A Practical Guide to Outcome Evaluation

Book excerpt: *Highly Commended in the Health and Social Care category of the 2011 BMA Medical Book Awards* For those involved in commissioning and running projects working with people, measuring performance and assessing outcomes are an essential part of applying for and maintaining funding, and a way of demonstrating the project's achievements. This versatile 'how to' book guides you through the process of evaluating your project in order to improve funding applications and build the case for your project's survival. The guidance in this book will help you to set out what the aims and projected outcomes of your project are, how these will be achieved, and shows you how to capture evidence for outcomes. To cater for readers working in different settings, a broad range of case examples is used including youth groups with at-risk young people, a refuge for women who have suffered domestic violence, a road safety education programme and midwives encouraging new mothers to stop smoking. The book also includes a host of practical features designed to provide a deeper understanding of the subject, including activities, reflective tools, and a glossary of key terms. A Practical Guide to Outcome Evaluation will help to ensure the success of projects that make a difference to people's lives, and will be an essential reference for managers and practitioners working in people-orientated professions including social work, health, teaching, youth work, criminal justice, the arts and the emergency services.