Programme Evaluation: A Practical Guide for Practitioners in Health Care, Social Care and Education

This book offers a comprehensive, practice-based introduction to conducting effective programme evaluations. It presents the Trident Approach, a three-prong framework focused on outcomes, processes, and stakeholder perspectives that supports robust, real-world evaluations.

Designed for practitioners, policy professionals, managers, and students, this guide walks readers through every stage of the evaluation lifecycle―from identifying needs and formulating questions, to gathering credible data and communicating actionable findings. The book balances methodological guidance with practical tools, case examples, and insights drawn from real evaluation practice. Whether you’re seeking to improve service quality, meet accountability demands, fulfil accreditation requirements, or influence policy, this book equips you to conduct evaluations that are credible, useful, and grounded in everyday professional contexts. More than just a technical manual, it fosters a reflective mindset―one committed to learning, integrity, and positive change.

Programme Evaluation: A Practical Guide for Practitioners in Health Care, Social Care and Education is an essential resource for those who wish to use evaluation to generate insight, foster improvement, encourage continuous quality improvement, and support evidence-informed practice.

Roger Ellis is Professor of Applied Psychology at the universities of Ulster and Chester. In 1999, he established the Social and Health Evaluation Unit which has completed more than 100 programme evaluations. He received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) recognising his work in the application of psychology in complex real-life situations including social skill training; quality assurance; and latterly programme evaluation. He has written 15 books dedicated to the communication and utility of psychology.

Elaine Hogard is Professor of Programme Evaluation and Director of Assessment and Programme Evaluation at NOSM University. She has taught and supervised in Canada, the USA, the UK, and has published extensively on programme evaluation theory, method, and practice. Her evaluations span education, health, and social care, emphasising practical application to complex issues. She is committed to democratising knowledge by ensuring evaluation findings are accessible, meaningful, and useful to practitioners, policymakers, and communities alike.