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Monitoring vulnerable families : a two year outcome study Turner, Mark

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublication details: Christchurch. [N.Z.] Family Help Trust 2009Description: 132 p. ; 30 cmSubject(s): DDC classification:
  • 362.76
Online resources: Summary: Approximately 100 children born in Christchurch every year are assessed as most at risk. 'Monitoring Vulnerable Families' provides an account of the outcomes of 59 of the families of these children two years after they started receiving the service provided by the Family Help Trust. Family Help Trust is a long-term home based early intervention child protection programme designed for pregnant women and their families who have been identified as ultra high-risk for child abuse. The evaluation sought to examine changes in family functioning and child welfare over the first two years. The evaluation used a repeated measures design, measures were taken at baseline, 12 months and two years, using a custom designed interview. The evaluation used a comprehensive interview questionnaire comprising of structured, semi structured and open ended questions. Ratings were also collected, made by the Family Help Trust social worker on the basis of contacts with the family and observations. Family Help Trust's 'Monitoring Vulnerable Families' report (2009) provides evidence that the risk of child abuse among the most socially deprived families can be significantly reduced through effective home visitation. In particular, significant outcomes are indicated within the first two years through: 1) enabling mothers to end relationships with abusive partners; 2) convincing mothers to stop hitting their children; 3) assisting mothers to complete methadone programmes and therefore stop using drugs; and 4) encouraging positive parental behaviours associated with child rearing. Without a control group, the results must be treated with caution: it is not possible to say that any improvements were solely due to Family Help Trust actions. Nevertheless, recent research suggests that families such as these do not change without significant community assistance, which should be taken into account when examining any changes identified. A summary of this report is available online - use the link provided. The full report can be requested from the library.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Barcode
Report Report Vine library TRO 362.76 TUR Available A0067124AB

Approximately 100 children born in Christchurch every year are assessed as most at risk. 'Monitoring Vulnerable Families' provides an account of the outcomes of 59 of the families of these children two years after they started receiving the service provided by the Family Help Trust. Family Help Trust is a long-term home based early intervention child protection programme designed for pregnant women and their families who have been identified as ultra high-risk for child abuse. The evaluation sought to examine changes in family functioning and child welfare over the first two years. The evaluation used a repeated measures design, measures were taken at baseline, 12 months and two years, using a custom designed interview. The evaluation used a comprehensive interview questionnaire comprising of structured, semi structured and open ended questions. Ratings were also collected, made by the Family Help Trust social worker on the basis of contacts with the family and observations. Family Help Trust's 'Monitoring Vulnerable Families' report (2009) provides evidence that the risk of child abuse among the most socially deprived families can be significantly reduced through effective home visitation. In particular, significant outcomes are indicated within the first two years through: 1) enabling mothers to end relationships with abusive partners; 2) convincing mothers to stop hitting their children; 3) assisting mothers to complete methadone programmes and therefore stop using drugs; and 4) encouraging positive parental behaviours associated with child rearing. Without a control group, the results must be treated with caution: it is not possible to say that any improvements were solely due to Family Help Trust actions. Nevertheless, recent research suggests that families such as these do not change without significant community assistance, which should be taken into account when examining any changes identified. A summary of this report is available online - use the link provided. The full report can be requested from the library.

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