Use of evidence-based tools and guidance in service design and commissioning

Use of evidence-based tools and guidance in service design and commissioning

Summary

This protocol summarises plans for an audience-research project to inform the creation of both a new Foundations Toolkit and set of Practice Guides.

Who, what, why and how?

This small-scale audience-research project has three aims:

  • the project will facilitate the development of the Toolkit and set of Practice Guides.
  • the findings will be used to inform our thinking into how the Toolkit and Practice Guides are being used for service design and commissioning purposes.
  • the project will inform us of the barriers and facilitators in using evidence to inform decision-making processes in children’s social care.

We hope to recruit participants, typically at senior level, across a diverse range of local authorities.

Our methodology is predominantly qualitative, using both focus groups and interviews. There will also be a survey component, as well as a rapid evidence review to identify what is already known about the efficacy of evidence stores, and what can hinder or facilitate their usage.

Research Questions

  1. What does service design and (de)commissioning process for services targeted to support families and children look like in different teams/directorates within local authorities and health partners? 
  2. What are the capability, opportunity, and motivation barriers and enablers to designing and commissioning evidence-based programmes for different stakeholders involved in making service design and commissioning decisions? 
  3. What are the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the legacy WWCSC Evidence Store and the legacy EIF Guidebook? 
  4. How (if at all) do tools and guidance on evidenced-based programmes and evidence-based Practice Guides influence service design and commissioning and development of practice models? 
  5. What are the barriers to using and applying What Works Centre evidence guidance (e.g., from Toolkits and guidance) and what needs to happen to overcome them? 

Evaluation partners

Learn more

Due Date

This project is due to be completed by March 2024.
SHARE

Use of evidence-based tools and guidance in service design and commissioning Research Protocol

Download

Related Projects

See all projects

Service and practice models

An implementation and process evaluation of Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH)

Learn More

Service and practice models

An umbrella review of parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children and young people with disabilities

Learn More
Alliance House
Third Floor
12 Caxton Street
Westminster
London
SW1H 0QS
Linkedin
About Us
Our Strategy
Priority Areas
Our Team
Join our team
EDIE
Our Partners
Our Work
Publications
Tools
Current Projects
Reducing Parental Conflict Hub
Opportunities
Funding
Other Opportunities
News & Blogs
Events & Webinars
Press
Contact
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Data Archive
Foundations 2025. Foundations, the national What Works Centre for Children & Families is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 12136703 and charity number 1188350.

Cost ratings:

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.

Click here for more information.

Child Outcomes:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.

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.

Evidence ratings:

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.

Click here for more information.