Outcome Based Practice

Outcome based practice, is defined by the Scottish Government as “an outcomes-based approach encourages us all to focus on the differences that we make and not just the input or processes over which we have control” (Scottish Government 2011). In 2011, the English Government launched is first framework of outcomes for adult health and social care. Within this framework, they stated “set of outcomes measures which have been agreed to be of value, both nationally and locally for demonstrating the achievements of adult social care”. The Social Care Institute for Excellence define ‘outcomes’ as follows:
“Outcomes are defined as the impact, or end-results, of services on a person’s life; therefore outcomes-focused services are those that aim to achieve the priorities that service users themselves identify as important.” A study carried out at York University by Harris et al (2005) broke outcomes down into 4 sections, these being Autonomy, personal comfort, economic participation and social participation. Autonomy outcomes were broken down into the following sections by the above study:
Access to all areas of the home; Access to locality and wider environment; Communicative access and Financial security Personal Comfort outcomes were broken down into the following sections by the above study:
Personal hygiene; Safety/security; Desired level of cleanliness of the home; Emotional wellbeing and Physical health. Economic Participation outcomes were broken down into the following sections by the above study:
Access to paid employment as desired; Access to training; Access to further/higher education/employment and Access to appropriate training for new skills (e.g. lip reading). Social Participation outcomes were broken down into the following sections by the above study:
Access to mainstream leisure activities; Access to support in parenting roles; Access to support for personal secure