Outcome Imps is led by Dr Helga Sneddon who has more than 20 years' experience of undertaking evaluations, and helping policy makers, commissioners and service providers to use evidence to improve outcomes.  She works with a small team of experienced Associates to deliver the skills and expertise needed for each project.  

Prior to setting up Outcome Imps, Helga spent 4.5 years at the Centre for Effective Services (CES), and 12 years at the Institute of Child Care Research at Queen's University Belfast where she headed up the parenting programme of research.  She is experienced in whole-sector strategic development, supporting evidence-informed policy and practice, and capacity building with service providers.  Previous projects have included:

• synthesizing the learning about improving outcomes for children and young people using prevention and early intervention approaches in 52 services
• supporting the design and implementation planning of the Early Intervention Transformation programme in N. Ireland
• working with the Irish government on developing and evaluating the national area based initiative to reduce child poverty
• examining public expenditure in services for children and young people for the N. Ireland Commissioner for Children
• reviewing Sure Start
• capacity building around self-evaluation and using evidence to improve service delivery with Big Lottery Impact of Alcohol projects
• service design for supporting fathers, separated parents, parents with mental health issues or whose children have challenging behaviour
• developing and running development programmes on strategic planning, implementing effective practice, sourcing and using evidence, and knowledge transfer
• leading on large scale research projects examining the effects of parenting programmes, therapeutic interventions, implementation of policy, outcomes for children in care and maltreatment.