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 Evaluation of Parent Network Scotland Courses 2004-2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This independent evaluation of Parent Network Scotland (PNS) Courses (2004 – 2008) was undertaken in the Spring of 2008. It comprised qualitative review of stakeholder perspectives on PNS courses, and comprehensive analysis of the PNS courses database.

The evaluation concluded that

 Participants’, facilitators’ and commissioning agencies’ experiences of PNS courses were very positive.

• Participants join PNS courses for a wide variety of reasons, including looking for help in dealing with their child/rens behaviour; and because they have family or friends who have done a PNS course.
• The top two motivators for attending courses were ‘to feel able to help my child/ren deal with their feelings (7%), and to ‘look at how I deal with my child/rens behaviour (6%)
• Participants found out about PNS courses through a combination of medical professionals, third sector organisations, schools/nurseries, community centres and recommendations by friends.
• Over 88% participants considered that the course materials, content and delivery were very good. In particular, participants considered that facilitators were very good.
• One-third of participants said that that their situation had improved ‘a lot’ as a result of attending the course; whilst a further 52% said that it had improved ‘a little’.
• The strongest improvement reported by the participants was their ability to listen to their children (55% said it had improved a lot, 38% said it had improved a little), followed by a sense of being better able to help children deal with their feelings (45% said it had improved a lot) and getting on better with the children.

39% participants said that their knowledge/insights had improved a lot as a result of attending the course.  A further 50% said it had improved a little. On a very positive note, the participants understanding of and attitude towards their children had improved a lot in approximately 40% of cases and improved a little in a further 50% of cases.

Just over one fifth of participants said that their child/ren’s behaviour had improved ‘a lot’ as a result of what was learned by the parents during the course. In a further 45% of cases it had improved ‘a little’ overall.

39% participants said that they wanted to attend another PNS course

Participants and facilitators considered that PNS courses improved participants

• self-esteem and confidence
• enjoyment of being a parent
• recognition of their own behaviour patterns and how these impact on children
• parenting and relationship skills – in particular listening skills
• relationships with their children and family

Participants and facilitators considered that PNS courses were very helpful in helping parents support each other.

Commissioning agencies

• generally came to know about PNS courses through colleagues and friends
• liked the PNS model and approach; however
• were finding it increasingly difficult to continue to support PNS courses due to
  • cost and low participant numbers
  • the generic – rather than targeted – nature of courses
  • the lack of impact evaluation.

Participants, facilitators and commissioning agencies considered that PNS should

• do more to promote PNS courses – develop its profile
• address the stigmatising image of parenting courses
• consider targeting its courses
• review the cost-effectiveness of its courses
• demonstrate the impact of its courses
• develop its capacity to deliver courses – the number of available facilitators
• provide better support for facilitators
• provide better support for post-course support groups

 Since 2004 – 2006 PNS course numbers have dropped from 72 courses over 2 years to 46 courses between 2006 – 2008: a 36% reduction.

• Between 2004-05 and 2005-06
  • 72 courses were held, with a total of 552 participants, with an average of 8 participants per course
  • The 552 course participants were parents to 1,053 children
  • Average attendance was 80%
  • Courses were held in 13 of the 31 local authorities, with the majority o courses held in Edinburgh City, Highland and Glasgow City.
  • Parenting Matters was the most popular course, with 35 courses planned
    • Coping with your Teenager was the second most popular area, with 10 courses with 4 titles related to this issue
    • Between 2006-07 and 2007-08
    • 427 participants attended the 46 courses – with an average of 9 participants per course
    • Parenting Matters was the most popular course, with 14 courses taking place
    • Courses for parents of teenagers were the second most popular courses, with 8 courses running
    • Post-course feedback details were not systematically or fully provided in the database.

 

The evaluation recommended that Parent Network Scotland

1.  Continues to provide PNS courses.

2.  Develops the evidence base by

a) Developing the capacity of PNS recording and monitoring systems to regain the levels of detail maintained during 2004-06.

b) Develop the tools used for this evaluation as a basis for follow-up work with course participants to develop a longitudinal evaluation of the impact of PNS courses, in particular

  i.  Consistent pre- and post-course feedback from participants, facilitators and commissioners

ii. Regular (annual?) surveys of participants

c) Considering how PNS course outcomes, such as ‘self-esteem’ and ‘resilience’ are measured.

3. Promotes PNS courses through

a) Demonstrating the evidence base (ie the data developed by implementing recommendation 2)

b) Developing and disseminating effective information about PNS courses which

i.  Clearly and accurately shows the aims, objectives, outcomes, methods, target groups, and costs of PNS Courses

ii.Focuses on the uniqueness of PNS courses, rather than competitive comparison with  other parenting courses

c) Developing a strategy for engaging potential commissioners of PNS courses, including

i. Ensuring that PNS maintains contemporary understanding of current key strategic drivers

ii.Reviewing how PNS courses relate to potential commissioners strategies and action plans

iii. Developing relationships with potential commissioners

4. Ensures capacity to meet demand for courses as a result of better promotion by

a) Developing better support for facilitators, including

i. Working with potential commissioners

ii.Providing briefings on relevant issues

iii. Facilitating better networking with other facilitators and support groups

b) Developing new facilitators

5. Supports longer term positive impacts on parents by

i.  Providing newsletters

ii. Facilitating networking with other support groups

iii. Developing support for facilitators to support post-course parents groups