IEN Seminar - 6th November
Service Evaluation Processes and Liabilities: A Commissioner's Perspective, by Marian Quinn, The Childhood Development Initiative Ltd.
Drawing on the experience of commissioning multiple independent evaluations, and managing diverse findings, Marian Quinn referenced the work of the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and identified some of the factors which have shaped the CDI experience of commissioning, supporting, interpreting and disseminating service evaluations.
Having commissioned a number of academic institutions and individual researchers, Marian highlighted the challenges in undertaking rigorous research whilst retaining a community development ethos; balancing the desire for independence and transparency alongside the centrality of relationships and trust; and maintaining integrity whist keeping multiple stakeholders on board.
Winding down and de-commissioning services as a result of evaluation findings was considered, as was the learning in relation to scaling up proven models.
Marian Quinn is Chief Executive of the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI), an organisation co-funded by Government and philanthropy, to design, deliver and evaluate a range of services aimed at improving outcomes for children and families. Based in a disadvantaged area of Dublin, this has involved commissioning multiple independent evaluations, developing a broad range of quality assurance processes and delivery mechanisms, and balancing an evidence informed approach with a community led ethos. Her work in CDI has offered Marian the opportunity to lead a significant knowledge transfer process for diverse audiences, support front line practitioners and their line managers to take on new approaches, and establish excellent governance structures and systems in a green field site.
Marian has previously worked in the Department of Justice where she had responsibility for children and families in the asylum process, and the Health Services Executive as Director of Children’s Services. She has also worked in the voluntary sector with early school leavers and young people at risk. She wrote and managed a national crime prevention initiative, and has been published widely in relation to youth crime.
Marian has presented to national and international audiences on the development and enhancement of services for children and families, evidence based approaches and change management processes. She is a qualified Life Coach and has a Masters in Adult Education. She is a member of the Board of Management for the the new National Childrens’ Hospital and also the Board of the Airfield Trust, and is currently Chair of the Prevention and Early Intervention Network.
Marian is co-author of Click Click, the number one best seller telling the true story of the three Kavanagh sisters and their journey to overcome child sex abuse.