1. 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

2. Costs of implementation and value for money

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

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

5. 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

6. Costs of implementation

7. 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,

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. For more information Lisa Holmes: L.j.Holmes@lboro.ac.uk
Sam McDermid, Research Fellow:
Helen Trivedi, Research Associate:
CCFR website:
Cost Calculator website: