The SHANARRI wellbeing indicators provide a structured way to understand children and young people’s experiences. However, one of the biggest challenges for professionals is knowing whether SHANARRI is actually improving outcomes in practice.
Measuring wellbeing is not straightforward. It involves both qualitative insight and consistent data, making it essential to approach assessment in a structured and meaningful way.
The Challenge of Measuring Wellbeing
Wellbeing is complex and influenced by many factors. Unlike academic attainment, it cannot be measured through a single metric.
Professionals must consider:
- Behaviour and emotional wellbeing
- Engagement in learning and activities
- Relationships with peers and adults
- Physical and mental health
- Sense of belonging and inclusion
This makes it difficult to assess progress without a clear framework and consistent recording.
Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
Measuring SHANARRI effectively requires a combination of approaches.
Quantitative data may include:
- Attendance and participation rates
- Recorded incidents or concerns
- Engagement in activities
Qualitative information includes:
- Observations from staff
- Feedback from young people
- Professional judgement
- Contextual understanding of behaviour and change
Both types of information are important. Together, they provide a fuller picture of wellbeing.
Linking Actions to Outcomes
A key part of measuring SHANARRI is understanding how actions lead to outcomes. Professionals need to be able to demonstrate that the support provided is making a difference.
This involves:
- Recording observations consistently
- Linking information to the relevant SHANARRI indicators
- Reviewing progress over time
- Adjusting support where needed
Without this link, it becomes difficult to show whether interventions are effective.
The Role of Consistent Data
Consistency is essential when measuring wellbeing. When information is recorded in different ways or across multiple systems, it becomes harder to analyse and compare.
Challenges may include:
- Incomplete or inconsistent records
- Difficulty accessing information across teams
- Time required to gather data for reporting
- Limited visibility of trends and patterns
These challenges can reduce confidence in the data and limit its usefulness.
Supporting Measurement Through Structured Reporting
To measure SHANARRI effectively, organisations need systems that support consistent and structured recording.
Geco Connect helps by organising observations within the SHANARRI framework, allowing teams to build a clearer evidence base over time. This supports both qualitative and quantitative assessment, making it easier to track progress and demonstrate outcomes.
It also provides leadership teams with greater visibility of trends, supporting more informed decision-making.
Understanding What is Working
Ultimately, measuring SHANARRI is about understanding what is working and where improvements are needed.
When organisations can:
- Capture information consistently
- Analyse patterns over time
- Link actions to outcomes
- Demonstrate progress clearly
they are better equipped to support children and young people effectively.
See SHANARRRI in Practice
If you would like to see how organisations are measuring and evidencing wellbeing through the SHANARRI indicators, Geco Connect can help.
Book a demo to see how it works in practice.