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This article describes the development of an original outcomes measurement scale titled Psychiatric Well-Being (PWB). The scale is a series of statements that are characteristics of the agency's product of psychiatric well-being for an adult population of persons with a serious psychiatric disorder, many of whom also have a substance abuse disorder. Validity, reliability, and internal consistency of the PWB scale have been determined. The scale may be adapted directly to measuring outcomes of agencies serving similar populations or its characteristics may be modified for measurement use with other populations.

Written by an experienced practitioner who has a very current understanding of the school context, this book gives a fantastically clear, detailed and realistic strategy?for primary schools with regards to raising attainment and inclusive practice. Anne Massey has provided a cogent and manageable system of provision mapping for whole-school improvement. - Pippa Whittaker, SENCO, Hans Price Academy, UK.'This very detailed book will enable schools to develop whole school approaches which improve outcomes and ensure that they are removing barriers to participation and achievement for all children

Despite their importance for stakeholders in the criminal justice system, few methods have been developed for determining which criminal behavior variables will produce accurate sentence predictions. Some approaches found in the literature resort to techniques based on indirect variables, but not on the social network behavior with exception of the work of Baker and Faulkner [ASR 58: 837–860, 1993]. Using information on the Caviar Network narcotics trafficking group as a real-world case, we attempt to explain sentencing outcomes employing the social network indicators. Specifically, we report the ability of centrality measures to predict a) the verdict (innocent or guilty) and b) the sentence length in years. We show that while the set of indicators described by Baker and Faulkner yields good predictions, introduction of the additional centrality measures generates better predictions. Some ideas for orienting future research on further improvements to sentencing outcome prediction are discussed.

In Germany, the treatment system for alcoholics is predominantly in-patient (IP) oriented, but no randomised trials of setting effects have been conducted until now. We examined if detoxification treatment offered in a day clinic setting would lead to results comparable to the usual IP treatment. After initial IP detoxification, patients (n = 109) at a standard withdrawal treatment unit were randomly assigned to IP or day hospital groups. In both settings, identical psychosocial treatment was given. In this article, results of primary (percent days abstinent and drinks per drinking day) and secondary outcome measures (relapses during treatment, premature termination, additional hospitalisation during follow-up, percent of voluntary abstinent days and continuous abstinence) are reported. Outcome measures were assessed quarterly during a 1-year follow-up period. Patients improved significantly after both treatments, but we found no significant setting or setting × time interaction effects for any primary or secondary outcome measure.

AbstractWhile many evidence‐based tools and measures exist to support child protection practice, in the United Kingdom, there is little evidence of their routine use in casework. This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the use of such tools with children and families receiving statutory social care services. Fifteen social workers working in child safeguarding teams in two local authorities in Southeast England agreed to incorporate the use of outcome measures into their casework over a 6‐month period. Qualitative data were collected through monthly action learning workshops held separately in each local authority. The results showed how the impact of using the measures was shaped by a combination of institutional factors, practice context and the dynamics of casework. Outcome measures were found to have benefits as well as limitations with respect to partnership working, assessment and decision‐making and overall social work practice. Implications are discussed for the prospects of enhancing the use of evidence‐based tools in statutory social work with children and families.

Purpose
– There are currently no national adult safeguarding outcome measures that focus on people who have been through an adult safeguarding investigation in England. There is a need for local authorities (LAs) and their partners to be able to measure whether the services provided to adults at risk of abuse and neglect are effective. The paper aims to discuss these issues.


Design/methodology/approach
– This paper describes the cognitive testing phase of a study to develop and implement a standardised adult at risk outcome measure in adult safeguarding for use by LAs in England. An outcome measure (a set of seven survey questions administered in a face to face interview) was cognitively tested in three LAs with adults at risk (or their carers/advocates) for whom an investigation of abuse had been concluded (n=40), with the aim of assessing whether it was commonly understood. A set of guidance notes was designed and LA staff (n=12) who assisted with the survey were interviewed about its usability and the feasibility of administering the survey.


Findings
– The survey questions required modifications to improve their reliability, validity and comparability. LA staff also suggested improvements were needed in the guidance document and survey. LA managers, adults at risk (and their relatives/carers/advocates) were willing to be involved in the survey and it was considered feasible to proceed with piloting the measure.


Originality/value
– The development of this unique survey is of interest to those working in adult safeguarding, user involvement, survey management and outcome measurement in LAs.