Outcome-based measurement for developmental services
A human capabilities-oriented framework
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19472396 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Monica Carminati (0000-0002-2149-5394, University of Bergamo), Laura Mariani (0000-0002-3862-8894, University of Bergamo, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Evaluation (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1356-3890 • E-ISSN: 1461-7153 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13563890261434567 |
| OpenAlex | W7161287029 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 35 |
Organizations delivering developmental services for people with disabilities increasingly face demands to demonstrate their impact. To capture the complexity, personalization, and contextual variability of these services, the Human Capabilities approach is a promising perspective since it shifts the focus from service provision to what individuals are effectively able to do and be, also considering both personal agency and structural constraints. This study proposes an outcome-based framework aligned with the Human Capability approach and developed by integrating the Theory of Change and Realist Evaluation. The findings draw on thematic analysis of 31 interviews with staff from seven Training Services for Autonomy in Italy. The resulting framework maps resources, activities, and outcomes in a non-linear structure, accommodating the diversity of user needs and trajectories, and includes a dual-level performance system focused on individualized assessment of user capabilities and organizational performance. A core feature of the model lies in its integration of user-centered goals with contextual and mechanism-sensitive evaluation, ensuring both strategic orientation and adaptive learning in complex human service contexts
Autonomy · Capability approach · Human services · Personalization · Service delivery framework · Thematic analysis · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Health Policy Implementation Science · Healthcare innovation and challenges
The Science of Evaluation
Theory‐based evaluation
What can “thematic analysis” offer health and wellbeing researchers?
Thematic analysis
Creating Capabilities
Following up on #fitspiration
Disability, Health and Human Development
Accountability Myopia
The Rationalization of Charity
How is the Capability Approach Applied to Assess Well-being Impacts? A Systematic Review
Designing an Integrated Care Initiative for Vulnerable Families
Disability, vulnerability and citizenship
Theories of Change and Realistic Evaluation
Combining Theories of Change and Realist Evaluation in practice
Social Work at the Crossroads
Insights for Measuring Social Value
Actor roles in co‐production—Introducing intermediaries
Adaptation of Nussbaum's Capabilities Framework to Community Mental Health
Valuing the Icecap capability index for older people
Value Creation in the Public Service Ecosystem
Unpacking Black Boxes
Operationalising the capability approach for outcome measurement in mental health research
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |