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Article
Publication date: 2 December 2010

Jacqueline Barnes

The aims of this article are to highlight the issues that are relevant to the implementation of a rigorously evidence‐based programme of support, the Nurse Family Partnership…

408

Abstract

The aims of this article are to highlight the issues that are relevant to the implementation of a rigorously evidence‐based programme of support, the Nurse Family Partnership programme, into a national system of care. Methods used are semi‐structured interviews with families in receipt of the programme in the first 10 sites, with the nursing staff, with members of the central team guiding the initiative and with other professionals. Analyses of data collected during programme delivery evaluate fidelity of delivery. The results indicate that the programme is perceived in a positive light and take‐up is high, with delivery close to the stated US objectives. Issues pertaining to sustainability are highlighted ‐ in particular, local concerns about cost set against long‐term rather than immediate gains. However, local investment is predominantly strong, with creative methods being planned for the future. Overall, the study shows that within an NHS system of care it is possible to deliver a targeted evidence‐based programme.

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2006

Jacqueline Barnes, Kristen MacPherson and Rob Senior

The study reported here aimed to evaluate the impact on parenting and the home environment of community volunteer home visiting offered during or soon after pregnancy to…

186

Abstract

The study reported here aimed to evaluate the impact on parenting and the home environment of community volunteer home visiting offered during or soon after pregnancy to potentially vulnerable mothers. A cluster‐randomised study allocated Home‐Start schemes to intervention or comparison (existing services) conditions. Mothers were screened at routine health checks. Families in intervention and comparison areas were assessed at two and 12 months. The results showed that comparing families receiving support and those in comparison areas, there were few differences. There was a greater reduction in parent‐child relationship difficulties for supported families, but they offered their children fewer healthy foods. There was no evidence of enhanced parenting, organisation of the home environment or more appropriate use of health services. Comparing families receiving support with a second comparison group, living in intervention areas but not receiving support, no differences were found. The article concludes that a more structured approach may be required to make changes in parenting behaviour and the home environment.

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 1 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 20 June 2016

Jacqueline Barnes and Jane Stuart

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of delivering the group family nurse partnership (gFNP) programme, which combines elements of the family nurse partnership…

324

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of delivering the group family nurse partnership (gFNP) programme, which combines elements of the family nurse partnership (FNP) programme and Centering Pregnancy and is offered from early pregnancy to 12 months postpartum to mothers under 25.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method descriptive feasibility study. Quantitative data from anonymised forms completed by nurses from November 2009 to May 2011 (pilot 1) and January 2012 to August 2013 (pilot 2) reporting referrals, attendance and client characteristics. Qualitative data collected between March 2010 and April 2011 (pilot 1) and November 2012 and November 2013 (pilot 2) from semi-structured interviews or focus groups with clients and practitioners.

Findings

There were challenges to reaching eligible clients. Uptake of gFNP was 57-74 per cent, attendance ranged from 39 to 55 per cent of sessions and attrition ranged from 30 to 50 per cent. Clients never employed attended fewest sessions overall compared to those working full time. The group format and the programme’s content were positively received by clients but many struggled to attend regularly. FNP practitioners were positive overall but involving community practitioners (pilot 2) placed more stress on them.

Research limitations/implications

Further feasibility and then cost and effectiveness research is necessary to determine the optimal staffing model.

Practical implications

The content and style of support of the home-based FNP programme, available only to first time mothers under 20, could be offered to women over 20 and to those who already have a child.

Social implications

A range of interventions is needed to support potentially vulnerable families.

Originality/value

This new complex intervention lacks evidence. This paper documents feasibility, the first step in a thorough evaluation process.

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 2 December 2010

Nick Axford and Michael Little

113

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2007

Michael Little and Nick Axford

This article reviews the first volume of the Journal of Children's Services. In doing so, it discusses broader directions and challenges in research, policy and practice. The…

53

Abstract

This article reviews the first volume of the Journal of Children's Services. In doing so, it discusses broader directions and challenges in research, policy and practice. The article focuses on discussion about outcomes, the ‘idea’ of children's services and the impact of interventions on children's health and development. It welcomes reflections on different approaches to outcome measurement, analyses of the practicalities of implementing policy reforms and rigorous evaluations of the impact of Early Years, parenting and other programmes. At the same time, it suggests specific areas in which more work would be valuable, including: socio‐political commentary on policy developments; methods of and results from need analyses; empirical research on inter‐agency initiatives; how to improve the processes and structures that underpin good outcomes; transitions; and understanding ‘what works’ in research dissemination and utilisation. The value of international perspectives (including intra‐UK comparisons) is stressed. Forthcoming special editions on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (2007) and anti‐social behaviour by young people (2008) will help to address other points raised.

