Will the lessons be learned? Reflections on local authority evaluations and the use of research evidence

Sure Start programmes are complex, community-based initiatives - forerunners of the Children's Centres Initiative - that have been evaluated nationally and locally. Using an in-depth, retrospective case study of an evaluation of one local programme, the authors raise key issues pertinent to both practice and evaluation in the field, highlighting conflicts and dilemmas both within evaluation generally and, specifically, relating to the evaluation of this programme. We illustrate the difficulties placed on local evaluators by the lack of clear structures within which to work, and provide useful lessons as we move forward into the development and evaluations of new services for children and families.