To offer best value for each placement, as well as ensuring each child or young person makes progress, outcomes over the most significant areas of their lives are measured on a regular basis. This is a process that involves not only the key professionals, but also the child or young person and their families (where appropriate). Each child/young person's difficulties, strengths and needs are prioritised. The Outcome Measurement Planner contains prompts designed to help with the identification of preferred ‘Personal Outcome Indicators’. This list is added to as necessary dependant on the individual and their circumstances. The ‘Personal Outcome Indicators’ are then measured as to their progress along a previously agreed time-line. Further, there is a contingency plan for each Personal Outcome Indicator.

Areas of Personal Outcome Indicators include:

• Being Healthy
  (including height, weight, personal hygiene, smoking, substance use, psychological health, diet, medication, exercise.)
• Staying Safe
  (including making complaints, bullying, absconding, offending violence and threats, boundaries, dealing with frustration and self harm.)
• Enjoying and Achieving
  (education, taking part in their PEP, hobbies, sports, leisure, relationships and ambitions.)
• Making a Positive Contribution
  (accessing local amenities, awareness of social and cultural issues, advocating for others, taking positive control of their own lives, does not bully or discriminate.)
• Achieving Economic Wellbeing
  (positive attitude, education/work/ future, smart appearance and ambition.)

Further details of Marlowe Child & Family Services approach to Measuring Outcomes are available from Steve Miller.