Assessment and development

Operational assessment

The purpose of Anchor work is to address the changing needs of adolescents in a timely fashion. This requires continuous local, regional and national monitoring, assessment and development of the Anchor model. The assessment of Anchor work focuses on achieving its goals at the level of the adolescent and the family as well as the organisation. It also includes monitoring the quality of Anchor work. This allows assessing the fulfilment of the goals and tasks set for Anchor work, forming an overview of the wellbeing of adolescents in the area and communicating about the work.

The assessment and monitoring of Anchor work are based on systematically and consistently collecting information from statistics and feedback. Information about Anchor work is collected through the Anchor Extranet. This information can be used as a tool for planning, developing and leading the work at the local, regional and national levels.

An Anchor work review is prepared for each team, summarising the information collected and providing a description of local or regional Anchor work. It is important to collect, monitor and assess information at the level of individual employees, Anchor work, organisations, location, area and the nation. From the point of view of an individual employee, the information collected can help promote efforts to develop the quality of the work and the opportunities to clarify the job description and tasks. In terms of Anchor work, systematic monitoring is needed to organise and develop the work, determine resource needs and monitor the effectiveness of the work.

Consistently implemented data collection improves the coordination, organisation and development of work. It also makes it easier to decide on resource needs. Furthermore, it allows comparing and monitoring the situation locally, regionally and between municipalities as well as nationwide. At the national level, data collection is needed in order to outline the situation of Anchor work, to provide and organise services and to describe the state of adolescents’ wellbeing. Regionally equal access to services requires systematic information collection.

Compilation of national statistics and reporting

Anchor work statistics are compiled using nationally standardised methods on the Extranet platform. Considering the multi-dimensional nature of crime prevention measures, their monitoring and assessment should also be based on various criteria. The work carried out with the adolescent is recorded in statistics compiled for Anchor work. In addition, statistics are compiled on collaboration between Anchor work and stakeholders. (For more information, see section Preparing statistics of the meetings, Extranet for Anchor work.)

Reports on Anchor work are submitted to the local/regional and national steering groups in the form of an annual review. Reporting is based on anonymous statistics prepared systematically of Anchor client meetings, Anchor work and personnel resources and on collected feedback. The review also describes the local or regional Anchor model, its implementation and development targets (Appendix 10). The leader coordinating Anchor work is responsible for preparing the review and for national reporting. In addition, reports about Anchor work are submitted to the municipalities engaged in Anchor work and to any partners.

Developing Anchor work

Anchor work is developed on the basis of evidence. This means that the work is based on knowledge and good practices. Preparing national statistics and reporting about Anchor work helps ensure that the work is based on evidence. Development targets can be identified on the basis of statistics and reporting. Each party implementing Anchor work is responsible for the quality of their work and for developing Anchor work.

Local and regional development of Anchor work

Anchor work is developed to address needs related to the wellbeing of adolescents in a specific city, municipality or area (Appendix 11). Adolescents and their parents or guardians can also be asked about their experiences when developing Anchor work. It is important to take the parents’ views into consideration in addition to those of adolescents, as they may differ from each other. Experiences can be surveyed through client panels, the client feedback system (box/notebook/electronic feedback system) or experts by experience.

Local and regional Anchor work is also developed by ensuring the competence of professionals. Competence is strengthened through attendance in further training and training events that are multi-professional and straddle occupational boundaries. The development of Anchor work calls for an open, reflective approach to one’s own work and to local activities. In addition, the experiences of other Anchor team professionals are used in development efforts.

Anchor work is developed in collaboration with the local steering group, the leadership team and the Anchor team in accordance with national guidelines, paying special attention to the needs of adolescents. The decision to participate in development projects is made multi-professionally between the team, leaders and the local/regional coordinator. Development efforts are based on evidence, statistics and monitoring.

National development of Anchor work

The purpose of national development is to create structures for local or regional activities and develop them to address changing needs. The national Anchor work development group, together with the responsible ministry, is responsible for the national development of Anchor work. Anchor work is developed based on evidence: the needs of adolescents, the national status of Anchor work and professionals’ experiences. Development is also based on Anchor work reviews and the statistics compiled. The development group’s task is to support efforts to measure the effectiveness of Anchor work and strengthen evidence-based work.