Medway Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme Evaluation and Brand Awareness Survey
Task
The Children and Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme aims to join up and enhance services delivered through transformed Family Hubs in local authority areas, to ensure that families can access the assistance they need. The programme aims to provide support to parents/carers to help them to nurture their children and babies to improve education and health outcomes, as well as contributing to a reduction in inequalities experienced by families across England, with a particular focus on those who are in most need or cannot access help. Additionally, the programme seeks to build an evidence base for what works when it comes to improving outcomes for babies, children, and families in different delivery contexts.
TONIC was commissioned by Medway Council to develop and deliver an evaluation to explore the perceived impact of commissioned services implemented through the programme, as well as conducting work to assess the level of brand awareness.
Our Approach
TONIC’s evaluation utilised a mixed-methods design, consisting of a three-month period of fieldwork to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. During this time, TONIC conducted in person site visits to each of the Children and Family Hubs. The primary method of data collection was in-depth interviews with parents/carers, professionals and external stakeholders. Alongside this, an online survey, which was open to the general public, examined the level of brand awareness. TONIC was granted access to quantitative data of service activity and feedback collected by providers to triangulate with primary source data. All data collection and analysis was guided by overarching research questions that were developed in collaboration with commissioners from Medway Council.
Engagement with participants was promoted through posters, and across social media channels, with the contact details of key professionals and external stakeholders gathered through a stakeholder mapping exercise conducted during the initial phase of the evaluation. Qualitative data was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step method of thematic analysis, exploring themes emerging across survey responses and interview transcripts with an inductive, evidence-based method.
Outcome
The feedback from professionals and parents/carers indicated that a positive contributor to the continuity of service use was due to committed and passionate staff. It was highlighted that strong multi-agency collaboration ensured seamless service delivery and integration. Furthermore, services were praised for their innovative, flexible and tailored approach to addressing family needs.
There were some obstacles faced by the programme that participants highlighted throughout the evaluation. For example, a lack of comprehensive service mapping has led to concerns about duplication within the programme’s services. Furthermore, the co-location of services at Children and Family Hubs have presented challenges that requires careful coordination, particularly as reaching and engaging families in underrepresented communities has been identified as a notable issue. Uncertainty around future funding was identified as a threat. Service users and providers emphasised the importance of strong project management for the successful implementation and delivery of the programme.
Considering these findings, TONIC proposed 10 actionable recommendations. These included:
Further enhancing multi-agency working to foster strong communication to maintain successful outcomes
Prioritising investment in workforce development
Continuing to promote the programme across Medway to increase uptake amongst families
Conducting a comprehensive service mapping to mitigate for duplication
Creating a more user-friendly pathway to access commissioned services
Considering targeting strategies to increase engagement with families regardless of location, background or ability
Enhancing the effectiveness of the parent/carer co-production panel by introducing clear definitions and purpose
Reflecting on national collaboration and networking opportunities
Improving data recording and reporting practices
Increasing ways for families to provide feedback.