In an era when program evaluation is often a requirement of funding, this can generate a significant amount of stress and frustration for organisations. Without the tools to address these issues an organisation's ability to demonstrate to funding bodies the positive impact of the work they undertake may be compromised. In the context of a busy service delivery environment these challenges can be overwhelming for program staff. For example, collecting data directly from young children (i.e., 6 years and under) that accurately and authentically reflect their experience can be difficult because traditional methods of data collection (e.g., surveys and interviews) are usually not appropriate or effective.
There are multiple challenges associated with collecting data from children (Christian, Pearce, Roberson, & Rothwell, 2010). Collecting data from parents who speak languages other than English can be difficult if bilingual staff and/or interpreters are not available/appropriate. Parents may, for example, be wary of sharing information with service providers.
However, collecting data from parents and children can be challenging. The benefits of child and family services collecting data directly from parents and children, rather than relying upon external evaluators, are multiple and include the potential for evaluation to become more deeply embedded in organisational culture as well as cost-savings (Spooner, Flaxman, & Murray, 2008). Although in some cases child and family services will not be involved in the collection of data (e.g., when the evaluation of a program is conducted by an external evaluator), for most, this will be required at some stage. This Practice Sheet does not seek to replicate these pre-existing resources, rather, it focuses on one particular aspect of evaluation that can prove challenging for service providers: the collection of data directly from parents and children. There is a range of resources available for Australian-based child and family service providers to develop their knowledge of and capacity to undertake evaluation (e.g., Parker, 2010a-f). In addition to demonstrating the effectiveness of a program, evaluation findings can be used for a range of purposes, including supporting applications for new or continued funding and contributing to the broader evidence-base about what does and does not work for clients (Parker, 2010f). Why is collecting data from parents and children for the purpose of evaluation important for child and family services?Ĭhild and family services are well aware of the importance of evaluation - the "systematic process of determining whether (and how) program achieves its objectives" (Parker, 2010a, p.
involve children and parents in the evaluation process.become familiar with techniques for collecting data from children and.be aware of issues relating to consent, privacy and confidentiality when collecting data from children.become familiar with culturally competent evaluation.Four key methods that child and family services can use to assist them in collecting data from children and parents for the purposes of evaluation are:.Being heard and listened to as respected citizens in their own right enhances children's feelings of importance in their community. Despite the challenges associated with collecting data from parents and children, the process provides parents and children with an opportunity to be heard.Furthermore, collecting data directly from young children (i.e., 6 years and under) can be difficult because traditional methods of data collection (e.g., surveys and interviews) are usually not appropriate or effective. Collecting data from parents who speak languages other than English can be challenging if bilingual staff and/or interpreters are not available. For example, parents may be wary of sharing information with service providers. Collecting data from children and parents for the purposes of evaluation can be challenging for service providers.Many child and family services will be required to collect data from children and/or parents for the purposes of evaluation.
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