The Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) process evaluation Thematic Report No. 5: CDI and the community

Abstract

BACKGROUND In 2008, the Child and Family Research Centre (CFRC) was contracted for a three year period by the Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) to undertake a process evaluation of its work. This report is the fifth in the series of six thematic reports. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this evaluation is to examine the role of the community in the work of CDI. Following consultations with CDI, a number of overarching questions were identified as key to the research: • Who are the community? • What was the core logic model regarding how the strategy would be shaped by the local community? • What structures and processes were established to achieve this? • What worked well? • What challenges were encountered? • How or is the community involved in every aspect of CDI’s work? • What is the view of the community regarding the work of CDI? • Does the community feel part of the CDI process? METHODS AND LIMITATIONS This report has been undertaken following a multi-method qualitative approach. The following methods were used: • Literature review establishing the origins of community engagement, examining the rationale behind its use and presenting a framework for analysing mechanisms of engagement; • Extensive documentary analysis of a range of CDI documents including strategic documents (e.g. annual reports, IPA report, Strategic and Communication working groups), newsletters, and evaluation reports. A framework examining community was generated and agreed with CDI. • 42 interviews with key informants including CDI team members, Board and Implementation Support Group members, Consortium members, and staff members from the five services. The data was organised and analysed in relation to three levels: CDI team and governance structures; CDI commissioned service providers; and the wider community. The evaluation team also adopted a three-phased approach to examine community: the development phase; implementation; and the next, post-implementation, phase. The overarching limitation of this report is the absence of the direct voice of the community – reflecting prior decisions not to undertake survey work, and practical difficulties in accessing other non-CDI connected community actors.