Starting with therapy outcomes in mind

Outcomes need to be front of mind for therapists from the very beginning of a family’s Early Intervention journey. 

“You start with the ending in mind,” Noah’s Ark Quality and Innovation Manager Jane Tinkler says. 

“When you have the privilege of working alongside children and families, including those exploring developmental delay or disability, it’s our responsibility to ensure that outcomes are achieved,” Ms Tinkler says. 

It’s this progress, or achievement of, Early Intervention goals that may well then be moments to celebrate for families.  

Importantly, it’s also the data’s time to shine. 

“This data shows we consistently achieve outcomes with the people we work with,” Ms Tinkler says. 

“Outcome measurement is embedded in our practice – it's a key part of that responsibility to achieve goals and part of ensuring best practice for the families we work with.” 

Noah’s Ark has used the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for the past 15 years to collect this data. 

Ms Tinkler says use of the evidence-based outcome measure is demonstrative of Noah’s Ark’s ongoing commitment to quality.  

“The COPM was selected because it was a semi-structured, conversational-style interview that aligns with our model of service delivery and allows us to focus on meaningful participation in everyday activities,” she says. 

“Firstly, it’s a measure used within the therapeutic relationship to say ‘this sounds like it’s working, or it’s not working and how can we use this information to help us plan our next steps’. 

“We use it within our assessment framework, which includes the Routines-Based Interview at initial assessment phase, so it’s really one which is about embedding outcomes measures within our practice. 

“To be able to use the COPM in the moment to celebrate successes, or to be able to reassess if the strategies need to be tweaked, really does provide flexibility as a measure in our therapeutic relationships.”  

Secondly, she says this data is collected at an organisation-wide level to be able to explore current and historical data. This is harnessed to continually ensure best practice and goals-focused work is maintained and continually improved upon. 

This aligns with a 3 (top rating) for outcomes measurement in the recent NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission Recertification Audit, which indicates elements of conformance with best practice. 

Use of the COPM as a measurement tool also aligns with the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention, in which it was a recommended tool for when looking at parenting and family culture. 

In 2018, Noah’s Ark now General Manager Impact and Outcomes, Lauren Falconer, travelled to Canada as part of an Excellence in Practice tour to further research the use of the tool and returned with that knowledge to further improve quality practice at the organisation level. 

As Thriving Kids model of service delivery approaches, Ms Tinkler says this data collection will provide a continuation of best practice alignment with outcomes remaining core to service delivery. 

“Using the COPM really does work well in short-term models of support for families to set and measure goals as part of targeted supports,” she says.