On the right track: Implementation
Posted March 28, 2019
Goal Evaluation Vignette: Distributed Leadership in the Goal Programme
Posted February 26, 2019
National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme - Appendices
Posted January 07, 2019
National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme – Summary Report
Posted December 19, 2018
National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme – Main Report
Posted December 18, 2018
Goal Evaluation Vignette: Project Selection for the Goal Programme
Posted November 27, 2018
Goal Evaluation Vignette: Distinctive Elements of the Goal Programme
Posted November 27, 2018
Implementation Guide and Toolkit for National Clinical Guidelines
Posted September 20, 2018
Clinical guidelines are developed to improve the health and safety of patients. While guidelines are informed by the best available evidence and strong quality criteria, it can be challenging to implement them. This guide and toolkit was produced by CES together with the National Clincal Effectiveness Committee (Department of Health) to support health professionals, managers and clinical staff to implement National Clinical Guidelines. The Guide contains a range of tools, which were adapted to meet the needs of staff involved in developing and implementing guidelines and the context in which they work.
‘15 Days’ – a story about collaborative problem solving in public services
Posted August 14, 2018
A story about the Youth Mental Health Pathfinder Project - a cross government approach to tackling youth mental health.
Impact of Alcohol Exploring the Learning from Elsewhere
Posted August 14, 2018
This is a review of selected examples of national and international best practice, entitled ‘Impact of Alcohol: Exploring the Learning from Elsewhere’. The review draws on interventions designed to support individuals at different stages in their relationship with alcohol from early intervention to chronic, long term use.
Impact of Alcohol: Capturing the Learning
Posted August 13, 2018
This is the second of three publications for the Big Lottery Impact of Alcohol programme. It presents the knowledge and learning developed or expanded upon during the programme. An implementation lens is used to explore the learning emerging at different stages of projects.
Impact of Alcohol Conference Report
Posted June 25, 2018
This is a report of the ‘Impact of Alcohol: What Next?’ Conference held in November 2017. A range of key stakeholders from the statutory and community sectors reflected on pertinent policy, commissioning and practice issues and delegates created a series of action plans aimed at tackling alcohol misuse more effectively.
Youth mental health in Ireland and Northern Ireland - An Access Evidence Animation
Posted May 24, 2018
This animation is based on a longer Access Evidence literature review about youth mental health in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Youth mental health in Ireland and Northern Ireland - An Access Evidence Literature Review
Posted March 28, 2018
Adolescence is a critical time for the development of youth mental health. This literature review draws from research literature on youth mental health, and data from services in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We identify some key messages about emerging trends in youth mental health in Ireland and Northern Ireland which are relevant to frontline practitioners working with children and young people, such as teachers, social workers and youth workers. We also highlight some findings from research on effective approaches, and implications for frontline practice.
Introductory Guide to Implementation
Posted August 17, 2017
This briefing, produced by CES in 2012, summarises the key terminology and concepts of implementation science. It lays out what implementation is, why it is important, and describes the core ideas such as implementation frameworks, stages, enablers and barriers. Short examples of successful implementation in Ireland, in both policy and practice settings, are used to illustrate these ideas.
This briefing summarises messages which appear consistently in the implementation literature, offering a useful introduction to those new to the field or those looking to refresh their understanding of the basic concepts.
Implementation Specialist Practice Profile
Posted August 15, 2017
This resource will be of interest to intermediary organisations who provide implementation support to policy makers, service providers and practitioners. It outlines the skills and competencies that implementation specialists need to build the capacity of practitioners and other groups, so that they can implement policies, interventions and approaches effectively. The Implementation Specialist Practice Profile was created in 2017 by the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) in the USA together with CES, and this is the first working draft of the profile.
An Implementation Case Study of Student Universal Support Ireland
Posted August 13, 2017
This report, produced by CES in 2015, documents the learning from implementation of the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) in 2012. The report analyses implementation of the scheme through the lens of implementation science concepts, such as stages and enablers. It examines the challenges of quickly implementing major reforms in the context of significant financial and staffing constraints. The report will be of particular interest to policymakers and commissioners who are considering or planning new programmes or major reforms.
Implementation Stages - Key Activities Tool
Posted August 11, 2017
This implementation stages tool was adapted by CES, with permission, from the work of the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) in the USA. It outlines the four stages of implementation in the Active Implementation Framework and provides examples of key activities at each stage.This tool will be useful for policymakers, service providers and practitioners involved at any stage of the implementation process.
