‘Engager’ formative process evaluation: Evaluation/development of a two-stage behaviour change intervention for offenders

Abstract

A Realist formative evaluation to evaluate/develop a two-stage behaviour change intervention to support health and wellbeing of offenders. A logic model outlined contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes considered important in enabling two-stages of behaviour change: 1) practitioners’, 2) offenders’. Nine practitioners and 30 men in the intervention took part. Twenty session recordings, 9 practitioners’ notes, and ‘realist interviews’ with 20 offenders and 9 practitioners were collected and analysed using Framework Analysis. Whilst practitioners believed in the Engager model and felt inspired and empowered to work in new ways, reasons for slow behaviour change included a lack of clarity about the theoretical approach, inconsistent supervision, role uncertainty, initially greater confidence in practiced ways of behaving in challenging situations, and cultural/practical difficulties of prison contexts. Offenders reported trusting and liking Engager practitioners and strong engagement with Engager and other services, often against expectations of services familiar with them. The formative evaluation highlighted particular mechanisms/contexts that were barriers/ facilitators to offender health behaviour change. These informed changes to the Delivery Platform (logic model, manual, training, supervision) for the RCT.