Suicide Bereavement Support Service: evaluation report - year 2

6. Reflections on the service logic model

A service logic model was developed before this evaluation was commissioned. In this chapter, we discuss the extent to which the different components of the logic model reflect the service model and delivery approach, and the outcomes achieved. The logic model is shown below.

Link to detailed description of infographic content

6.1 Scope of the evaluation

The following components of the logic model on the previous page are outside the scope of this evaluation:

• Intermediate and long-term outcomes could not be tested within the pilot and evaluation timeframe.
• An assessment of cost effectiveness of the service.
• Outcomes related to feeling suicidal or experiencing suicidal ideation, and feelings of hopefulness, shame or guilt have not been measured as no validated tools that could effectively measure this were used in the evaluation. However, it is important to acknowledge that the qualitative evidence gathered through interviews with people supported by the SBSS indicates that the support provided by the service contributes to these outcomes.

The initial logic model also included a mechanism of impact that referred to the service ‘ensuring appropriate services are in place to support people who are signposted to them by the SBSS’. This has been removed as the SBSS is not able to ensure appropriate services are in place to meet the wider needs of the people they support.

6.2 Assessment of logic model components

In this section, we discuss each component of the logic model and assess the extent to which it has been achieved and/or accurately reflects the actions, processes and outcomes of the service.

Actions

Logic model component: The service identifies and works with local organisations to develop and maintain referral processes and pathways into and from the service.

Assessment: A core area of activity for the service has been in working with stakeholders, partners, and other organisations to develop and maintain referral pathways. However, this is an area of work that requires continued focus and repeat activity, to ensure referral pathways are embedded and maintained.

Logic model component: The service carries out awareness-raising activities, including the development and distribution of materials about the service for referral organisations and people bereaved by suicide.

Assessment: A wide variety of awareness-raising and relationship development activity has taken place to increase the profile of the service and establish a variety of referral pathways into the service.

Logic model component: The service recruits appropriate support staff and provides them with appropriate induction and ongoing training and development to equip them for their role.

Assessment: People supported by the service have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about the nature and approach of staff. Service staff report that their initial training, supplemented by ongoing training and development, ensures they feel equipped for their role.

Logic model component: The service allocates support staff in a timely manner to people bereaved by suicide who access the service.

Assessment: Evidence suggests that most referrals are allocated to a practitioner within 24 hours of being received.

Logic model component: The service provides appropriate ongoing support and development to service support staff.

Assessment: Service staff reported being provided with and having access to a range of formal and informal support, which they reported to be effective. This includes supervision, debriefs, reflective practice and peer support. Staff report being encouraged to identify and participate in further training and development opportunities.

Logic model component: The service develops and embeds required risk assessment, safeguarding and governance processes.

Assessment: Service staff confirmed the relevant policies and processes are in place and are understood by staff

Mechanisms of impact

Logic model component: Organisations referring to the service are aware of and understand the service and how to refer appropriately to the service.

Assessment: It stands to reason that if an organisation has made a referral, then they are aware of the service. Referral organisations that we have engaged with through the evaluation demonstrated a basic understanding of the service, knew how to refer people, and found the referral process simple and straightforward. People that were referred to the SBSS also confirmed that the information they received about the service in advance of the referral was accurate.

Logic model component: People bereaved by suicide are aware of or able to find out about the service and how to access it

Assessment: Feedback from some people about the difficulty they had in finding out about and accessing the service suggests that further work is required to increase the visibility of the service and information about accessing it.

Logic model component: Organisations receiving referrals from the service are aware of and understand the service and are able and willing to receive referrals.

Assessment: Only a very small number of organisations that have received referrals from the service engaged with the evaluation. Feedback from these organisations indicates that they welcome referrals from the service and confirmed that they understood the service, having had discussions with staff prior to referrals being made. However, the evidence base is too small to reliably comment on the extent to which this is consistent across all organisations that have received referrals from the service.

Logic model component: Service support staff understand the support and services available from other organisations in the locality and appropriately refer or signpost people to these organisations.

Assessment: Staff reported having a good understanding of the service and support available locally. Feedback from staff and people supported by the service confirms that referral and signposting are discussed as appropriate to meet needs.

Logic model component: Service support staff are able and supported to provide compassionate, responsive, and person-centred support to people bereaved by suicide.

Assessment: Service staff reported feeling well supported in their role and see a compassionate, responsive and person-centred approach to providing support as a fundamental and core aspect of their work. This was further evidenced by feedback from people about their experience of the support they received.

Outcomes

Logic model component: People bereaved by suicide are able to access (referred or self-referred) the service easily and in a timely manner.

Assessment: Easy and timely access has not been the experience of all people. For many, their path to finding and accessing the service has been difficult and resulted in them receiving support later than they would have liked. Further work is required to meet this outcome.

Logic model component: People bereaved by suicide are signposted/referred to and are supported to access local sources of support that are relevant to and able to support their needs.

Assessment: Feedback from service staff and people supported by the service confirms that different sources of support are explored and aligned to people’s needs, and signposting/referral activity takes place as required.

Logic model component: People bereaved by suicide experience the service as providing support that is compassionate, relevant to their needs and is person/family centred.

Assessment: Feedback from people supported by the service demonstrates that they have experienced and received person-centred and person-led support which focuses on their needs and preferences and has been provided in a compassionate manner.

Logic model component: People bereaved by suicide are better able to cope with day-to-day life because of the support they have received

Assessment: Consistency of feedback and evidence gathered during discussions with people supported by the service provides a strong indication that this outcome is being achieved.

Logic model component: People bereaved by suicide experience improved mental well-being because of the support they have received.

Assessment: Consistency of feedback and evidence gathered during discussions with people supported by the service and through SWEMWBS data collected provides strong evidence that this outcome is being achieved.