The 5 Step Approach to Evaluation: Designing and Evaluating Interventions to Reduce Reoffending SUMMARY

A summary (updated) version of 5 step evaluation guidance describing how to use the 5 step approach to design and evaluate criminal justice interventions.


Step 3 : Draw a logic model

Show how the project should work
Clear links between resources, activities and outcomes

What are logic models? / Who can use them?

What are logic models?
Logic models are step-by-step diagrams which simply show:

  • What you're hoping to achieve in the long run (long-term outcomes)
  • The process (short and medium term outcomes) through which your planned activities can be expected to lead to long-term aims.
  • What resources will you need to do this (inputs)

Who can use them?
Anyone who is planning activities with particular aims in mind can benefit from using a logic model. This includes funders and commissioners, who might use them to plan how to assess applications and allocate funds in pursuit of their overall aims, as well as organisations and individuals planning behaviour change projects or services.

A Logic Model Template TO USE

A Logic Model Template

This blank template can be found here
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmodel.html

A project-level logic model

The following simple logic model shows how a project aimed at improving family relationships for people on bail, improve employability and reduce reoffending is expected to work. It is based on international evidence about 'what works' to reduce reoffending and on research which highlights the importance of promoting positive relationships between workers and service users. It shows clear links between activities and the expected outcomes, based on what research studies tells us.

This model is quite general so service providers should be a bit more detailed about the evidence they have used to design and deliver the intervention and also describe the content of activities in more detail.

Another project-level logic model can be found in chapter A parenting skills logic model and there are more examples in the pack entitled 'The 5-step Approach to Evaluation: Designing and Evaluating Behaviour Change Interventions'.

A simple supervised bail logic model

Inputs

Outputs

Outcomes

Activities

Participation

Short‑term

Medium‑term

Long‑term

Bail workers (criminal justice social work/ third sector)

Bail offices

Time

Money

Partners: Judiciary
Defence agents
Police
Procurators Fiscal

Evidence (support)

Suitable candidates for SB identified and given SB

Bail workers meet with bailees 2-4 times per week for an hour

Bail workers assess bailee needs and signpost where appropriate

Bailees and potential bailees

Bailees feel they get on well with bail workers

Bailees feel motivated to attend meetings and comply with conditions

Bailees feel motivated to take up signposted services

Bailees attitudes to their behaviour and aspirations change

Bailees attend meetings

Bailees comply with conditions

Bailees engage with signposted services

Bailees change behaviour and aspirations

Compliance leads to community sentence

Bailees stay in the community and out of prison

Enhanced bailee relationships with family

Reduced reoffending by bailees

Enhanced employability

A parenting skills logic model

Situation: A recent parent survey in primary schools showed that 76% of parents of 3-10 year olds had struggled with dealing with tantrums in the last year. 59% of those parents said they felt 'stressed'.

A parenting skills logic model

Source: University of Wisconsin

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