Research
Why we do research?
Teens and Toddlers has been guided by an evidence-based approach since we began in 2001. During this time, we have been diligently recording our progress and evaluating our intervention. We are pleased to say that The Centre for Excellence in Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services rates Teens and Toddlers as one of the better evaluated early intervention programmes in the social sector today. We undertake research for a variety of reasons. Primarily, we are interested in finding out whether our programme is effective, and through what specific interventions we can be most efficacious. We use research to identify differences between cohort and across locations, in order to help us refine what we do and tailor how we deliver our programmes. While it's very important for us to be able to demonstrate our effectiveness, our primary reason for undertaking research is so that we can learn as an organisation and improve on our outcomes for young people.Our research philosophy
Our philosophy is centred on the belief that young people are the heart of everything we do. We undertake research in accordance with ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Research participants have moral and legal rights; it is important that as researchers we treat young people respectfully and do not undertake research unnecessarily. We routinely pilot our instruments to ensure they are congruent and meaningful and we take pride in sharing our results with beneficiaries.
Our approach to research
We undertake data collection at every stage of our intervention. From short term analysis of the immediate effects of the programme to long term outcomes that are tracked annually. Below illustrates the different research activities we undertake at each stage of our intervention; at Selection; prior to the programme (pre Teens and Toddlers); while the programme is running (during Teens and Toddlers); immediately after the programme (post Teens and Toddlers); for Audit purposes and through regular Tracking until participants reach the age of 20.
Core research activities
Long term retrospective tracking
COUI UK tracks Teens and Toddlers graduates on an annual basis from age 14, when they do the project, until they are 20 years old. The retrospective questionnaire is designed in order to assess the efficacy of Teens and Toddlers. The objective is to evaluate pregnancy rates, attitude and behaviour changes as well as current employment and educational status of those who graduated from the programme.
Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Both C4EO and the Impetus Trust, who are key partners, have carried out Social Return and Investment evaluation of our programmes, measuring a range of impacts, such as confidence, EET, less unplanned pregnancies and risky behaviour, and increased economic activity. Teens and Toddlers SROI averages out to £1: 6. For every pound spent, six pounds is saved.
Case studies
The Teens and Toddlers case studies involve an in-depth, longitudinal examination of how individuals progress over a period of time. Participants may include those currently on the programme, graduates who have recently completed the course, as well as Young Leaders.Focus groups
Focus groups are organised in order to encourage young people to share their thoughts, feelings, attitudes and ideas on a certain subject relating to what is taught on the programme. We also use focus groups to consult with graduates about pertinent issues (e.g., gun and knife crime, alcohol & drugs, aspirations for the future, etc.) to help us stay in touch with the needs and opinions of young people.Individual research pilots
The most recent pilot aims to assess, the extent to which personality traits, such as self efficacy and locus of control, as well as cognitive ability, may be enhanced as a result of an intervention (Teens and Toddlers) aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy and enhancing personal development. For full article please contact:
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