Evaluation as a benefit: stories from the frontline Social Benefit Bonds
Jan 18, 2016
Evaluation as a benefit: stories from the frontlineSocial Benefit Bonds
What is a Social Benefit Bond (SBB)?
More than 50 per cent (over $1 billion) of FACS investment in services is done via NGOs
Children and young people in OOHC risen from 9,273 as at 30 June 2002 to 20,022 at 30 June 2013
Why out-of-home care?
20,022 children and young people in care at 30 June 2015
NSW has the highest rate of removals and highest rates of children in care
Many children remain in care until 18 years of age
Research – poor outcomes for many children who grow up in care
Aims of NSW SBB
Scope of the evaluation
Process evaluation
Outcomes evaluation
Outcomes comparison
Economic & financial
evaluation
Alignment with the future
The permanent placement principles set out the order of preference for the permanent placement of a child or young person as:
• family preservation• family restoration• guardianship relative & kinship care• open adoption (for non-Aboriginal children)• parental responsibility to the Minister.
About Newpin
• evidence-based family restoration and preservation model
• breaking intergenerational cycles of abuse and • key points of difference with other crisis
interventions • funded by UnitingCare for 12 years• SBB enables expansion contingent on realisation
of outcomes.
Newpin SBB results
In the first two years of the SBB Newpin has:• restored 66 children in OOHC to their families• prevented children from 35 families entering
OOHC • restoration rate = 62% (vs 25% counterfactual)• return to investors = 8.9%• expansion of Newpin to the Central Coast• 2 additional centres will open in the next 12
months (ahead of schedule).
Evaluation and evolution
Explicit focus on outcomes and evaluation required significant program evolution with respect to:• program culture• the UnitingCare organisation• practice.
There is value in reflecting on:• the context for change and how change was
realised and supported.
Supporting change
• began discussions around the rationale for change and piloted change early
• introduced new reporting mechanisms within a realistic timescale
• provided training and ongoing support for assessment and data collection
• established good clinical supervision• advanced support for trauma-informed practice.
The joy of innovation
The Urbis evaluation of the Newpin bond has documented practice innovation and adaptation:• working with both partners• working with school-aged siblings• home visiting post-restoration• father’s outreach workers• improved information sharing and more regular
case conferences with FACS.
Agenda setting!
The Newpin SBB suggests important ways that government and NGOs can collaborate to improve program results:• data exchange• program evaluation data shared with providers at
site level• build sector capacity to interpret data and expect
continuous improvement• explore outcomes-based funding (requires
outcomes data)