Linking prevention science and community engagement: a case study of the Ireland Disadvantaged Children and Youth Programme
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17466660200800011 |
| Date | 12 April 2008 |
| Published date | 12 April 2008 |
| Pages | 40-54 |
| Author | Nick Axford,Louise Morpeth,Michael Little,Vashti Berry |
| Subject Matter | Education,Health & social care,Sociology |
40
1Dartington Social
Research Unit, UK
2Dartington-i, UK
3Dartington Social
Research Unit,
UK and Chapin Hall
Center for Children,
University of
Chicago, US
4Dartington Social
Research Unit, UK
Journal of Children’s Services
Volume 3 Issue 2 September 2008
© Pavilion Journals (Brighton) Ltd
Abstract
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are acknowledged to provide the most reliable estimate of
programme effectiveness, yet relatively few are undertaken in children’s services. Consequently, there are
few models with a demonstrated impact on child well-being, leading to a concern not only that services
may frequently be ineffective but also that some may be harmful. This article considers how this state of
affairs has come into being and discusses potential remedies for improving both the knowledge base and
the quality of interventions. It focuses on ‘operating systems’ that link prevention science and community
engagement and so help communities, agencies and local authorities to choose effective prevention,
early intervention and treatment models. Specifically, it describes an attempt in Ireland to implement a
robust programme of research into children's health and development, to rigorously design new services,
evaluate their impact to the highest standard (using RCTs)and integrate the results into the policy
process. Based on the authors’ extensive first-hand experience of supporting the work, and the advice of
international experts, the article reflects critically on the unforeseen challenges and offers lessons for
others starting a similar enterprise.
Key words
community engagement; children’s health and development; operating systems; prevention science;
service design
Introduction
It is sobering to reflect on how much is done to support
children's health and development when the evidence
base in certain areas is so weak. Understanding about
the causes of impairments to children's psychosocial
development is poor compared to knowledge about
the causes of physical health problems. Evidence on
what works, for whom, when and why is also relatively
primitive. Yet policy and practice presses on largely
unhindered. As will be seen, much of what is done in
the name of children was designed in the absence of
any robust evidence of impact, and for many services
there is no logical explanation as to how outcomes
could be achieved – never mind rigorous evidence in
their favour. It is also rare to pay attention to the
potential for services to be harming children.
When evidence about the aetiology of child
development is brought to bear on children's
services, or where there is a determined effort to
design, implement and rigorously evaluate new
interventions, the effort and impact is frequently
Linking prevention science
and community engagement:
a case study of the Ireland
Disadvantaged Children and
Youth Programme
Nick Axford1, Louise Morpeth2, Michael Little3and Vashti Berry4
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