Communities for Children outcomes measurement matrix
This resource is designed to assist Communities for Children (CfC) service providers with locating valid and reliable tools to measure program outcomes. It may also be useful for other service providers who work with children and families. Please note that inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of particular products.
How to use the matrix
This matrix sets out the child, parent and family outcomes that commonly feature in CfC programs, along with a selection of corresponding measurement instruments. You can access information about how to administer and source your preferred instrument via the links below the tables. Definitions of the specific outcomes are also provided.
The matrix can be used by CfC providers to find outcomes measures that are both valid and appropriate for the context of the program; that is, target group, program type, method of delivery, etc. For instance, if you want to know whether your program has resulted in improved family functioning the matrix provides you with 3 instrument options (FAM-III, FACES-IV and FES) to explore further.
Please note that the matrix doesn’t provide an exhaustive list of available tools and you will need to thoroughly assess any particular tool before using it. Explanatory details about the instruments are provided in the matrix and you can always contact the developer of the tool to discuss your requirements.
Child outcomes
| Child outcome | ASQ ($) | ASQ- TRAK ($) | BECS ($) | BERS-2 ($) | CDRISC ($) | CSEI-SC ($) | ECQE ($) | IPPA- R | M&MF | PEDS ($) | PIPPS ($) | PSI ($) | PWI- SC | RSCA ($) | RQ ($) | SCBE ($) | SDQ | SSIS ($) | WAI ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improved early childhood development/ school readiness | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||
| Improved social and emotional wellbeing | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||
| Increased social skills | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
| Improved peer relationships | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||
| Reduced behavioural problems | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||||
| Improved personal wellbeing | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
| Increased resilience | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
| Improved parent-child relationship | x |
Parent/carer outcomes
| Parent outcome | EPDS | FACES- IV ($) | FAM-III ($) | FES ($) | GEM | ISEL | ISSB | K10 | KPCS | PAFAS | PEEM | PRQ85 | PS | PSAM | PSI ($) | PSOC | PWI-A | SPS | SSQ6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improved family functioning | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||
| Improved parent- child relationship | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
| Increased parental confidence and capacity | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
| Improved mental health | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||||
| Reduced parental stress | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
| Improved personal wellbeing | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
| Improved responses to child's behaviour | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||
| Improved connections with the community | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Community outcomes
For information on measuring community outcomes, see Demonstrating community-wide outcomes: Exploring the issues for child and family services.