‘Mind the gap': extending outcome measurement for accountability and meaningful innovation

Rebecca E. Johnson
,
Gary Kerridge
,
Hayley Alderson
,
Graeme Currie
,
Seana Friel
,
Carrie Harrop

University of Birmingham
,
University of Warwick
,
Newcastle University
,
Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR)
,
Loughborough University
,
University College London

Research Output:

Contribution to journal

Article

Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

We examine the outcome measurement landscape in care leaver innovation, where many innovations to support transitions of young people leaving care fail to sustain beyond a fixed-term pilot, and fewer impact wider transition policies. Our empirical qualitative study comprises interviews with 31 senior UK children’s social care policy and practice professionals, 103 interviews across five innovation-focused case studies within England with a range of public and private providers. We consider these data in relation to evaluations from a nationally diffused social care innovation. We identified three measurement landscape challenges. First, we highlight the limits of the economically-oriented measurement and identify an overlooked outcome measurement demand. Second, we emphasise a need to stratify care leaver population outcomes to better reflect individuals transition through different domains of life and trajectory. Third, we identify areas of precarity around intended use of care leaver experience. We conclude that tensions exist between the pull toward a unified approach to outcome measurement and the reality of decoupled outcome requirements and legitimacy-seeking priorities which differ according to stakeholder. These tensions entrench stagnant innovation. Recognition of roles and legitimacies that exist across the process of care leaver innovation is warranted. Opportunities for action are discussed.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:

Contribution to journal

Article

Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 2067-2086 (20 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

British Journal of Social Work (Volume 54, Issue 5)

Publication milestones

Accepted/In press - 14/02/2024
Published - 04/03/2024

Publication status

Published - 04/03/2024

ISSN

0045-3102

Publication IDs

handle.net: 10547/626187
Scopus: 85200908711

Access to documents

10.1093/bjsw/bcae020

final published version

Final published version, 689.8 KB

License:CC BY

https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance-article/doi/10.1093/bjsw/bcae020/7618940

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