PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH AND EVALUATION Working out what to do Working out if we did it well – and how to make it better Dr Marion Norton

Aim today Using action ideas emerging from the conference, we will explore ways to measure the real value of what we do that are congruent with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander world views. How can this information be used to guide our thinking, planning and decision making?

What should we do? Action research What’s the problem? Why is it a problem? What do we want it to look like instead? Who decides?Who has a stake? WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO ……………………………………

Problem: Silence, secrets, taboo Why is it a problem?  Doesn’t go away - Doesn’t stop  Grows bigger and burns a hole  Causes anger, shame, violence, self-harm, loss of dignity, identity, trust  Limits growth – education, pride, accomplishments  Damages physical and emotional health

What would it take to break the silence? WHO HAS A STAKE IN THIS? At your table, take the role of a stakeholder and answer the ques tion child teenager mum Auntie police officer teacher Elder Recognised Entity child safety officer doctor dad clergy friend sister/ brother mother-in-law SCAN/JIRT grandparent community workers sports club

Participatory Action Research Principles: social change, participation, power of knowledge, collaboration Process Puts power in the hands of those most affected by the research Involves everyone actively as equal partners Self-reflecting, collecting views, understanding perspectives Australian Institute of Family Studies Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) 2015 Participatory Action ResearchParticipatory Action Research

Department of Social Services 2010 On PAR: Using Participatory Action Research to improve Early Intervention. Phil Crane and Maureen O’Reagan

Examples of Best Practice PAR What would it take to engage young people in harm minimisation strategies in Rural/Remote communities? What would it take to improve young people’s engagement with employment? Research in action: A guide to best practice in participatory action research Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, 2012

Working out if we did it well – and how to make it better eVALUation What do WE value?

Did we do it well? Foundations Did we have what we needed to do it? Process Did we DO the best thing? What we did and how we did it. OutcomeDid we get where we wanted to go? What happened as a result? We changed behaviour or circumstances reduced the problem and harm increased positive benefits

You have arrived!

What would it look like if we succeeded ? We wish to advise that the 20?? Batiba Guwiyal Conference is cancelled The flame is extinguished Congratulations to everyone

What would success look like to YOU? Write your view of success on a post-it Say what role you have – real or role play Stick it onto your Table Mat Look at others. Same? Different?

What we value - measuring worth Wellbeing Safety Identity – self-esteem Belonging Dignity – independence – power over own destiny Health and longevity Economic security Contribution Different folk – different strokes: Different success criteria

Outcomes We know the flame is extinguished when: children say no to sexual violence and report it adults listen to children and take action communities take responsibility to care for their children Are children game enough to speak out? Are they safe if they do? Are adults listening to children and taking action? Are communities taking responsibility? Where is it working well? What can we learn? If not – why not? How can we fix it?

Then Queensland children reach their potential Children say no to sexual violence and report it Adults listen to children and take action Communities take responsibility for their children Suite of quality services - break the silence (agreed through Participatory Action Research) Batiba Guwiyal Program Logic O UTPUT O UTCOME I NPUTS B ROAD COMMUNITY GOAL Robust systems and processes to support the journey

What we value – measuring merit What is a quality service? Easy to get to Makes me feel comfortable - Indigenous staff - value my culture - respect me - communicate well Expertise -know what I need -listen -know what they are doing and why Different folk – different strokes: Different quality criteria

Program logic Is the backbone of evaluation – and of good policy/program formulation Should be based on research/ knowledge to show it works If we do this very well, it will lead to that How can this information be used to guide our thinking, planning and decision making?

What to do more of, less of or not at all Is it WORTH the effort? Is it the BEST use of resources? Who is doing it well? Is it causing harm?

We are all evaluators Evaluation as a guide Information gives us feedback Confirms our intuition Evaluation as judgement Step back. Take an objective look.

Find out more The Australasian Evaluation Society Free seminars Workshops Conference Journal Good big book: Funnell S & Rogers P Purposeful Program Theory: Effective use of theories of change and logic models. (2011) Mini book (available as a Kindle download) Davidson J: Actionable Evaluation Basics: Getting succinct answers to the most important questions Actionable Evaluation Basics: Getting succinct answers to the most important questions For questions and guidance Marion Norton: