More than the sum of its parts : an evaluation of Ballymun Network for assisting Children and young people (2005-2010). An interagency initiative for the coordination of children’s services in Ireland. Summary report.

The rationale for this evaluation, as of any evaluation of public services, is simple. The provision of public services involves a tripartite relationship between the Government which commissions and funds services, the agencies paid to deliver them, and the people who use them. The quality of public services depends on the quality of these relationships, and on the existence of systems and processes to ensure that these relationships are transparently accountable, responsive to need, and effective in their outcomes. In an area like Ballymun where the level of need is extremely high, and where each agency is usually the sole provider of its service, it is even more important to establish that services are effective and properly coordinated. The report shows that Ballymun Network has achieved its objectives and has been a success in terms of helping to put in place robust systems for inter-agency cooperation. Ballymun now has good systems to facilitate inter-agency cooperation in responding to the needs of vulnerable young people. The report also shows that the Network has been a success in promoting other aspects of inter-agency cooperation including the joint delivery by agencies of programmes such as the Strengthening Families Programme, and the provision of joint training for front-line staff in both the therapeutic and legal aspects of caring. Beyond that, it has created considerable social capital in terms of creating constructive and friendly working relationships between managers and front-line workers across all agencies in the area