Outcomes into Practice

Researchers: Elinor Nicholas

Funder: Department of Health Outcomes Programme

Duration: August 2002 to March 2004

The Outcomes into Practice Network was created in March 2000. It's aim was to foster the exchange of information, mutual support and learning for those wishing to find practical ways of implementing person-centred, outcomes focused practice, and performance management systems within their localities. Members could participate through a web site, an email discussion list and regular workshops (approximately 3 per year) on topics of mutual interest.

The network is now maintained by the Better Commissioning Network of the Health and Social Care Change Agent Team at the Department of Health. It aims to be a the real 'community of interest' for practitioners interested in the development of an outcomes approach to service provision. Information about workshops and conferences, links to useful resources and email contact with sources of help and expertise are all available by following this link to the Outcomes Network's site (external site)

Resource Pack

A resource pack was developed in consultation with the Outcomes into Practice Network (2000-2003). It offered hard-pressed managers a means of easily accessing the key messages, practical tools and training materials emerging from the Outcomes Programme 1996-2000. The pack targeted social services managers and trainers in the first instance, but aimed to be relevant and useful for engaging a range of staff from social care, health and other agencies in outcomes-related developments. The resource pack discussed some key messages from a five year programme of research and development work. The programme aimed to find practical ways to enable the outcomes of social care to become more central to routine practice and evaluation of services. It involved:

Collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including older people, disabled adults of working age, carers, front-line staff and managers in social services
A central focus on the user's and carer's perspective
Developing and testing tools to fit with existing practice (e.g. tools for assessment, individual reviews/service evaluation, briefing providers)

The resource pack is no longer available. It is out of print.

Resource pack flyer (72KB)

Link to further details about the Outcomes into Practice Resource Pack

Publications

2004

Developing outcome-focused practice: examining the process, 2004
Nicholas, E. and Qureshi, H., Research, Policy and Planning, 22, 3, 1-14.

2003

Outcomes into Practice: Focusing practice and information on the outcomes people value - a resource pack for managers and trainers, 2003
Nicholas, E., Qureshi, H. and Bamford, C., Social Policy Research Unit.

Academic coverage

Journal of Integrated Care, 13, 6, December 2005. Focusing on outcomes: their role in partnership policy and practice.

"A linked sequence of projects under the DoH-funded Outcomes research programme at the Social Policy Research Unit, York (SPRU) is of particular significance, both for its emphasis on identification of the outcomes salient to service users and carers themselves (Qureshi, 2001), and for the promotion of evaluation based on these outcomes to be incorporated into routine practice (Nicholas et al, 2003) ... "