Outcomes beyond evaluation: The impetus and measure of relationships within alternative provisions

Johnston, Craig; Nolty, Tara

Abstract

In the context of rising interest in Alternative Provisions (APs) amongst policymakers and researchers in England, this article examines social capital and accountability in this ‘new’ field of enquiry. APs stress the value of supportive relationships for the generation of trust, belonging, reciprocities, and a broadening of these aspects of social capital through close networks, but how are these to be portrayed through emerging accountability measures? We focus on the potential and limitations of social capital for encompassing more than measurable outcomes. The article will revisit social capital by analysing the original sites of the production of this theory and its significance to emerging policy processes and relationship-based practices in APs. We argue that as a metaphor for the positive consequences of relationships, social capital has a place in the knowledge and processes that underpin APs, but its significance rests in its ability to overcome the issues related to social segregation, power, and (school) exclusion.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 20, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Publication Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 25, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 25, 2023
• Journal: Youth
• Print ISSN: 2673-995X
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1183-1193
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/youth3040075
• Keywords: alternative provision; evaluation; social capital; youth; school exclusion
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11393022