The NSPCC evaluates the services we provide to children and families, so we can learn, improve and understand our impact.
This independent review, led by Dartington Service Design, included evaluation research from over 40 NSPCC programmes. It covers findings from the last decade, including:
The report also suggests how the NPSCC might build on their current evidence base.
The NSPCC has created important evidence in the design, delivery and evaluation of effective response programmes. Evaluations over the past 10 years have found improvements in a number of outcomes, including: risk of abuse; depression and anxiety; child social-emotional and behavioural development; and parent-child relationships.
Despite having built an impressive body of evidence, there are still gaps in our understanding of what works for whom and in what conditions when it comes to preventing and responding to child abuse. There are new approaches the NSPCC could adopt to address these gaps.
The report found that the NSPCC is one of the few organisations who could strategically pursue a common elements approach in relation to child protection. This involves testing theories around elements of service practice, which can support the outcomes we want to see for children.
Please cite as: NSPCC, Dartington Service Design Lab (2021) 10+ years of evaluation research at NSPCC: what have we learned? London: NSPCC.
