1. Local Authority Research Difference to Services for
Consortium: Making a
Difference to Services for
Children

2. What is LARC ?
A collaborative partnership between organisations, LAs and researchers to draw together evidence and shared learning about the early impact of integrated children’s services
The partners are: 24 (30) LAs, RiP, NFER, EMIE at NFER, with support from IDeA, LGA, CWDC and DCSF
The project has a formal governance framework, project protocols and pooled funding
LARC Round 1: March 2007 – April 2008
LARC Round 2: September 2008 – December 2009
LARC Round 3: February 2010 – December 2010

3. Build research intelligence and capacity in LAs
From LARC 1 to LARC 3
Progressive focusing (from early impact of integrated children’s services to cost-effectiveness of CAF)
Build research intelligence and capacity in LAs
Identify what works, for whom and in what circumstances – transferable messages

4. NFER impact model Institutional/systemic embedding Changes to outcomes
Time
Institutional/systemic embedding 4
Changes to outcomes 3
Changes to routines, experiences, attitudes 2
Changes to inputs/processes 1
Population affected
[Morris and Golden, 2005]

5. LARC 1: (E.g.) Integrated working and LAC
Quicker, more coordinated response, greater range of support
Children feel happier, safer
Improved social relationships and improved self-esteem

6. Policy context and LARC
Organisation and effectiveness of front line services
Early intervention and prevention
Role and effectiveness of CAF
Engagement of schools and other local services
Joint leadership and accountability
Ofsted unannounced inspections (CAFs over 12 months)
The Laming Report
2020 Children’s Workforce Strategy
Children’s Plan
Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act
Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures
CWDC updated guidance
National eCAF project (from spring 2010)

7. The research questions for LARC 2
Does the CAF process support the achievement of better outcomes for children and young people?
What are the key factors that promote the effectiveness of CAF in different contexts?

8. Rationale
The study of the CAF was a proxy for exploring the impact of integrated working in Children’s Services.
Looking at the CAF process helped to provide insights into the impact that integrated practice in children’s services had on:
children and young people
their families
the professionals who worked with them
the services themselves

9. The challenges… No theoretical framework for integrated working
Each LA working in a different context…
…with different priorities
Sign-up by DCS – managed and conducted by operational staff

10. These are framed in terms of
What works for whom and in what circumstances
These are framed in terms of
Mechanisms
Contexts
Outcomes
Theory
The LARC approach:
Realistic evaluation
Programme specification
Hypotheses
Based on Pawson and Tilley, 1997
What might work for whom and in what circumstances
Multi-method data collection and analysis on M, C, O
Observations

11. The research process Overall research question (CAF process)
Chosen theme (schools)
Group hypotheses (e.g. KS3)
Individual LA work
Other themes
LARC picture
(CAF process)
Conclusions and recommendations
Group findings (e.g. KS3)
Individual LA learning

12. Timetable Thematic conclusions Supported research in LAs
December (2008)
Workshops to finalise propositions
January to July (2009)
Supported research in LAs
March (2009)
June (2009)
Thematic workshops
September (2009) (Dartington)
December (2009) (draft report)
January (2010) London conference
Thematic conclusions

13. Engaging Schools Context and outcome groups
Children’s Trust arrangements
Lead Professional Role
Engaging children, young people and families
Early years
Non-attenders (Key Stage 3)
At risk of negative outcomes
LAs (total)
Engaging Schools

14. Context and outcome groups
Children’s Trust arrangements
Lead Professional Role
Engaging children, young people and families
Early years 2
Non-attenders (Key Stage 3) 4 1
At risk of negative outcomes 7 3
LAs (total) 11 6

15. On understanding the impact of CAF locally
Impact of LARC 2?
On understanding the impact of CAF locally
Clearer insights into who is doing CAF
Identification of strategies that have helped engage schools – and other agencies
Identification of what works
On practice
More strategic use of CAF
Increasing the amount of early intervention and prevention work
Greater sharing of findings to help embedding
Creating user participation groups
On capacity building
Better training for lead professionals
Closer integration of research and practice

16. Early findings suggest that the CAF process appears to have:
What does LARC 2 research tell us about integrated working?
supported better coordination of services and joint working to improve the outcomes for children, young people and families
improved commitment to early intervention and prevention across multi-agency groups
improved understanding and appreciation of the roles, remits and support offered by different services.
progress is clearly being made in engaging agencies in joint work – but more needs to be done
Early findings suggest that the CAF process appears to have:

17. Cost-effectiveness of CAF?
Where next for LARC (3)?
Cost-effectiveness of CAF?
Status quo
Invest to save?
Time and resources

18. For further details about the findings, please contact: W: E: T:
For further information about
LARC3, please contact Jane Lewis: