A three-year comparative longitudinal study of a school-based social work family service to reduce truancy, delinquency and school exclusions

Authors: Pritchard, C. and Williams, R.

Journal: Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law

Volume: 23

Issue: 1

Pages: 23-43

eISSN: 1469-9621

ISSN: 0964-9069

DOI: 10.1080/01418030121650

Abstract:

A three-year longitudinal school-based family social work service in two project schools was compared with the ‘standard’ service of two comparative schools, in respect to truancy, delinquency, school-exclusions, family functioning and school morale. A multi-method evaluation demonstrated significantly better outcomes in the project schools, halving truancy; reducing delinquency, improving teachers’ morale and pupils’ educational achievements. A cautious cost-benefit analysis identified a 250 per cent ‘saving’ above the cost of the project. © 2001 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Source: Scopus