Does Communities that Care work? An evaluation of a community-based risk prevention programme in three neighbourhoods

Description

This is the final report of the five-year evaluation of the first three demonstration projects funded under the CTC early intervention programme.

The report describes what happened in each of the three areas, what was delivered as a result of CTC activity and what changes, if any, took place as aresult of CTC demonstration projects.

It concludes by drawing together the main findings of the evaluation, recommendations for CTC and lessons for future policy implementation in the area of early intervention and prevention for children and their families.

Background information

The CTC early intervention programme was funded by JRF in the mid-1990s. It targets children living in communities and families that are deemed to put them at risk of developing social problems.

The CTC approach focuses on specific geographical areas and involves bringing together local community representatives, professionals working in the area and senior managers responsible for service management who given training and provided with evidence of the levels of risk and protection in their community. From this they design an action plan that seeks to enhance existing services or introduce new ones likely to reduce risk.

Methodology

An evaluation of the first three CTC projects in the UK incorporating a before and after design to evaluate impact.

Conclusions

The report captures important learning and knowledge about the processes involved in implementing CTC. Available evidence on impact was felt to be inconclusive – CTC is a long-term programme and aims may only be realised over the period it takes for a generation of young children to grow-up. A longer-term evaluation will be needed in order to measure change in key risk and protective factors.

Contact info

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Project finished

2004

Researcher

Iain Crow, Alan France, Sue Hacking and Mary Hart

Document type

research