Challenges for the Evaluation of the P.I.P.P.I. - Programme of Intervention for Prevention of Institutionalisation: between Partecipative and Experimental Pathways

TitleChallenges for the Evaluation of the P.I.P.P.I. - Programme of Intervention for Prevention of Institutionalisation: between Partecipative and Experimental Pathways
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsSerbati S, Santello F, Colombini S, Milani P
JournalInterdisciplinary Journal of Family Studies
Volume21
Issue2
Pagination1-24
Date Published12/2016
PublisherPadova University Press
Place PublishedPadova, IT
ISSN Number2282-2011
Keywordschild neglect, evaluation, Evidence Based Practice, participation, programme
Abstract

Evaluation is constantly requested by governments and decision- makers, to prove that social policies and actions undertaken are effective in responding to problems. Also, programmes contrasting child neglect are involved in such request to guarantee that children enjoy their childhood and ensure access to quality service. This paper focuses on an Italian evaluation experience of such a programme, thanks to the collaboration between University of Padua and Italian Ministry of Welfare. It is called P.I.P.P.I. - Programme of Intervention for Prevention of Institutionalisation. The paper questioned and challenged the experimental designs normally used for these evaluation purposes, highlighting how knowledge of effective treatments is far from the practices delivered. The study purposes an innovative evaluation path, intertwining the participative evaluation where the professionals build their own knowledge through an evaluation in the field, with the choice of matching as (quasi) experimental evaluation, responding to the Government’s request of effective investments.