ESN Panel on Applied Evidence
The modernisation of social work is placing an increasing emphasis on evidence with regards to decision-making, service contracting, delivery and evaluation. In this context, the European Social Network (ESN) launched a Panel on Applied Evidence in Social Services.
Consisting of applied researchers and practitioners, the panel met for the first time last November to discuss how to define and measure impact, what type of evidence may be relevant for social services, and the evidence-based policy and practice phenomenon in selected countries.
Measuring impact in social services
When measuring impact, discussants highlighted that the aim and time frame of the social intervention helped to define measurement tools. They also emphasised the need to be aware of ‘political short-termism’ and the expectation that impact will be seen only at the end of an intervention.
Evaluation methods vary and depend highly on the context. The complexity of contexts and the lack of available data are often a challenge when measuring impact. Generating evidence in social work raises questions about how to make evidence accepted, accessible for all relevant stakeholders and accessed by all relevant stakeholders.
“Public authorities across Europe struggle to gather accurate data on what works, for what groups, at what costs, and with what effects. Decision-makers and practitioners need data and effective evaluation designs that are flexible enough to be implemented in a variety of contexts.”
Alfonso Lara Montero, ESN Policy Director
Evidence base in Denmark and the Netherlands
Steffen Bohni from the National Board of Social Services in Denmark described the work they have undertaken to develop a systematic, long-term approach to knowledge management. This strategy aims to build up administrative and organisational capacities to manage evidence, build partnerships with the community of researchers and practitioners around a common understanding, and improve decision-making.
“There is a long implementation chain between policy formulation and service delivery, from the national ministry to service users, local authorities and service providers. It is important to involve them all in order to understand what information they need to make evidence-based decisions”. Steffen Bohni, Head of Division, National Board of Social Services, Denmark
In the Netherlands, the Centre for Social Development (MOVISIE) has developed a database on social work evidence-based interventions in order to support decision-makers in choosing interventions for a particular group. Martijn Bool, Senior Advisor at the Centre, explained that interventions are classified into three levels, which are also linked to the evidence of their effectiveness. However, as highlighted by Mr. Bool, “with only 5 interventions having reached the highest level, this process shows how challenging it is to identify practices with high levels of effectiveness.”
Next steps
In 2015 the ESN Panel on Applied Evidence will meet again to discuss the main elements and the usefulness of evaluation frameworks for social services interventions, and assess challenges and opportunities in regards to their implementation. A report with main findings will follow later in the year.