Independent evaluation and audit

“The MTFCE programme [...] is acquiring a solid body of knowledge and expertise about the considerable benefits and challenges of setting up an evidence based multi-agency programme for looked after young people in England. The ongoing audit and rigorous research trial will confirm the success or otherwise of this programme in achieving the hoped for outcomes.” – MTFCE National Team

The innovative MTFCE programme is being monitored in a two-pronged effort by an Independent evaluation and an internal audit, studying its effectiveness and its impact as it is implemented across the UK.

Independent evaluation

The DCSF is funding a research project, including a randomised control trial, that is evaluating the MTFC-A pilot programme as it runs in 15 local authorities in England. This independent evaluation is being conducted jointly by the universities of York and Manchester.

The study is entitled Care Placement Evaluation (CaPE) and it evaluates the impact of treatment foster care on the outcomes for young people looked after by the authorities.

The CaPE study was launched in 2004 parallel to the MTFC-A pilot programme and it is due to be concluded in July 2010.

Its aims are twofold; to study the impact of MTFC-A on outcomes for vulnerable young people and to develop methods of evaluation for social care interventions that could support the case for further funding for this area in the future.

CaPE is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) which aims to compare outcomes for two randomly selected groups of young people with complex needs aged 10-16. In particular CaPE will compare outcomes for:

1. Young people entering Treatment Foster Care placements
2. Young people entering other types of placement usually available to this group of young people with complex needs

Audit

The local MTFCE teams are collecting audit data on admission and at discharge for all children and young people placed in the programme and the National Team is collating and analysing this data.

The data provides the National Team and individual teams with general information regarding the status of children entering and leaving MTFCE. This includes information on demographics, previous placements, the frequency and nature of contact with the birth family, the type and severity of high risk behaviours exhibited by the young people, the educational attendance and attainment of young people and criminal offences committed by the young people.

As the number of children entering the programme increases, information concerning outcomes – including some indications of the factors contributing to successful placements and treatment outcomes – will be evaluated.

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