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 15 March 2013

86

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 1 November 2007

Angela Anning, Mog Ball, Jay Belsky and Edward Melhuish

This article focuses on the design and application of an instrument, the Programme Variability Rating Scale (PVRS), to measure the effectiveness of a complex social intervention…

197

Abstract

This article focuses on the design and application of an instrument, the Programme Variability Rating Scale (PVRS), to measure the effectiveness of a complex social intervention in the UK. Sure Start aimed to improve outcomes for children aged under four years living in disadvantaged areas on a wide range of health, educational and social indicators. The PVRS was devised for use in the National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS) to measure programme proficiency. It consisted of 18 dimensions (eg. parental empowerment, user identification, flexibility of service delivery), each with seven levels of proficiency. It was applied to 150 Sure Start local programmes involved in a longitudinal study of the impact of the intervention on a range of child and parental outcomes. Ratings of more or less proficient processes were related, using discriminant‐function analysis, with the impact outcomes from the cross‐sectional study of almost 20,000 children. The 18 dimensions of proficiency of the PVRS made a significant differentiation between the most and least effective programmes.

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Journal of Children's Services, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 4 February 2025

Jacqueline Burgess, Saskia de Klerk, Jacqueline Blake and Dawn Birch

This research explores the skills, attitudes and knowledge of micro and small businesses in the peripheral high growth region of Moreton Bay in southeast Queensland that would…

11

Abstract

Purpose

This research explores the skills, attitudes and knowledge of micro and small businesses in the peripheral high growth region of Moreton Bay in southeast Queensland that would enable these businesses to adopt and use new business technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants recruited via snowball sampling and utilised in conjunction with the Queensland government’s Digital Scorecard survey data. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, NVivo 12 and a phenomenographic approach.

Findings

All micro and small business owners understood the value of new business technology and expressed a positive attitude towards its uptake but felt constrained by a lack of knowledge, time and resources. Thus, they require targeted and local guidance and tools to minimize the demands on their time of implementation, which has implications for policymakers, governments and educators.

Originality/value

Past studies on micro and small businesses adopting new technology have either looked at large regions or specific types of technology leaving the technological skills, attitudes and knowledge gaps of micro and small businesses in peripheral regions unexamined. This research aims to fill that gap by studying a specific high growth peripheral region, Moreton Bay, on the edge of the greater Brisbane city area. We recommend a phased approach to developing digital skills, adopting technology and appropriate support programs for each stage.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

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Article
Publication date: 18 April 2019

Lawrence Charles Bellamy, Nii Amoo, Kieran Mervyn and Jacqueline Hiddlestone-Mumford

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of tools and techniques of strategy and strategic analysis within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a part of the…

2542

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of tools and techniques of strategy and strategic analysis within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a part of the strategy formation process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative, multiple-case-based investigation with semi-structured interviews and secondary data sources to create a context-rich insight to the area examined.

Findings

The findings indicate a strong orientation towards operational tools deployment aligned with financial management and resources and process planning, monitoring and control. Strategic perspectives of the respondents indicate an implicit, rather than explicit deployment of strategy tools and unstructured deployment, but general awareness of the resulting component issues. Clearer strategic approaches and strong implementation appear to positively influence success, when measured by growth.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to nine organisations within a UK geographic region, and therefore, larger-scale investigation would be beneficial to extend and confirm the findings in differing contexts.

Practical implications

With resource scarcity potentially stymying the opportunity for owner-managers to develop more structured approaches to strategic analysis and development, consideration should be given to how owner-managers can further develop their strategic thinking to support enhanced strategic outcomes for their organisations. Furthermore, strategy educationalists may wish to reflect upon the manner in which they prepare delegates for strategic roles, where the SME context may differ radically from corporate experience.

Originality/value

The methodology for this study differs substantially from previous investigations within the field, which has had relatively few contributions, as it uses in-depth, context-rich qualitative techniques to investigate the micro-processes at play. The conclusions capture new insights and indications and identify areas for further investigation, hence adding to the understanding of a complex and heterogeneous field.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

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