What are some tools or resources to assess and monitor client progress and outcomes?

1 Benefits of assessment and monitoring

Assessing and monitoring client progress and outcomes is not only a way to measure the impact of your services, but also a way to enhance your relationship with your clients. By using tools and resources that align with your clients' needs, preferences, and values, you can show them that you care about their feedback, that you respect their autonomy, and that you are willing to adjust your approach based on their input. This can increase their engagement, motivation, and satisfaction with your services, and also provide you with valuable information to improve your skills and knowledge.

2 Types of tools and resources

Assessing and monitoring client progress and outcomes can be done using various tools and resources that fit the goals, context, and methods. Questionnaires and surveys are standardized or customized instruments that ask clients to rate or report on their situation. Interviews and focus groups are qualitative methods that involve in-depth conversations with clients about their experiences, opinions, needs, or challenges. Observation and documentation are methods of observing and recording client behaviors, actions, or interactions in natural or controlled settings. Examples of these tools include the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45), the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ), the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique, the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) method, or the Critical Incident Technique (CIT). Additionally, Functional Assessment Observation Form (FAOF), Behavioral Observation Scale (BOS), or Goal Observation Scale (GOS) can be used to assess skills, abilities, competencies, progress, challenges, outcomes, and impacts of services.

3 How to choose and use tools and resources

Choosing and using tools and resources to assess and monitor client progress and outcomes is not a simple task. You need to consider the purpose and scope of your assessment or monitoring, the validity and reliability of the tools and resources, the feasibility and practicality of the tools and resources, as well as the ethics and sensitivity of the tools and resources. Additionally, it's essential to communicate and collaborate with your clients, supervisors, colleagues, or funders to ensure a shared understanding of the goals, expectations, and responsibilities of the assessment or monitoring process. You should obtain informed consent from clients, explain the purpose and procedures of the tools and resources, provide feedback and support throughout the process, analyze data in a clear way, report data honestly, use data to improve practice and outcomes.

4 Resources for learning more

If you are interested in learning more about assessing and monitoring client progress and outcomes in human services, there are several resources available. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) has a toolkit on Evaluating Your Program that provides guidance and examples on how to plan, implement, and use evaluation tools and methods in substance abuse treatment programs. Additionally, the American Evaluation Association (AEA) offers resources and information on evaluation theory, practice, and standards, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking with other evaluators. Furthermore, the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) publishes a journal called Research on Social Work Practice which covers topics such as assessment and monitoring of client progress and outcomes.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?