley, 1997 ). It takes a theory-driven approach to evaluation rather than concentrating on particular types of evidence or focusing on ‘before’ and ‘after’ type data. It starts from the principle that interventions in themselves do not either ‘work’ or ‘not work’ – rather it is the people involved in them and the skills, attitudes, knowledge and approach they bring, together with the influence of context and resources, that determine the outcomes generated.
The evaluation was undertaken between September 2013 and January 2017, exploring how the 16 services developed during a phased roll out. The evaluation team undertook extensive fieldwork at each site on two occasions (one visit for the final eight sites), including 276 interviews with Hub and Spoke staff, professionals locally from children’s services, police, and health, and with children and young people and parents/carers. In addition, quantitative data were collected (about numbers of young people and professionals reached), and spoke workers produced case studies about their work with young people.
Project Information
Project Type
Research
Time Period
01/09/2015 – 31/08/2017Status
FinishedKey Findings
The evaluation found that the Hub and Spoke model was an effective approach for extending specialist child sexual exploitation (CSE) services into new areas, increasing both the reach and availability of support for children and young people affected by exploitation. The presence of specialist voluntary-sector practitioners improved local awareness, strengthened professional confidence in identifying and responding to CSE, and enhanced multi-agency collaboration.
The study highlighted the distinct value of voluntary-sector organisations in engaging young people through flexible, relationship-based approaches that fostered trust and sustained participation. Successful outcomes were linked to strong partnership working between voluntary and statutory agencies, clear local leadership, and adequate resources to support service development.
The evaluation also demonstrated that the effectiveness of service expansion depended on local context, including the strength of existing safeguarding arrangements and the capacity of partner agencies to embed specialist expertise. Overall, the project provided evidence that specialist CSE services can be successfully scaled through Hub and Spoke models while maintaining high-quality support for young people and improving local responses to exploitation.
The study highlighted the distinct value of voluntary-sector organisations in engaging young people through flexible, relationship-based approaches that fostered trust and sustained participation. Successful outcomes were linked to strong partnership working between voluntary and statutory agencies, clear local leadership, and adequate resources to support service development.
The evaluation also demonstrated that the effectiveness of service expansion depended on local context, including the strength of existing safeguarding arrangements and the capacity of partner agencies to embed specialist expertise. Overall, the project provided evidence that specialist CSE services can be successfully scaled through Hub and Spoke models while maintaining high-quality support for young people and improving local responses to exploitation.
Funding Details
CSEFA Hub and Spoke evaluation programmeAward
FundersAmounts
Lankelly Chase
304749 GBPDocuments and links
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions