These protocols summarise plans for a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K), a therapeutically-informed group recovery programme for children aged 3-11 and their non-perpetrating parent who has experienced domestic abuse, where the parent is not living with or in a relationship with the perpetrating partner, and not receiving other domestic abuse support.
This evaluation is part of the Domestic Abuse Evaluation Accelerator Fund, which seeks to build the evidence base around what works to tackle domestic abuse. A portion of the funding for these programmes was provided via the Evaluation Accelerator Fund run by the Evaluation Task Force, a joint Cabinet Office-HM Treasury unit providing specialist support to ensure evidence and evaluation sits at the heart of spending decisions. The findings from these evaluations will lay the foundations for the REACH Plan (Researching Effective Approaches for Children), a landmark five-year plan to find out what works to prevent domestic abuse and support child victims.
BB4K was developed by Parents and Children Together (PACT), and has been delivered in the South-East of England since 2010. The primary aim of BB4K is to improve outcomes for children and their non-perpetrating parent, helping them to recover from the impact of domestic abuse, and equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to develop relationships which keep them safe.
Each BB4K group supports eight pairs of parents and children, and includes eight weekly themed sessions (1:1 sessions for 3-5 year olds). Each parental session takes place simultaneously with the child’s session, which facilitates parents’ support for their child through their recovery journey. Themes of the sessions include:
We have commissioned IFF Research to conduct a pilot RCT of BB4K, consisting of an impact evaluation, an implementation and process evaluation, and a cost evaluation. The study will investigate whether there are signs of promise the BB4K is having a positive effect on outcomes, how the programme is being delivered, and whether the pilot RCT methodology is suitable for evaluating BB4K and similar interventions.
The impact evaluation will investigate whether there are signs of promise that the intervention is having an impact on outcomes of interest, and will explore the viability of a full-scale evaluation. This component of the research will investigate the difference in outcomes between parent-child dyads who receive BB4K compared to a waitlist control group, according to the following outcomes:
The implementation and process evaluation (IPE) will assess delivery during the rollout of BB4K across the sites , providing a complimentary understanding and explanation for any identified treatment effects, or lack thereof. The IPE will also identify key barriers and facilitators to successful delivery, and improve understanding of the model.
The cost evaluation will aim to understand the additional costs, and, where possible, the benefits of the programme compared to if it was not delivered.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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