Social Research ¦ Market Research ¦ Behavioural Insight ¦ Evaluation ¦ SROI
Social Research ¦ Market Research ¦ Behavioural Insight ¦ Evaluation ¦ SROI
City of Doncaster Council commissioned M·E·L Research to evaluate an alternative provision service for children and young people who were struggling to engage in mainstream education. The alternative provision comprised of two settings (Big Picture Doncaster and Vega College) and was based on the Big Picture Learning philosophy that originated in the US. It is a model of learning that focuses on one student at a time, with small class sizes and a curriculum taught in a way that is centred on the passions and interests of children and young people. Based on evidence of impact in the US, the Council believed it had the potential to re-engage young people in learning, and ultimately improve their long-term life chances and outcomes.
The evaluation had three key aims:
To meet these aims we used the framework of Realist Evaluation to understand ‘what works, for whom, in what circumstances and in what respects’. We worked collaboratively with stakeholders to design a theory of change that was subsequently tested.
We collected a range of data, including; an evidence review of existing literature, 18 interviews with key stakeholders and parents/carers, online surveys with delivery staff, schools, work place providers and parents/carers, workshops with 13 children and young people, available data on outcomes and analysis of 11 individual learning plans.
A key consideration in this evaluation was engagement with children and young people, many of whom did not have trusting relationships with adults and had additional learning needs. We worked with the alternative provision providers to design a trauma-informed arts-based workshops that were delivered in-person and with trusted adults present.
We analysed the available data according to the Realist Evaluation framework to produce a report which showed a range of positive outcomes achieved by the alternative provision and identified what it was about how they were delivered that led to those outcomes. We made a number of recommendations, informed by our analysis, to help the council move forward as the alternative provision becomes part of the Council’s Specialist Education Flexible Procurement System.
“M·E·L Research have provided us with a succinct and specialised report. The subject area was complex and Holly and the team did an excellent job of unpicking and fact finding. The team were always contactable, helpful and friendly. Caroline made the interview process feel relaxed and enjoyable. We would highly recommend M·E·L to other businesses and would definitely work with the company again in the future. Many Thanks, City of Doncaster Council.“
