Evaluation of Intensive Family Support Services in Scotland
Reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and building a culture of respect have been key Central Government priorities both in Scotland and south of the border in recent years. Accordingly, measures to tackle ASB have been located within a wider policy agenda of revitalising disadvantaged neighbourhoods and stimulating a process of civic renewal. This report evaluates five intensive family support projects (IFSPs) operating in Scotland in the period 2006-2008. The projects were established through initiatives involving the housing and social work departments of the relevant local authorities. Whilst one authority ? South Lanarkshire ? ran its scheme as an in-house service, the other four ? in Falkirk, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen - were operated by voluntary agencies under contract. The main elements of the study were as follows: ? Initial interviews with IFSP project staff, referral agencies and other key stakeholders ? Collection and analysis of socio-economic and housing data about families referred to IFSPs ? ?inward referrals? ? Collation and analysis of service user Support Plans ? In-depth study of cohort of IFSP service users ? interviews with families, referral agencies, project staff ? Interviews with IFSP former service users, following case closure ? Collection and analysis of monitoring data on support outcomes in relation to families having their cases closed ? Follow-up interviews with IFSP project staff, referral agencies and other key stakeholders ? Economic evaluation
