A three-year comparative longitudinal study of a school-based social work family service to reduce truancy, delinquency and school exclusions

Abstract

A three-year longitudinal school-based family social work service in two project schools was compared with the 'standard' service of two comparative schools, in respect to truancy, delinquency, school-exclusions, family functioning and school morale. A multi-method evaluation demonstrated significantly better outcomes in the project schools, halving truancy; reducing delinquency, improving teachers'morale and pupils'educational achievements. A cautious cost-benefit analysis identified a 250 per cent 'saving' above the cost of the project.

Keywords:

• Social Work
• Child
• Family
• Outcome
• Exclusions
• Delinquency
• Schools
• Cost Benefit