Building Implementation Infrastructure - Assessment Tool
Posted August 09, 2017
This tool for assessing implementation infrastructure needs was adapted by CES, with permission, from the work of the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) in the USA. The tool provides an overview of several categories of implementation drivers relating to competency, organisations, and leadership. It then assists teams in identifying who is responsible for each driver, opportunities to influence change, and how each driver can be improved to better support implementation. This tool will be particularly useful for service providers and policymakers in the process of implementing a programme or policy.
Implementation in Action - Questions for Promoting Ongoing Improvement
Posted August 07, 2017
This tool for promoting ongoing improvement was adapted by CES, with permission, from the 2015 work of Allison Metz and colleagues at the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) in the USA. The tool asks seven questions which help to think through the process of generating sustained improvement at later stages of implementation. This tool can be reused periodically to generate continuous improvement cycles. It will be particularly useful for service providers, practitioners and implementation teams of policies and programmes that have already been established.
Stakeholder Engagement Tool
Posted August 05, 2017
This stakeholder engagement tool was created by CES and aims to help those implementing a policy or programme to plan for and manage the process of engaging with key stakeholders. It sets out tasks and questions for stakeholder identification, analysis and mapping. It also provides a template and checklist to help develop a stakeholder engagement plan. This tool will be particularly useful for service providers and policymakers in the process of implementing a programme or policy.
15 Days - The Toolkit
Posted August 02, 2017
A resource for practitioners interested in adapting an accelerated, collaborative problem-solving methodology.
ABC Programme Implementation Readiness Workshops
Posted August 01, 2017
This workshop was co-delivered by CES and the three Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative sites, to representatives from each of the thirteen ABC Programme Areas. Its purpose was to develop a common understanding of ‘implementation science’, assess the readiness in each of the areas and develop an action plan for supporting implementation. It introduces key themes within implementation science, including: implementation stages, implementation drivers, implementation teams and implementation cycles. This resource will be of particular interest to practitioners and service providers in the field of children and youth.
Podcast - Getting best practices into regular service settings
Posted July 26, 2017
This short podcast, produced by CES in 2011, features Karen Blasé from the National Implementation Research Network in the USA. It introduces the benefits of using an implementation science approach and offers several lessons for successful implementation. These include: the need to select, train and coach staff; the importance of having a team responsible for implementation; and the value of using appropriate measures to monitor implementation. It is a useful introduction to those new to implementation science.
Podcast - One Failed, One Flourished, One Folded: Applying Implementation Science Theory to Practice
Posted July 16, 2017
This podcast features Tom Jefford, Head of Service for Youth Support in Cambridgeshire County Council, speaking after a meeting of the Implementation Network of Ireland and Northern Ireland in November 2016. In this podcast, Tom discusses his 15 years of research and experience in implementing Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for families of youths with severe behavioural problems. He describes some of the challenges in implementing evidence based practice, and factors such as leadership, collaboration and organisational context, that make it sustainable. This podcast will be of interest to policymakers, service providers and commissioners who are implementing new programmes or practices.
Podcast - Implementation Teams
Posted June 30, 2017
This podcast, produced by CES in 2013, features Bianca Albers from the Family and Evidence Centre in Denmark, and was recorded after a meeting of the Implementation Network of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Here, Bianca discusses the topic of implementation teams. She stresses the importance of context in shaping the structure of implementation teams, and the skills and experience required by members of implementation teams. Her learning from working with municipalities to implement programmes in Denmark is highlighted. This podcast is most relevant for policymakers and service providers.
On the right track: Inclusion and Diversity Summary
Posted June 29, 2017
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies, together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. This was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.
This summary outlines learning from programmes focused on inclusion and diversity, and describes some of the features of effective programmes which are transferable to wider services dealing with children and young people. Key messages are based on findings from independent evaluations, and draw from CES’s experience of working with government and service providers to implement programmes and services. An infographic gives an overview of the programmes and the change in inclusion and diversity outcomes.
This summary is based on a longer report in this series on inclusion and diversity outcomes.
On the right track: inclusion and diversity outcomes report
Posted June 29, 2017
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. These programmes used prevention and early intervention approaches in various areas of children’s lives, including learning, behaviour, health and development, parenting and inclusion. This investment was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative. This report includes findings from evaluations of five programmes focused on inclusion and diversity.
