Perinatal and infant mental health programme: evaluability assessment

4 Summary of EA recommendations

We recommend that:

a) A Monitoring and Evaluation Advisory group is convened to oversee the development and delivery of the programme of work for the evaluation

b) The Theory of Change model (programme logic model) is developed more fully to reflect the inputs into the programme ('the left hand side of the model').

c) A Theory Based evaluation based on the Theory of Change is undertaken using a series of 'before-and-after' studies. Because implementation of parts of the workplans have been undertaken at different stages, there may be several different timepoints for the baseline of the evaluation. This will depend on the timing of the roll out of different parts of the programme. This should not have a major impact on the evaluation itself.

d) Seven studies are undertaken at baseline and at 3 to 5 years post implementation with a different cohort of perinatal women and infants. These are:

i. Analysis of existing data

ii. Clinical Note Review

iii. Survey/Interviews with women and their families in the perinatal period

iv. Survey/Interviews with practitioners who work with women and their families in the perinatal period and/or with infants in the very early years

v. Mapping of Existing Services

vi. Monitoring and recording of progress of implementing the programme

vii. Literature reviews of women's mental health in the perinatal period and of infants' mental health (if not already undertaken)