Table 1 Outcomes chain matrix (for one outcome as an illustrative example)

New Start facilitators are in post

Someone is employed by a stroke service to deliver the New Start intervention as a facilitator for 12 months.

A facilitator is:

• Willing to support stroke survivors through a programme of supported self-management (the New Start intervention)

• Willing and able to attend the New Start training course

• Employed in this role for a minimum of 2 days per week (0.4wte)

A facilitator has some stroke-specific knowledge that includes the causes and short- and long-term consequences of a stroke.

Whether:

Stroke services are given guidance on the desired attributes required of a New Start facilitator, and on the minimum time required for the delivery of the intervention.

Whether:

Stroke services are willing or able to recruit a facilitator according to the guidance given to them.

Facilitators can attend the training course.

A: LoTS2Care team provide guidance to stroke service and managers about the desired attributes of New Start facilitators.

A: LoTS2Care team provide the dates of the New Start training course to stroke services prior to recruitment.

A: Stroke services identify or recruit a facilitator following local processes.

£ Funding (site) – to employ a facilitator

☺ Management – to recruit an appropriate facilitator

☺ Human resources personnel – to support the employment process

☺ LoTS2Care team – to provide guidance about the facilitator role and dates for the training course

Interviews with managers to ask if enough guidance was given to enable them to take appropriate action, and to check whether a facilitator is in place according to the success criteria.