Podcast - Key Messages for Practitioners Implementing Programmes and Services
Posted June 18, 2017
This podcast, produced by CES in 2011, features Melissa van Dyke, an International Expert Advisor on Implementation from the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS). It outlines three lessons learned about implementation from practitioners working directly with families and children. These lessons emphasise the benefits of increased understanding of what works most effectively; learning from the expertise of others through feedback and coaching; and having access to data which informs practitioners’ decision making. This learning will resonate strongly with practitioners, but will be of interest to all stakeholders interested in implementation.
Coaching and Mentoring - Table
Posted March 29, 2017
A one page graphic which explains the difference between coaching and mentoring, and how it complements other professional development interventions in frontline practice.
Taking care of your data
Posted March 29, 2017
What can organisations and researchers do to take good care of data so that policy makers and practitioners can use it in future? In this short podcast, Ruth Geraghty, Data Curator with the Children's Research Network offers some tips and guidance on archiving data.
On the right track: parenting outcomes report
Posted March 15, 2017
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. These programmes used prevention and early intervention approaches in various areas of children’s lives, including learning, behaviour, health and development, parenting and inclusion. This investment was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative. This report includes findings from evaluations of fifteen programmes focused on parenting.
Coaching and Mentoring - An Access Evidence Report
Posted March 14, 2017
A review of the literature on coaching and mentoring. This report is part of the Access Evidence series for frontline practitioners.
Coaching and Mentoring - An Access Evidence Summary
Posted March 10, 2017
This summary is about two forms of support for frontline practitioners - coaching and mentoring. The summary explains the difference between the terms, and outlines some key messages emerging from research literature. The summary concludes with some suggestions for practitioners before they take up coaching and mentoring, and some wider considerations for organistions when introducing these supports.
On the right track: Child health summary
Posted December 08, 2016
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies, together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. This was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.
This summary outlines learning from programmes which aimed to improve child health outcomes, and describes some of the features of effective programmes which are transferable to wider services dealing with children and young people. Key messages are based on findings from independent evaluations, and draw from CES’s experience of working with government and service providers to implement programmes and services. An infographic gives an overview of the programmes and the change in parenting outcomes.
This summary is based on a longer report in this series on child health outcomes.
On the right track: Children's learning summary
Posted December 08, 2016
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies, together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. This was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.
This summary outlines learning from programmes which aimed to improve children’s learning outcomes, and describes some of the features of effective programmes which are transferable to wider services dealing with children and young people. Key messages are based on findings from independent evaluations, and draw from CES’s experience of working with government and service providers to implement programmes and services. An infographic gives an overview of the programmes and the change in learning outcomes.
This summary is based on a longer report in this series on children’s learning outcomes.
On the right track: Parenting summary
Posted December 08, 2016
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies, together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. This was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.
This summary outlines learning from programmes which aimed to improve parenting outcomes, and describes some of the features of effective programmes which are transferable to wider services dealing with children and young people. Key messages are based on findings from independent evaluations, and draw from CES’s experience of working with government and service providers to implement programmes and services. An infographic gives an overview of the programmes and the change in parenting outcomes.
This summary is based on a longer report in this series on parenting outcomes.
On the right track: Child behaviour summary
Posted December 08, 2016
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies, together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. This was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.
This summary outlines learning from programmes which aimed to improve child behaviour outcomes, and describes some of the features of effective programmes which are transferable to wider services dealing with children and young people. Key messages are based on findings from independent evaluations, and draw from CES’s experience of working with government and service providers to implement programmes and services. An infographic gives an overview of the programmes and the change in behavioural outcomes.
This summary is based on a longer report on child behaviour outcomes.
On the right track: children's learning outcomes report
Posted September 13, 2016
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. These programmes used prevention and early intervention approaches in various areas of children’s lives, including learning, behaviour, health and development, parenting and inclusion. This investment was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative. This report includes findings from evaluations of seventeen programmes focused on children’s learning.
On the right track: improving child behaviour outcomes report
Posted September 13, 2016
From 2004 to 2016, The Atlantic Philanthropies together with government and other organisations invested in 52 programmes and services aimed at improving outcomes for children across the island of Ireland. These programmes used prevention and early intervention approaches in various areas of children’s lives, including learning, behaviour, health and development, parenting and inclusion. This investment was known as the Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative. This report includes findings from evaluations of fourteen different programmes focused on children’s behaviour.
