Focus on Outcomes

The Outcomes Project

This multi-faceted project aims to define an appropriate measurement method for capturing the outcomes experienced by people with a disability, their families and carers, and the communities with whom they engage.  The project has developed an outcomes measurement framework with nine life domains, and a range of related data collection and analysis instruments. These tools are currently being validated in a range of studies.  In summary, research is focusing on:

a) Identifying and developing an understanding of the core components of outcomes relevant to the experiences of people with a disability, their families and carers, and the communities with whom they engage;
b) Identifying the efficacy of existing measurement methods and tools that might be relevant;
c) Developing appropriate measurement methods that will be relevant across service contexts and accessible to a wide range of people with a disability.
d) Testing and validating measurement methods in a wide range of contexts.

To date a range of tools have been developed including: The outcomes and Impact Scale; the Family Capacity Scale; the Family Coping Scale; the Person Centred Planning Review tool; the Measurement of Outcomes in Services and Supports.

Evaluation of the Scope Early Childhood Intervention Service Flexible Support Package Program, Eastern Region

The research evaluates a new brokerage program, designed to deliver flexible, individualised supports and services for families accessing early childhood intervention. The purpose of this research is to explore (a) the effectiveness of the program's processes as experienced by families, (b) the types of life-outcomes associated with program engagement, (c) the extent to which the program is perceived to foster capacity in families and communities, and (d) the range of services and supports that families are requesting, analysed in terms of the International Classification of Functioning areas of function, activity/participation and environment. The project is part supported through the Department of Human Services, Eastern Region.

The Impact of Person Centred Approaches in a Disability Community Group

Person-centred approaches and person-centred planning are an increasingly central feature of disability services as they seek to become more client directed in line with the Victorian Government vision and legislation. The project aims to evaluate the process of a more individualised person-centred approach with the Scope Community Group (Braybrook). The group comprises approximately twelve clients in their twenties – all of whom have a person centred plan. This group of clients and staff provides an opportunity to examine the key issues around a person centred approach – particularly issues to do with outcomes for clients (i.e. what is changing for people with disabilities under a person-centred approach including outcomes related to community inclusion), enablers and barriers to success, and the impact on a service provider and staff in changing practices to meet the government guidelines. A measurement tool has been developed by the researchers which will supplement person centred planning and provide a means of gathering data that will enable measurement of outcomes. This project has been partly funded by Deakin University.

Delivery of Early Childhood Intervention Services in Scope Specialist Services Southern Region

This research aims to provide evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of one region’s Early Childhood Intervention Services. The project aims to explore the levels and types of family centred practice provided by Scope’s Southern Region Specialist Service and the outcomes for families and children, while identifying the enablers and barriers to providing positive outcomes. In addition, the region is supporting the growth of transdisciplinary practice among its therapists, with the research seeking to provide evidence as to the effectiveness of transdisciplinary practice and the experiences of therapists in providing their services to families. Further, the research evaluates the effect of a newly developed manual to support therapists and families. Key outcomes from the research include: contributing to evidence about outcomes for families and children as a result of Early Childhood Intervention in the area of disability, and the development and trialing of useful methods of data collection about outcomes measurement that may have wider application.

What changes do community members and groups experience as a result of including people with disabilities?  Honours project underway 2009 by Shirley Webber

Social inclusion of people living with a disability is a dominant concept in the disability field. Disability services aim to support the inclusion and value contributions of people with a disability in a range of life activities, community roles and groups. There is however no research conducted on the outcomes of this inclusion on community members and groups. This project will look at what the outcomes are of community members involved in inclusion activities with people with a disability. Attitudinal, behavioural and other outcomes will be compared between two to four different community inclusion activity groups. Community inclusion activities are deemed to be those where people with a disability are involved in ongoing ‘mainstream’ activities of any type, and where community members are likely to have had contact with people with a disability as co-members of these activities for more than three months. Two of these will have a formal disability education component included in the activity (this may be of any duration and type). The other two groups will have no formal disability education component and any changes in attitudes and behaviours regarding disability would be incidental. Results will be compared to see whether or not the education component has resulted in a different attitude and behavioural outcome compared to what was experienced in the activities without disability education. To collect this data information will be sent out to the four different groups with a cover letter and survey giving community members the option of participating. From these surveys participants can then indicate interest in participating in an interview, which will allow for more detailed qualitative data. The data will be analysed against the Scope Outcomes Framework and thematically.