Evaluation of the impact of Stronger Families, Functional Family Therapy in Suffolk: Draft Interim Report

Stronger Families Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in Suffolk began in February 2019 and is delivered through a Social Impact Bond (SIB) partnership including Suffolk County Council, Bridges Outcomes Partnerships and Family Psychology Mutual.

The purpose of the evaluation is to address two key questions:

1. Is the intervention effective in achieving intended outcomes for young people and families supported in Suffolk?
2. What factors influence effectiveness in achieving intended outcomes? How has Stronger Families FFT been delivered in the Suffolk context? What works well or not so well?

The evaluation incorporates a rich mix of qualitative and quantitative evidence to tell the story of the therapy delivered and the journey taken by families as a result. This includes stakeholder perceptions; intervention evidence reviews (IECs) for 25 families; four family case studies which draw on triangulated perceptions from therapists, referring practitioners, and the families themselves; and analysis of programme performance data.