Childhood Adversity - Outcomes, Risks and Resilience - An Access Evidence Report
Posted September 07, 2016
This report contains a rapid review of the literature in the area of childhood adversity and how it affects children during their lives. Implications for frontline practitioners working with children and young people are also included.The appendices to the report include frameworks, assessments, online resources and evidence-based and evidence-informed programmes which may be of interest to practitioners working with families, children and young people facing some form of adversity.
The report is the first in the Access Evidence series, and is accompanied by a shorter summary of the literature and implications for practitioners.
Childhood Adversity - An Access Evidence Summary
Posted September 05, 2016
This report is the first of the Access Evidence series produced by CES. The aim is to produce evidence based resources to support frontline practitioners, working with children, young people and families.
This summary outlines the learning from research literature about childhood adversity, and some implications for frontline practice. Practitioners who come across children and young people in their work can play an important role in recognising adversity, intervening early and supporting children and their families to deal with its effects.
The summary is based on a longer review of the literature about childhood adversity.
A quick guide to the ABC Programme
Posted September 05, 2016
A quick overview of the Area Based Childhood Programme and how it came about, along with the areas included and governance structures.
Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty - ABC Learning Community Report
Posted July 27, 2016
On February 17th 2016, the ABC Learning Community held a conference in Dublin Castle, entitled Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty, an ABC Practice to Policy Event.
The ABC Learning Community is convened by CES and provides a platform for ABC areas and stakeholders in the ABC Programme to share learning, knowledge and practice, and to support one another to deliver effective and integrated services. This event report outlines the day’s proceedings, which included keynote speakers, a panel discussion, workshops and a closing plenary with key messages.
Building relationships with detained young people - Key learning from research
Posted June 30, 2016
In 2014 CES was commissioned to work with Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Oberstown is a national facility based in Lusk which provides safe and secure environment to young people under the age of 18 who have been sentenced by the courts. Relationships between staff and young people in Oberstown were identified as an important factor in improving their lives. A first phase of the work which CES conducted involved reviewing learning on what works for children and young people in similar settings. This is a summary of a longer report 'Lessons from the Literature: Building relationships with detained young people to improve pro-social outcomes.'
Building relationships with detained young people to improve pro social outcomes
Posted June 30, 2016
In 2014 CES was commissioned to work with Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Oberstown is a national facility based in Lusk which provides safe and secure environment to young people under the age of 18 who have been sentenced by the courts. Relationships between staff and young people in Oberstown were identified as an important factor in improving their lives. A first phase of the work which CES conducted involved reviewing learning on what works for children and young people in similar settings.This publication outlines a ‘conceptual model of relationship building’ and describes the various elements involved in this model. When implemented together, these elements can support young people in detention to develop their communication skills and confidence, help them to plan and solve problems, encourage creativity and innovation, self-control and improve their health and wellbeing in the long term.
Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in the Early Years – Research and Practice
Posted June 20, 2016
‘Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in the Early Years – Research and Practice’ is a new publication produced by CES together with the Institute of Public Health (IPH).
The early years is a critical period for child health and wellbeing. Children who grow up with positive and secure relationships with their caregivers, in safe, secure and stimulating environments that promote child development, are more likely to be happy and healthy. They are also more likely to experience better physical and mental health, greater educational achievement, and more economic security. Children experiencing social disadvantage are less likely to experience these outcomes due to a range of factors which impact on the conditions in which they are born and grow. This book explores how prevention and early intervention approaches can contribute to tackling these social inequalities and improve children’s outcomes, before they become embedded and costly.
Summary - Implementing public service reform: messages from the literature
Posted March 15, 2016
This summary highlights the themes emerging from the CES report 'Implementing Public Service Reform' - Messages from the Literature. The summary describes the messages from the literature and CES’s experience of working with government departments and agencies to support implementation of policy initiatives across the public service. The report identifies some ‘supportive factors’ which help in implementing effective public service reform.
Implementing public service reform : Messages from the literature
Posted March 15, 2016
This report highlights some emerging messages from the literature and CES’s experience of working with government departments and agencies to support implementation of policy initiatives across the public service. The report identifies some ‘supportive factors’ which help in implementing effective public service reform. These will be useful to leaders and managers. Findings in the report draw on case studies of public service reform in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and European countries.