Sibling group leaders
Whether you are setting up a sibling group for the first time or have been running groups for many years, this section will give you guidelines and activities to help you run your group
How to evaluate a sibling group
When most sibling group leaders evaluate their sibling group, they often ask siblings for feedback about their experience of attending the group. This tends to only tell group leaders whether siblings have enjoyed the group or not, and if they have made new friends. It does not tell them whether or not attending the group has made a difference to the siblings’ lives.
What is the purpose of evaluating your group?
The main purpose for evaluating your group is to find out if it is having the desired impact on siblings, both in the short and long term. This information is vital in order to demonstrate to parents, referrers and funders that the group is making a difference to siblings.
What criteria can you measure to evaluate your group?
Sibs FRAME model of group work is designed to deliver positive changes in the following for siblings and therefore these are the criteria to measure:
- Sibling mental well being
- Communication between siblings and parents about worries and about disability
- Relationships between siblings and their disabled brothers and sisters
- Behaviour, concentration and performance in school
- Behaviour and family dynamics at home
- Siblings’ helping themselves and each other at difficult times
- Siblings’ participation in mainstream groups such as Brownies and football clubs.
How can you measure the criteria?
The criteria can be measured:
Qualitatively, by the percentage of children where there has been positive change; for example, 95% of siblings who attended the group had improved wellbeing.
Qualitatively, through personal quotes and case studies; for example, ‘Since attending the group my son has been much happier in himself and is now joining in with an after school club’
What data will you need to collect and when?
Evaluation needs to be thought through whilst you are making plans and costings for running your group. You need to collect data on the above criteria both before and after the group. Ideally you would collect post group data a few weeks after the end of the group and again three months later. Data can be collected through pre and post group questionnaires or interviews with siblings, parents and teachers. Although more time consuming, interviews will give you more information about the impact of the group and what the sibling and parent feel about changes that have happened. Interviews give you the opportunity to ask additional questions about the impact.
How will you present the results?
Your results can be presented in a written report, a DVD or in a presentation. Make sure that you have asked families for permission to use case studies and quotes. Give plenty of specific examples of how siblings and their families have benefitted.