Insider/partnership evaluation: Approach and concept development

This paper presents a model of evaluation developed over a period of some 8 years. The aim was to provide a method by which direct service agencies in the mental health and substance abuse areas could cost effectively and appropriately evaluate their programs. The process adopted was constructed in line with fourth generation ideals alongside an acknowledgement of practitioner wisdom. Our desire was to utilize evaluation not only for performance assessment but also to be an intervention method in itself. Our aim was to integrate evaluation practice in everyday professional activity and promote a solution to the problems of cross-sectoral service users. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.