This practice-oriented research project focussed on how the added value of complex and unfolding social work practices can be made visible in a meaningful way. The fieldwork focussed on two very different sectors: integral youth care and courses Dutch as a second language for foreign language newcomers.
During our research, organizations within the integral youth care were obliged by their subsidizing Flemish government to show their social impact, using at least three preformulated indicators. Based on in depth interviews, our research report documents how these different organisations experience the demand for more evidence on their effectiveness and which strategies the adopt in developing or partly resisting the development of tools and expertise in impact measurement and evaluation.
Looking at the courses Dutch for foreign language newcomers, we followed the ROL project (Repeteren Om te Leren/ Rehearsing for Learning) that integrates theatre techniques in language courses. Based on participatory observation and interviews with teachers, students and other stakeholders our research documents and evaluates the first two years of developing this innovative method for learning a new language in a more embodied and playful manner.