This evaluation considers the implementation of the Sure Start Plus Pilot (SSPP) programme at the two pilot sites of Manchester and Salford and was commissioned by the teenage pregnancy teams in these cities. It is a local evaluation considering how the programme has been implemented in the context of the national objectives and targets for the two cities. The principal investigators were Julie Wray and Barbara Hastings-Asatourian, supported by an expert project team. The team recognised that the impact of such an evaluation would not be absolutely evident in the short term and the impact of a service aimed at tackling the effects of poverty and levelling out inequality would only be successfully monitored over the longer term. However, short term objectives were set and the evaluation aimed to collect, examine and analyse data that reflected the extent to which SSPP had been implemented and monitored. This was achieved by both quantitative and qualitative methods - examining statistics and capturing the experiences and opinions of the SSPP team. Findings identified marked diversity between Manchester and Salford in the way that SSPP was structured, organised and services provided. Variations existed in the staffing arrangements, partnerships, monitoring approaches and leadership styles. Findings show that where quantitative data required nationally were rigorously collected by the teenage pregnancy teams at the sites, there was clear evidence of movement towards the targets and several examples of unique services and innovative practice. For example the uptake of support packages did increase over the 3 years, new roles with partnership agencies were established and the introduction of posts like the young father’s worker began to have an impact. There were some areas of incomplete data, and some areas where progress towards targets appeared to be less successful. Following thematic analysis, focus group and face to face interview data have suggested why this is the case
