Extended Hope Service Evaluation Report

This document describes an evaluation of Extended HOPE, a program aimed at providing after-hours mental health support to young people in crisis. The program, which includes an Assessment and Support Service and a Residential Service named HOPE House, strives to reduce unnecessary service use and enhance empowerment among children and parents. Employing a Realistic Evaluation framework, the evaluation analyzed service data, patient experiences, and qualitative data from interviews and focus groups. Findings show that Extended HOPE effectively addressed mental health needs, prevented hospitalizations and emergency visits, and bolstered family resilience. However, no significant changes in mental health symptoms were noted, suggesting the need for longer-term studies and alternative outcome measures. Despite implementation challenges like staffing and operational issues, the program demonstrated a positive return on investment and secured continued funding. Recommendations for the future include better communication, service expansion, and more accessible contact options for service users. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Education (DfE)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Value for money evaluation; Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Theory-based methods
• Theory-based methods: Realist evaluation
• Value for money methods: Cost-benefit analysis
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: July 2017

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes