Centre for Child and Family Research, Loughborough University Evidence into Real World Practice in Children’s Services: Creativity and Innovation in Challenging Times Dr Lisa Holmes Centre for Child and Family Research, Loughborough University

Costs of implementation and value for money

Context Finite resources Emphasis on value for money Costs and/or value Long term outcomes Who pays? Who benefits? Attribution to specific interventions

Data Individual child level Longitudinal approach Holistic Needs and circumstances Services and support Outcomes Longitudinal approach Holistic Data from multiple agencies

Costs of implementation To weigh the value of implementing new practices, it is necessary to consider the cost of implementation over and above the cost of the intervention Need to consider what implementation steps are necessary for success and the resources necessary to complete them Varying costs might be associated with different implementation strategies

Costs of implementation

Costs of implementation Until recently there were no standardised measures or strategies to measure implementation costs… The Cost of Implementing New Strategies (COINS) Saldana, L. Chamberlain, P., Bradford, W.D., Campbell, M., & Landsverk, J. (2013). The Cost of Implementing New Strategies (COINS): A method for mapping implementation resources using the Stages of Implementation Completion. Children and Youth Services Review, 39, 177-182.

Application of COINS for the UK context Use for a range of evaluations, both development of pro-formas and full costing exercise: RESuLT and MST FIT Other DfE Innovation Programme evaluations No Wrong Door Firstline Social Pedagogy in foster care

COINS: Cost inputs The ongoing costs associated with the innovation itself The costs associated with implementing the new innovation The costs associated with being part of a pilot programme

Offsetting cost inputs Potential costs avoided Organisational level Reduction in complaints and/or allegations Staff level Reduced staff sickness Improved retention Child and Family level Placement stability Health, wellbeing and educational outcomes

Offsetting cost inputs Example of potential economic impact includes the following: Improved placement stability The costs incurred by placement changes have been estimated to range from £250 to £1,500 per change (Ward, Holmes and Soper, 2008). For an individual child that has experienced previous placement instability and then goes on to experience three further changes in placement over a twelve month time period the costs associated with this activity is likely to be £4,500

For more information Lisa Holmes: L.j.Holmes@lboro.ac.uk Sam McDermid, Research Fellow: S.Mcdermid@lboro.ac.uk Helen Trivedi, Research Associate: H.L.Trivedi@lboro.ac.uk CCFR website: www.ccfr.org.uk Cost Calculator website: www.ccfcs.org.uk