Enhanced Case Management Evaluation (Phase two: analysis of reoffending rates) (January 2024)

Summary:

This research was commissioned by the YJB and carried out by Opinion Research Services

The key aim of this study is to consider the following questions:

1. Are participants on the ECM project more or less likely to reoffend than those in the control group?

2. Is repeat reoffending lower or higher for those on the ECM project compared to the control group?

3. Is the severity of the offences committed by those who did reoffend from the ECM programme different to those in the control group?

Description:

Findings showed that ECM had no statistically significant effects on reoffending (relative to usual services), i.e. the number of reoffences were similar for children who took part in the ECM programme and for children who did not take part in the programme. Our ability to draw conclusions are limited by the small sample size. Only 17 children who received ECM were included in the final analysis. This means we have insufficient evidence to confidently conclude that ECM is not effective.

It is important to consider that this report only considered reoffending. Other outcomes such as the children’s mental health or educational attainment are just as important. The Phase 1 evaluation report from this study found qualitative evidence that these did improve for children suggesting a wider range of potential benefits of ECM.