ThinkForward's theory of change holds that a stable relationship with a dedicated coach guides young people towards further education, training and employment¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r1 · q1
Currency · newest study 2016 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q1 i? The programme's underpinning theory of change is that a stable relationship with an individual dedicated to thinking about all aspects of a young person's future guides them towards further education or training and ultimately employment. → Demack et al. 2016

Evidence¶

Demack et al. 2016¶

Sean Demack, Colin McCaig, Claire Wolstenholme, Anna Stevens and Laura Fumagalli. (2016). ThinkForward: Evaluation report and executive summary. Education Endowment Foundation. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evaluation/projects/think-forward

q1 · i? · causal · r1

The article's statement of the programme's theory of change in the background evidence section. ThinkForward uses "a coaching methodology to support young people to identify long term ambitions, short term goals towards these and then the immediate actions required".

"The theory of change underpinning ThinkForward is that by providing a stable relationship with an individual dedicated to thinking about all aspects of their future, young people can be guided down a path towards further education or training, and ultimately future employment."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• The process evaluation found ThinkForward feasible to deliver, with teachers reporting benefits for intervention pupils' behaviour — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• The ThinkForward pilot RCT found no evidence of impact on GCSE scores, absences, or attitudes — related
• Children learn more effectively when they feel secure and have positive feelings about the people and content they encounter — a broader claim this one bears on