The development of the Outcomes Star: a participatory approach to assessment and outcome measurement

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe the development process for the Outcomes Stars as a suite of tools which are designed to simultaneously measure and support change when working with vulnerable people as service users. It describes the original process of development of the first Star, in homelessness services in the UK, and subsequent roll out to other client groups and in other countries. The paper indicates the theoretical and philosophical under‐pinning of an approach which aims to embody both research and values‐based practice in empowerment and respect for the individual.Design/methodology/approachAs a case study of development by the development team, the paper is based on first‐hand knowledge but builds upon extensive consultations with practitioners and users and relates these to the needs and strengths of service users, the contemporary policy framework, and wider research in the field.FindingsThe Outcomes Star draws on the core principles of Action Research and Participatory Action Research and extends them beyond research into assessment and outcome measurement. As yet there has been no formal research on the usefulness of the Star approach; but, there is a rapid take up of this approach within the UK and further afield. The paper argues that the approach has proved popular, because the Outcomes Star is rooted in a philosophy that is more in tune with that of people delivering services and more closely reflects the reality of those receiving services, compared to traditional measurement techniques.Practical implicationsThe paper aims to stimulate further thought and effective practice in measuring outcomes for vulnerable people, and on the most useful means to engage and support people in the co‐production of their own futures.Originality/valueAlthough the development and take‐up of the Outcomes Star approach has been rapid in practice, this is the first paper in which these more theoretical and philosophical roots have been outlined and explored in such depth. It will be of use to service providers, to deepen their awareness, and to commissioners, policy makers and regulatory bodies wishing to promote practical approaches to quality assurance of evidence‐based and evidence‐generating practice. It will also be of interest to moral philosophers and others wishing to understand the translation of values into social practice.

The development of a healing model of care for an Indigenous drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation service: a community-based participatory research approach

“…Defining Indigenous residential rehabilitation programs using standardised core components with flexible activities specific to each service, as articulated in this paper, provides one possible solution to the problem of the inconsistent delivery and diverging views on the appropriateness and efficacy of treatment components. The authors note there are a number of models that could be used to guide the development of services in addition to the logic model framework that the research partnership have utilised in current example, such as Outcomes Star (MacKeith, 2011 ). However the primary difference of the current research in comparison to other models, is that the research partnership have been able to define the service delivery in concrete terms in a way that is both standardised (core components) and flexible (specific activities).…”

Improving community support for older people’s needs through commissioning third sector services: a qualitative study

“…Despite these concerns, there was evidence of some standardized tools being used successfully. Two respondents referred to using published tools as part of an assessment: the Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Star 20 and the Social Insight Tool. 21 Although the Outcomes Star is an outcomes measure, the participant described how the multiple domains of the tool were used to prompt a conversation about needs.…”

Advancing services for adult ADHD: the development of the ADHD Star as a framework for multidisciplinary interventions

“…The development process for the ADHD Star closely followed the established four-stage process for developing an Outcomes Star [38], and as described by Empirical Existential—Phenomenological Research [39]. In summary, the methodology draws on the core principles of Participatory Action Research, based on data collection, reflection and action [40]; clinical practitioners are involved in the research process from the initial design of the project, through data gathering and analysis, to final conclusions and actions arising out of the research [41].…”