The Evaluation of Adult Rehabilitation Programmes

This article provides a description of evaluation procedures and methods which can be applied in the area of adult rehabilitation. The authors consider various models and argue for a mixture within a systems approach, preferably involving longitudinal data. It is also argued that information must be collected, not just from objective measures of performance, but in relation to the philosophy, objectives and goals of the agency. Coherent, integrated approaches improve rehabilitation services, and therefore it is critical that these aspects are measured in any evaluation. A strong case is made for the use of qualitative as well as quantitative analysis, while ensuring that information is collected directly from clients, sponsors and service staff. The authors provide several examples within the area of adult rehabilitation and conclude with recommendations for future service evaluations.