Crime Reduction Programme
Delivering On Track
On Track is a long term initiative aimed at children at risk of getting
involved in crime. This report is focused on evidence in the early stages of the project. It identifies the lessons learnt from On Track regarding setting-up and managing large-scale programmes of this kind.
Title: Delivering On Track
Author: Home Office RDS
Series: Development and Practice Report 12
Number of pages: 10
Date Published: February 2004
Process and early implementation issues
The On Track evaluations show that factors contributing to the successful evaluation and implementation of large scale projects include:
creating effective joined up policy
setting realistic and achievable goals both nationally and locally
finding local solutions and developing risk management strategies
supporting implementation by providing support to projects
establishing project staff and information systems to support evaluation.
Other implementation issues the evaluations highlight include:
A lack of joined up thinking between those implementing On Track nationally and managers and practitioners delivering the programme locally and between agencies involved in the local implementation of On Track.
Political pressures to deliver quickly resulted in unrealistic goals and time-scales being set, leading to predictable slippage.
More substantive guidance and support from Central and Regional Government could have improved implementation and limited delays
Community consultation and engagement in the initial stages of the programme was limited, resulting in local need being defined primarily by professionals.
Impact and delivery of the On Track programme
The On Track projects aimed, over a three-year period, to develop and implement 693 interventions and strands. During the evaluation period at least 57% (388) of these interventions and strands of work had been delivered and 250,646 attendances had been recorded across the programme.
There was some evidence that the behaviour of children involved in On Track interventions had improved. Though caution needs to be taken in measuring impact at this early stage of the programme.
The majority of work has focused on developing services for children. However, all projects have also developed indirect work with parents
Projects had a variety of difficulties to overcome to ensure delivery was achieved including maintaining staffing levels, managing difficulties with partners and securing good quality accommodation.
Getting a copy
Download "Delivering On Track" from the Home Office
RDS website 
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Last update: 26/02/04