The challenges to effective outcome evaluation of a national, multi-agency initiative: The experience of Sure Start

Nigel Lloyd, Louise Harrington

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article uses the example of Sure Start, a national initiative introduced by the UK Government in the late 1990s, as a case study to explore the reasons why large-scale, complex, national initiatives often fail to adequately evidence the impact of their work. The authors explore a range of structural, cultural, methodological and practical factors that have acted to inhibit effective evaluation of the impacts of Sure Start. They argue that the potential exists for more effective and efficient evaluation of the outcomes of complex community initiatives such as Sure Start, if factors such as those outlined within the article are adequately addressed. This article provides important learning for those funding, commissioning and delivering complex community initiatives.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-109
JournalEvaluation
Volume18
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The challenges to effective outcome evaluation of a national, multi-agency initiative: The experience of Sure Start'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this