Evaluation

At the VRP, the key mechanism for reviewing how we achieve our goals is through a cycle of monitoring, review, assessment and analysis that we collectively term evaluation.

We evaluate our violence reduction projects through a combination of in-house monitoring that utilises the expertise we have within the VRP, and commissioned external partners to offer us an independent, unbiased and holistic view of our progress.

Evaluations

Breaking the Cycle - Impact Evaluation of Violence Reduction Project: The West Yorkshire VRP commissioned Emerald Consulting Group to evaluate the impact of Breaking the Cycle, a project working with young people who are involved or at risk of serious and organised violence, such as gangs, county lines, and exploitation, in order to break the cycle of violence.

The evaluation used two methods: a rapid evidence assessment of the existing literature on outreach projects, and empirical research involving surveys, interviews, and focus groups with young people and professionals who are part of or connected to the project.

The evaluation identified recommendations for the project, such as enhancing referral processes, strengthening data collection and monitoring systems, and increasing the involvement of parents and carers. A link to the report can be found below.

Breaking the Cycle - Impact Evaluation of Violence Reduction Project (PDF 2.27MB)

Core projects

The public sector consultancy, Red Quadrant, was commissioned by the VRP to carry out an evaluation of five Core Programmes aimed at reducing violence in West Yorkshire.

The evaluation aimed to:

Determine causal attribution of the VRP Core Programmes through establishing the impacts they are having in West Yorkshire.
Identify whether programme impacts are positive or negative, whether the programmes are having the intended impacts or whether there are also unintended impacts arising from their implementation, as well as casting light on direct or indirect impacts.
Establish the value for money of the VRP Core Programmes

The final evaluation report identified a number of key learnings arising from the delivery of the Core Programmes throughout 2021/22, as well as setting forth a range of recommendations. A link to the report can be found below.

VRP Core Funded Programmes Impact Evaluation (PDF 1.21MB)

A&E Navigator and Community Links programme: The A&E Navigator programme is one of the flagship initiatives of the VRU. Based within the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

A&E Navigators are a support service for people who find themselves in A&E due to violence.

The social and economic consultancy, Wavehill, was commissioned by the VRU to carry out an evaluation of the A&E Navigator programme.

The final evaluation report identified a number of key learnings arising from the delivery of the A&E Navigator programme throughout 2021/22, as well as setting forth a range of recommendations. A link to a summary of the report can be found below.

A&E Community Links Evaluation Summary 2022

Evaluation of the programme continued in 2022/23 under Wavehill to ensure continued learning and development of the programme. A link to the report can be found below.

A&E Community Links Evaluation Summary 2023

Adversity, Trauma and Resilience programme: The Adversity, Trauma and Resilience (ATR) programme was developed in conjunction with the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership with the aims of increasing knowledge and partnership working across the public health and violence reduction sector.

The policy, research and grant management consultancy, Rocket Science, was commissioned by the VRU to carry out an evaluation of the ATR programme.

The final evaluation report identified a number of key learnings arising from the delivery of the ATR programme throughout 2021/22, as well as setting forth a range of recommendations. A link to the report can be found below.

Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Programme Evaluation (PDF 1.58MB)

Ivison Trust Parent Liason Officer programme: An evaluation of the Ivison Trust's (formerly known as Pace) Parent Liaison Officers (PLO) programme was commissioned by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership and completed by EAP Research Consultancy & Pro Public.

The PLO programme works across Kirklees, Wakefield, Bradford and Calderdale liaising between statutory agencies and families to maximise safeguarding on children at risk of/or being exploited.

The evaluation used two methods: interviews with Ivison Trust staff and a survey completed by parents & carers as well as referring partner surveys.

Areas of good practice, development opportunities. and suggestions for future delivery and expansion were recommended from the evaluation.

The Ivison Trust Evaluation PDF (1.81MB)

Teachable Moments: The Teachable Moments Focussed Deterrence project was a new initiative of the VRU in 2021/22, arising from a successful bid for extra funding to support violence reduction activities in West Yorkshire.

The project deploys a ‘Focused Deterrence’ car carrying experienced Youth Workers working in tandem with a West Yorkshire Police non-uniformed officer at the ‘teachable moment’ following an incident, with a view to engaging with young people affected by and witnessing the incident.

The social and economic consultancy, Wavehill, was commissioned by the VRU to carry out an evaluation of the Teachable Moments project.

The final evaluation report identified a number of key learnings arising from the delivery of the Teachable Moments project throughout 2021/22, as well as setting forth a range of recommendations. A link to a summary of the report can be found below.

Teachable Moments Evaluation Summary (PDF 603KB)

The Sports, Creative Arts and Mentoring Provision: The Sports, Creative Arts and Mentoring Provision was introduced to address an identified need to provide additional support for young people at risk of school exclusion and Serious Youth Violence (SYV) in West Yorkshire.

The overall aim of the provision was to reduce or prevent SYV and involvement in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) for young people by reducing persistent absenteeism and exclusions from school.

The final evaluation report identifies a number of key learning points arising from the programme, as well as setting forth a range of recommendations. A link to a summary of the report can be found below.

Process and Implementation Evaluation of the Sports, Creative Arts and Mentoring Provision (PDF 2.33MB)

Trauma Informed Education Settings Insight West Yorkshire: The aims of this study are two-fold: firstly, to evaluate the early outcomes of the pilot study known as, ‘The Innovation Project’, at Outwood Academy Hemsworth and secondly, to examine trauma informed programs in West Yorkshire schools and educational institutions that have committed to strengthening educational outcomes for vulnerable young people through attachment and trauma-informed methods. Furthermore, this research sets out to identify barriers and opportunities experienced in their implementation.

Report - Trauma Informed Education Settings Insight West Yorkshire (PDF 1.88MB)